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Title: Not Brownie's best ballad work
Review: Clifford Brown was one of the great ballad masters on his instrument. There is ample evidence of this across his recorded work. This collection is not a good sampling of it. Of the 14 tracks, five are from the "Clifford Brown With Strings" session that was marred with Neal Hefti's schmaltzy, dated arrangements and not much improvisation by Brownie. Another six are showcases for singers Helen Merrill, Sarah Vaughan and Dinah Washington. One, the wonderful minor blues "Lands End" is not a ballad. That leaves just two, "Ghost of a Chance" (nice) and "Time" (questionable). Unless you want the female vocals and Neal Hefti, this set is not for you.
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