Ernie Andrews - Great City (CD)

All Music Guide

Ernie Andrews has been underrecorded during periods of his career, but in the 1990s, the veteran singer was fortunate enough to make two excellent CDs for the Muse label. This outing finds Andrews particularly inspired, even if he occasionally cannot help imitating Al Hibbler's odd British accent. Frank Wess (on tenor and flute) is a major asset on this date, and the rhythm section (pianist Richard Wyands, bassist Peter Washington and drummer Lewis Nash) is supportive and swinging. Andrews performs standards and offbeat material alike; the latter category includes "The Great City," Percy Mayfield's "The Jug and I Got Up This Morning," Red Callender's "Please Let Me Forget (Pastel)," and Freddy Cole's "If I Had Your Love." Highly recommended.

- Scott Yanow, All Music Guide