by Ken DrydenConnie Evingson was delighted to discover that one of her musical partners, tenor saxophonist Dave Karr, had known pianist/composer Dave Frishberg since they attended the University of Minnesota in the early 1950s. A record date was set up for the vocalist to cover fourteen songs from Frishberg's vast songbook, with the composer at the piano and Karr also on hand. The performances are brief and to the point, allowing for some short, effective solos by the band. Evingson captures the essence of Frishberg's lyrics, appropriately sassy in "Peel Me a Grape" (without overdoing it), delighting in the exotic "Zanzibar" (with Karr switching to flute) and swinging like mad in "Can't Take You Nowhere" (a signature lyric by Frishberg, a vocal adaptation of an old Tiny Kahn song called "T.N.T.". Frishberg introduces "Zoot Walks In" by narrating the opening chorus' lyrics, with Karr and alto saxophonist Mark Henderson providing a swinging backing for Evingson's lively vocal. Connie Evingson's strengths as a ballad interpreter are put to the test with Johnny Mandel's lush "You Are There" (with a sentimental lyric by Frishberg) and the pianist's introspective "Listen Here." Connie Evingson, who has recorded a number of CDs for her Minnehaha Music label, is clearly deserving of wider recognition with this delightful Dave Frishberg songbook.