Anne Murray All Of Me CD

Following in the footsteps of Rod Stewart, who has enjoyed considerable success with his nostalgic forays into the world of pop songs from the early 20th century, Canadian singer Anne Murray contributes her own take on a variety of pop classics with 2005's ALL OF ME. (The album was originally released in Canada as I'LL BE SEEING YOU.)

Murray's classy, casual delivery is ideally suited to songs as varied as "Dream a Little Dream of Me" (made famous by the Mamas & the Papas), which gets a jazz-combo treatment, and Judy Garland's signature tune, "Over the Rainbow," with its ethereal strings/piano/clarinet arrangement. Murray's voice is reminiscent of Joni Mitchell at times, and her choice of material ranges from the beautifully evocative "Twilight Time" to the little-heard 1930s gem "My Buddy," which Murray poignantly dedicates to the memory of her friend, Cynthia McReynolds. The second disc of this double-CD set is a collection of Murray's own classics, with songs dating from 1973 to 1994, including "Snowbird" and "You Needed Me." Throughout this down-tempo and often touching release, Murray's stature as a peerless interpreter of light, country-tinged pop remains unmatched.

Recording information: Phase One Recording Studios, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

Photographer: Monic Richard.

Arrangers: Anne Murray; Tommy West; Brian Ahern.

2cds: 1=Mew Recordings Of Pop Standards; 2=Gh

Personnel: Anne Murray (vocals); Michael Francis (acoustic guitar, electric guitar); Douglas Perry, Doug Perry (viola); Bob DeAngelis, Bob DeAngelis (clarinet); John MacLeod (trumpet); Doug Riley (piano, Hammond b-3 organ); Peter Bleakney (bass guitar); Bob Mann (guitar, acoustic guitar, electric guitar); Aidan Mason (acoustic guitar, electric guitar, classical guitar); Carol Fujino, Annalee Patipatanakoon (violin); Don Reed (fiddle); Roman Borys (cello); Tom Szczesniak (accordion); Vern Dorge (clarinet, alto saxophone, tenor saxophone); Guido Basso (trumpet, flugelhorn); Laurie Bower (trombone); Steve Sexton (keyboards); Brian Barlow (vibraphone, marimba, percussion); Gary Craig (drums, percussion); Jeff Wolpert (percussion); Tommy West, Vivian Williams, Colina Phillips, Debbie Schaal Ankeny (background vocals).

Audio Mixer: Jeff Wolpert.