Had Johnny Mercer lived, he would have been the logical choice to write these comments, and he would have done so with relish and graciousness. That's the kind of man he was. It is also likely he would have suggested the album title be changed to read, "Johnny Mercer Loves Marlene VerPlanck," and even been inspired to write a new song just for Marlene to include in this album because Mercer, who discovered many prominent singers and musicians, proved he knew a consummate artist when he heard one.

I don't know who discovered Ms. VerPlanck, but I first became enthusiastically aware of her exceptional talent, and was enchanted, when she appeared on an Alec Wilder radio series. I learned there had been an excellent but deleted record album, supper club performances, concerts, and lucrative studio and "commercials" involvement, all the proper training; but this so called "inside" singer needed wider exposure. Wilder's programs plus a subsequent LP on Audiophile, "You'd Better Love Me," did much to bring this artist to the forefront. If you don't have the previous LP, it is equally as good as the one you are now holding, which in my opinion is praise indeed.

Like Johnny Mercer, Marlene VerPlanck is an original. She may have been influenced or guided by someone• most singers are • but so far as I can determine, she sings uniquely like no one else. What a pleasure to be spared the tiresome task of explaining the resemblance of a voice or style to Mildred, Billie, Ella, Sarah, and so on. This is Marlene only, who seems to be in some beautiful world of her own, expressing poetic beauty and wit of a genius who belongs to the world.

My personal favorite songs in this album are "Skylark" and "I'm Old Fashioned." No, they're "Early Autumn" and "Day In. Day Out." Jeepers, creepers, my confusion over a favorite choice, you will agree, is understandable; but not so with Marlene and her well chosen accompanists, who are all outstanding instrumentalists and know precisely what they are doing. This session was recorded at the end of a one month engagement of togetherness at New York's Michael Pub.

Owner Gil Wuest's idea of presenting Marlene in an evening of the songs of Mercer was most successful. New York critic Rex Reed, after showering Marlene with praise, claimed that Tony Monte, Bucky Pizzarelli, Milt Hinton and Butch Miles comprised "one of the best jazz quartets ever assembled for a single club date."

This, then, becomes a real "collector's item," meaning that it should remain permanently available to the collector. Each talent involved is immense, and collectively their affection for the composer is expressed in the most professional and tasteful fashion.

-Jim Hartley

What could be better than one of the finest vocalists on the scene today singing songs by everybody's favorite lyricist, Johnny Mercer, with an unbeatable group of musicians backing her up? We are privileged to present Marlene VerPlanck's second release on the Audiophile label. If you have enjoyed this LP, we recommend, along with Marlene's "You'd Better Love Me" (AP|ACD 121) other releases by Hugh Shannon, Maxine Sullivan, Dick Haymes, Freddy Cole, Barbara Lea, Ronny White, and many others. For a free catalog, just drop us a request at the address below. -George H. Buck, Jr.