Review by Mark Romano

This album is comprised of two Stash LPs, Songs for New Lovers and The Colors of My Life. Dardanelle's fine piano playing is evident from the downbeat and continues throughout the two recording dates. Her signature light touch on the piano is accompanied by her crystalline, pure vocals. She puts the listener right at ease with her comfortable phrasing and timing. Her skills are even more accentuated by the fact that she is backed by some of the best musicians in the business. Bucky Pizzarelli's impeccable soloing and comping are the marks of one of the greatest guitar players in jazz. His swinging ability is renowned, but he is equally at ease in the world of bossa nova. Listen to his licks on "Quiet Nights of Quiet Stars," and especially in the break on "Just the Way You Are" and Cole Porter's "I Concentrate on You." George Duvivier's bass playing is always impressive, engaging, and inventive. Grady Tate has that special ability to push, drive, and coax the beat without rushing it. The swinging here is of the highest order and it takes you where you want to go with it. The second half of the album features Phil Bodner on tenor sax and Howard Collins on guitar. The playing here is also quite good and enjoyable throughout. However, the first session, tracks one-nine, seems to be a little more inspired and swings with more drive and momentum. All in all, a good two-fer and highly recommended.

Dardanelle – The Colors of My Life

Label: Stash Records – 032501154128

Format: CD, Compilation

Country: US

Released: 1991

Genre: Jazz, Pop

Style: Vocal, Easy Listening, Ballad, Bossa Nova, Swing

1 It Could Happen to You 3:04

2 That Old Devil Called Love 4:21

3 For a Girl 2:39

4 Quiet Nights of Quiet Stars 4:06

5 Just the Way You Are 4:08

6 You Stepped Out of a Dream 3:07

7 Spring Can Really Hang You Up the Most 5:04

8 I Concentrate on You 4:03

9 Come in from the Rain 4:56

10 Where or When 3:20

11 Out of This World 5:01

12 The Need to Be 3:43

13 Something Cool 3:35

14 The Colors of My Life 4:09

15 It's All Right with Me 4:21

16 Memphis in June 3:54

17 Baby, Baby All the Time 3:07

18 It Never Entered My Mind 3:15

19 You Never Fall in Love Again 2:23

Phonographic Copyright ℗ – Stash Records

Bass – George Duvivier

Drums – Grady Tate

Guitar – Bucky Pizzarelli (tracks: 1 to 9), Howard Collins (tracks: 10 to 19)

Producer – Bernard Brightman, David Weiner, Will Friedwald

Tenor Saxophone – Phil Bodner (tracks: 10 to 19)

Vocals/Piano – Dardanelle

A compilation of two earlier Stash LPs, Songs for New Lovers and The Colors of My Life.