The selection alternates between the extrovert and the introspective, allowing Criswell a wide range of voice and interpretation, from soubrette in Kern's lovely ''In the heart of the dark'' and low mezzo in Schwartz's ''You and the Night and the Music'', to French chanteuse in ''I love Paris'', where the Ambrosian Singers are placed at a distance to suggest the breaking dawn on the Paris skyline, and a somewhat suspect Fraulein in Gershwin's ''Lorelei'', where her cod German gets partially hooked in the throat. Her 'belters' shatter glass, opening with an exuberant ''Give him the Oo-la-la'' in Porter's sassiest vein and concluding with ''I got rhythm'', where McGlinn's research reveals no recorded evidence to suggest that Ethel Merman belted out her top C across 16 bars. Shame! For a mellower Criswell, try her effective interpretation of ''He's the right guy'' in Porter's favourite beguine rhythm.

Rare verses and refrains, idiomatic playing from the London Sinfonietta, revelatory research in the notes by Miles Kreuger, excellent recording and many fine original orchestrations, including a tolling bell to underline the note of regret in ''Ev'ry time we say goodbye'', add their own distinctive marks to this issue.

-- Adrian Edwards, Gramophone [4/1994]

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Track Listing
1. Jenny
2. Lorelei, The
3. I Got Rhythm
4. Give Him The Oo-La-La
5. He's A Right Guy
6. Ev'ry Time We Say Goodbye
7. Leader Of A Big Time Band, The
8. I Love Paris
9. Katie Went To Haiti
10. Dream With Me
11. In The Heart Of The Dark
12. You And The Night And The Music

Personnel includes: Kim Criswell (vocals), John McGlinn (conductor), Ambrosian Chorus, London Sinfonietta.