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Rather than being guests, Cleo Laine and John Dankworth have lent their names to the Duke Ellington Orchestra, giving them considerable control over the session; while Mercer Ellington is listed as leader, the conductor and principal arranger is Dankworth. One unfortunate result of this arrangement is that some of the offerings are "based on variations or adaptations" of the original Ellington and/or Billy Strayhorn compositions. Thus, "Chelsea Bridge" comes out "September Rain," and "Take the 'A' Train" is "Cleo's 'A' Train." Neither come off well - and the latter title is presumptuous. "We're Rockin' in Rhythm" has its moments, especially Dankworth's clarinet solo in the style of Jimmy Hamilton. The best "variation" is "Love Call," based on "Creole Love Call"…

Cleo Laine has always had a beautiful voice with a very wide range and she sounds her best in jazz settings. Laine isn't that much of a jazz singer herself since she does not improvise (her scatting passages tend to be played in unison with her husband, John Dankworth) but she swings. Jazz is one of her best sets of the '90s, teaming her with five reeds (including Dankworth), guitarist Larry Koonse and one of two rhythm sections. Gerry Mulligan guests on "Walking Shoes" and "Midnight Sun," Clark Terry is exuberant on "Just A-Sittin' and A-Rockin'" and a medium-tempo version of "A Child Is Born," Toots Thielemans is a strong asset on three songs, Jane Ira Bloom co-stars on "I Told You So" and Mark Whitfield is on the two Terry numbers. Throughout, Cleo Laine is heard in prime form, not offering surprises as much as confirmation of her love for jazz.

Every summer day, Clifford sets out on fun-filled adventures with his friends and learns big lessons about friendship, loyalty, and other ways to BE BIG! In these five playful stories, Clifford discovers that one of the best ways to BE BIG is to always be truthful. From Emily Elizabeth teaching Clifford that it doesn’t help to hide things, to T-Bone learning to do the right thing, to Cleo learning a lesson when she plays tricks on her friends, cuddly Clifford leads the way for neighbors and friends around Birdwell Island to learn how to BE BIG by always being kind to each other and being truthful! Includes five stories: Special Delivery, Welcome to Birdwell Island, Doing the Right Thing, The Dog Who Cried Woof, and Jetta’s Sweater.

More elaborate, mid-'80s session that accents Cleo Laine's interpretative abilities. It showcases both her immaculate technique and her ability to build and create moods, pace songs, and embellish lyrics.