By Steven Suskin
14 Sep 2008

Klea Blackhurst/Billy Stritch: Dreaming of a Song [Ghostlight 8-3311]
Just recently I was sitting at the keyboard — no, not the computer, the old fashioned keyboard made of artificial ivory — playing through my favorite 15-or-so Hoagy Carmichael songs. Along comes "Dreaming of a Song," Klea Blackhurst and Billy Stritch's collection of the music of Hoagy Carmichael. I never tire of playing through those pure and inevitable-sounding melodies with their sometimes deceptively tricky harmonies. Let me say, however, that the talented Mr. Stritch plays them ever so much better than I could hope to. Which makes this album very much welcome.

"Georgia on My Mind," "Lazy River," "Star Dust," "How Little We Know," "Skylark." Carmichael was not the finest songwriter in the history of the world, no, but his best songs are as good as just about anything. Klea Blackhurst brings some complications to the proceedings. She is one of those singers who see fit to pack a little Merman into her act. She does extremely well on many of the tracks, but here and there she turns bright, brassy and blaring. Those who love this sort of thing are likely to love this sort of thing; I, alas, have an adverse reaction. This happens on only a few tracks, fortunately; but it does put a damper on, tempering my enthusiasm accordingly.

For Stritch, who provides vocals, piano accompaniment and arrangements, nothing but kudos down the line. The booklet includes an informative and pert liner note by Barry Day, the Noël Coward expert who instigated this project. And there are two especially flavorful photos of the singers, on the front and back covers. But it's Hoagy's party, with assists from the Messrs. Mercer, Loesser, and assorted others.