Betty Buckley

Here, the classy cabaret singer Betty Buckley collaborates with jazz pianist Kenny Werner and comes up with a set that is as cozy and reflective as it is creative. Buckley is not a jazz vocalist, but Werner's work here is very impressive, and his jazz charts for the accomplished backing band should have other vocalists clamoring to work with him. Check out the hip reading of the decidedly un-hip "Surrey with the Fringe on Top" and see Buckley and Werner at the top of their game. This version has a number of fine Rhapsody exclusives, including two cuts associated with the great Johnny Mandel.