This 1994 album from the great jazz pianist Marian McPartland marks the first time anyone has ever recorded an entire album of the legendary Mary Lou Williams' timeless music (besides the composer/pianist herself). Of the 14 tunes in this heartfelt tribute, 11 were penned by Ms. Williams, most of them based on the blues. Of the 3 non-MLW cuts, 2 were favorites of hers: It's a Grand Night for Swingin' (her theme song) and My Blue Heaven; the other, Thenrody, is a McPartland floating waltz dedicated to Mary Lou. The stripped down sound of the piano/bass/drums format ensures delightful treatment of such classics as What's Your Story, Morning Glory?, to which someone else's later and more famous tune, Black Coffee, seems eerily similar (Hmmmmmm...). A must-have for jazz fans or any fans of great American music!

Mcpartland,Marian