Originally issued as
Anita Sings the Most, this album was picked up by the
American Recording Society and sent out to its members as
Anita Sings for Oscar. This was her fifth album for
Norman Granz's
Verve Records, the label that supplied most of the
ARS releases and, some say, her best. Pairing
O'Day and
Peterson was akin to joining
Vladimir Horowitz with
Arturo Toscanini. It was a mystery as to who would finish first on the upbeat numbers, as both liked to keeping matters moving along at a rather brisk pace. This contest is afoot on the opening medley of
"They Can't Take That Away from Me," "'S Wonderful," and
"Love Me or Leave Me," where they both manage to finish in a tie.
O'Day was so much a dyed-in-the-wool
jazz singer that she had no problem staying with the
jazz licks of
Peterson's combo, which at this time included bassist
Ray Brown,
Herb Ellis on guitar, and the rare presence of a drummer, here
John Poole. This album is noted for its swinging, something that both
O'Day and
Peterson had few peers at. But the session also demonstrates that
O'Day could do well with
ballads, a skill that was often overshadowed by her affinity for the fast-paced material. Her work on
"Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered" is simply enchanting. This meeting of two
jazz icons results in a major benefit for
jazz fans. ~ Dave Nathan
