Maxine Sullivan - Spring Isn't Everything (1989)

Bass – Terry Peoples; Drums – Bill Stowe; Leader, Piano, Arranged By – Loonis McGlohon; Vibraphone – Jim Stack; Vocals – Maxine Sullivan. Recorded July 26 & 27, 1986.

Maxine Sullivan's final Audiophile recording (which has been reissued on CD) finds the 75-year-old singer (less than a year before her death) still in good voice. With accompaniment by pianist Loonis McGlohon, vibraphonist Jim Stack, bassist Terry Peoples and drummer Bill Stowe, Sullivan sings straightforward renditions of 11 Harry Warren songs with lyrics by Al Dubin, Mack Gordon, Ira Gershwin, Arthur Freed, Johnny Burke, Johnny Mercer and Ralph Blane. The interpretations are rather concise (from 1:51 to 3:35) and contain no real surprises, but Sullivan does bring joy to the lyrics. Among the tunes are "You're Getting to Be a Habit With Me," "Lulu's Back in Town," "You Must Have Been a Beautiful Baby" and "I'll String Along With You." ~Scott Yanow