DINAH WASHINGTON
The Best Of ... (Hip-O / Universal)
Reviewed by John Sekerka

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Though this collection starts with "What a Difference a Day Made" and ends with "Unforgettable," two signature pieces where Washington battles smothering lush orchestration to delivers the goods, there is something between the bookends to make this more than just another budget best of comp. Though the big band pop sound was the key to Washington's latter day chart success, she was a glorious blues, soul and jazz singer, and when given half a chance could really run with a tune. It is on a couple of killer duets with Brook Benton that the spice in the woman really comes out. "Baby, You Got What It Takes" and "A Rockin' Good Way" blow the rest of the material outta the water. But alas, the singers just couldn't get along, and these singles is all we have of what could have been a sizzling relationship in song.

© 2002 - John Sekerka