One of the most unique and influential female vocalists, who still can be heard in many of today’s singers, is that of pianist/singer Blossom Dearie (1924-2009). This 2 disc set contains 96 tracks, ranging from sessions with Dave Lambert, Stan Getz, Kai Winding and her male counterpart King Pleasure as well as her albums in the 50s and 60s. from her classic debut Once Upon A Summertime with Mundell Lowe/g, Ray Brown/b and Ed Thigpen/dr has her cooing through “Surrey With The Fringe On Top” while the same year her Give Him The Ooh La La with Herb Ellis/b and Ray Brown she Betty Boops through “Between The Devil and the Deep Blue Sea” . She released 3 incredibly swinging albums in 1959, one with drummer Joe Jones and bassist Brown with a drop dead reading of “Lover Man”, then one with a clever tribute to the underappreciated LA composers Betty Comdon and Adolph Green, including a seductive “Just In Time”. The unconventional meeting with Russell Garcia’s orchestra shows her in a different light, but her girl next door humor comes out on “Rhode Island Is Famous For You” and “Too Good For The Average Man”. If the world of jazz could be compared to Archie Comics, Blossom Dearie is the Betty to most singers’ Veronica.