"The music on this out-of-print LP from the defunct Inner City label was recorded in Japan and has been released by several other record companies since. Abbey Lincoln's first record in a decade, the set features the very original singer joined by a couple of Japanese players (pianist Hiromasa Suzuki and bassist Kunimitsu Inaba) plus drummer Al Foster, percussionist Mtume and the horns (soprano, tenor and flute) of Dave Liebman. Abbey Lincoln wrote or co-composed all eight selections, best-known of which is "People in Me." Every Abbey Lincoln recording is well worth picking up for her sincerity, credibility and talent make each of her dates memorable in their own way." (Allmusic)
"This 1992 album was Abbey Lincoln's third for Verve and another fine display of her musical vision. The set consists primarily of her own compositions. The arrangements vary throughout, depending on the needs of each song. Lincoln is supported by her core trio, with guest spots by trombonist J.J. Johnson, tenor saxophonist Stanley Turrentine, the Staple Singers, and the Noel Singers, a group made up of children. Lincoln revisits a couple numbers from earlier in her career, "Rainbow" and "People in Me." Her interpretive skills and emotional commitment to the material are such that she can even take on a familiar standard like "A Child Is Born" and make it her own. It's gratifying to see a major jazz label allowing Lincoln's musical vision to flourish and grow." (Allmusic)
"This was a pivotal work in the early-'60s African-American protest movement, and continues to be relevant. It represents a lesson in living as to how the hundreds of years prior were an unnecessary example of how oppression kept slaves and immigrants in general in their place. Vocalist Abbey Lincoln expresses this oppression as effectively with her thespian-based wordless vocals, and Oscar Brown's lyrics tell the grim story of the struggle of African-American for far too long. Musically, Roach assembled one of the greatest bands, from his own emerging ensemble with trombonist Julian Priester and trumpeter Booker Little, to the legendary Coleman Hawkins and lesser-known, underappreciated tenor saxophonist Walter Benton. Percussionists Ray Mantilla and Michael Olatunji gave the poetic pieces sung by Lincoln enough substance and spice to also refer to Afro-Cuban and South American prejudice and urgency for change." (Michael G. Nastos, Allmusic) NB: voor deze CD-versie is duidelijk een LP als master gebruikt.
De 76-jarige jazzzangeres selecteerde voor dit album persoonlijke songs uit de negen albums die ze in 15 jaar tijd voor Verve maakte en nam ze, met o.a. een excellerende Larry Campbell (gitaren) opnieuw op. "Misschien is het een teken van bescheidenheid dat ze haar CD inleidt met een nummer van een ander. Ze parkeert de woorden van "Blue Monk" traag maar zelfbewust en zonder aarzeling, daarin herken je de karakterzangeres. Onderin weerklinkt een bescheiden maar even zelfbewuste akoestische gitaar en mandoline (Larry Campbell). De rest van de plaat krijgen we alleen eigen composities. Al jaren beseffen we dat Abbey niet excelleert in het schrijven van noten en woorden, maar haar eigen ietwat stroeve repertoire ontgoochelde nooit. Hier lijkt het soms alsof ze het gestolen succes van Cassandra Wilson wat achterna holt (de slimme arrangementen!), maar dat is geen concurrentie: Abbeys dictie, voordracht en timing zijn zoveel grandiozer en comfortabeler. Een waar plezier om naar te luisteren." (De Morgen)
Een van de latere werken van deze door Billie Holiday geinspireerde jazz-zangeres.
"The most notable aspect to this fine effort by the 1980 Cedar Walton Trio (which is comprised of the pianist-leader, tenor saxophonist Bob Berg, bassist David Williams and drummer Billy Higgins) is that Abbey Lincoln takes vocals on four of the eight selections. Lincoln (who is in top form) introduces two of her songs ("Not in Love" and "Castles") and also interprets "In a Sentimental Mood" and Walton's tribute to Duke Ellington "The Maestro." Otherwise Walton's group plays a couple of common Thelonious Monk tunes, Jobim's "Sabia" and "On the Trail." A well-rounded and easily recommended set of advanced straightahead jazz." (Allmusic)
"This album is aimed at summing up Abbey's long career. Joining her are excellent, be it not well-known performers, plus the giant sax player Joe Lovano. But it is Lincoln's special interpretative powers that carry the day, as one would expect. The play list is rather unusual even for an iconoclast like Lincoln. There are tunes from the 1940s, traditionals, some romantic standards, and her own compositions. "Lucky to Be Me," from the musical "On the Town", features some ear-catching work by the rhythm section of Brandon McCune, John Ormond, and Jaz Sawyer. Another fine track is the traditional "Blackberry Blossoms" to which Lincoln has added her own lyrics. She is ably supported here by guest tenorist Lovano and guest guitarist Kendra Shank - also a singer of note. The album's coda is appropriate as Lincoln sings "Tender As A Rose" a cappella, letting her vocal chords stand on their own without benefit of instrumental accompaniment as she ends it with "as that's the way the story goes."" (D. Nathan, Allmusic)
Zangeres Lincoln straalt gerijpte zelfverzekerdheid uit; met Betty Carter wordt zij gezien als de schat-bewaarsters van vrouwelijk jazz-vocaal. CD met verassende elementen (tapdans en een cover van Dylans' Mr. Tambourine Man).
Jazz-zangeres uit Chicago die op deze cd nummers van haar inspiratiebron Billie Holiday uitstekend live vertoklt.
Deze gelouterde jazz-zangeres schrijft de meeste stukken zelf en geeft zich voelbaar bloot in haar werk. Naast haar vaste band ook opvallende gastrollen voor trompettist Nicholas Payton en Bobby Hutcherson op marimba en vibrafoon.
Bijna geheel gevuld met ballads, vrijwel steeds gearrangeerd voor groot orkest met daarbij 'n jazzcombo met Kenny Barron (p). Klef wordt 't, met dank aan Abbey's bijzondere, steeds net iets andere timbres en de speelse arrangementen, nooit.
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