SYLVIA SYMS - ... Then Along Came Bill : A Tribute to Bill Evans (1989) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Sylvia Syms sang everything from cabaret to pop and jazz during her long career, and this tribute to the pianist Bill Evans, recorded nearly a decade after his death and just a few years prior to her passing at the age of 79, is a fine effort. Accompanied by Evans' longtime bassist Eddie Gomez, Evans' final drummer Joe LaBarbera, pianist Mike Renzi, and several guests who recorded with the late pianist on occasion, Syms brings out the essence of each of the 14 songs, though only one is an Evans' composition. Syms, who often described herself as a saloon singer and counted Frank Sinatra among her admirers, has a slightly smoky voice with a touch of vibrato due to being in her late seventies, but she knows how to make the most of her pipes. Renzi wisely doesn't attempt to mimic Evans' style at the keyboard, while the guests include flugelhornist Art Farmer, harmonica player Toots Thielemans, guitarist Kenny Burrell, and drummer Grady Tate (who spells LaBarbera on four tracks). Among the highlights are the soft bossa nova treatment of "The Touch of Your Lips," the playful rendition of "A Sleepin' Bee," and the touching finale of "Waltz for Debby." by Ken Dryden  

Tracklist:

1 Like Someone in Love 3:23

Johnny Burke / James Van Heusen

2 My Romance 4:34

Lorenz Hart / Richard Rodgers

3 A Sleepin' Bee 5:01

Harold Arlen / Truman Capote

4 I Believe in You 5:13

Frank Loesser

5 Polka Dots and Moonbeams 5:40

Johnny Burke / James Van Heusen

6 Hi-Lili, Hi-Lo 5:18

Helen Deutsch / Bronislaw Kaper

7 How About You? 3:34

Ralph Freed / James Van Heusen / Burton Lane

8 The Touch of Your Lips 3:56

Ray Noble

9 My Foolish Heart 5:08

Ned Washington / Victor Young

10 But Beautiful 4:48

Johnny Burke / James Van Heusen

11 Nobody Else But Me 5:16

Oscar Hammerstein II / Jerome Kern

12 After You, Who? 3:25

Cole Porter

13 Lucky to Be Me 3:15

Leonard Bernstein / Betty Comden / Adolph Green

14 Waltz for Debby 2:04

Bill Evans / Gene Lees

Credits:

Kenny Burrell - Guitar (Acoustic), Guitar (Electric)

Art Farmer - Flugelhorn

Eddie Gomez - Bass (Acoustic)

Mike Renzi - Arranger, Conductor, Fender Rhodes, Piano

Sylvia Syms - Vocals

Grady Tate - Drums

Toots Thielemans - Harmonica