Betty Bryant now has 15 albums under her belt and BSH has to hold its head in shame as this is only the third one we've covered. However, as Betty is now 96 years old chances are that some of our reviewers weren't born when her recording career kicked off.
The late Ann Alex set the ball rolling with an enthusiastic review of Betty's 2019 album PROJECT 88 and I included 2024's LOTTA LIVIN' in my top ten vocals of that year. Nothin' Better to do is also a cert to be up there where the air is rarified.
You Are Not my First Love - the title gives you an idea where it's going. It swings along nicely with a Basie-like piano intro from the Cool Miss B as saxist, flautist Kyle dubbed her. The 'dubber' himself has a tasty solo as does 'Betty Cool', Simon and Winard. I Can't See For Looking, originally a hit for Nat 'King' Cole, the cool one has the same relaxed approach to the words and the music, Kyle blows soprano and there's more impressive basswork from Simon. I'm loving this album more and more as each track unfolds.
He May be Your Man is a Bryant original that incorporates a lot of well-known blues phrases. She sings then, she plays them and I get the impression she's lived them. More fine tenor. I Haven't Got Anything Better to do has one of the best ever lines: I think of him on alternate Thursdays, when I haven't got anything better to do - magic! Guitar and tenor over a bossa rhythm and some sensitive strings all go to make it rather special.
Time Was dates back to the mid-thirties. Kyle's flute adds to the Afro-Cuban groove. The voice sounds so beautifully young it's impossible to imagine her years but, then again, it takes age and experience to phrase so meaningfully. Mama Sue, composed by Bryant and Kyle, is a fun track describing the journey to a heavenly rib joint. Propulsive drums keep the beat going.
Thanks For You, first recorded by Frankie Laine back in his Mercury label days, is a good song, well worth reviving. Great voice and swinging piano. Awrite Then. A bluesy instrumental by Kyle with lots of solos including Guerrero on trumpet, Winard on drums and Betty laying down some nice chords.
Winter Warm from Bacharach and David has the strings back on board and a perfect vocal from this new kid on the block (well she once was and, vocally and piano-wise still knows her way around. All bets are off - this one is going to be riding high when this year's albums are rated. It's out now - grab it! Lance
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