by Scott Yanow
Etta Jones' last 20 years found her recording one consistently soulful jazz album after another, usually with the close partnership of tenor-saxophonist Houston Person. For what would be her final recording, she pays tribute to Billie Holiday with renditions of nine standards. Except during the last part of "Fine and Mellow" when she does a remarkable imitation of Lady Day, Etta Jones sings in her usual bluesy style, staying as individual as always. She makes such songs as "All of Me," "I Cried for You" and "Them There Eyes" sound fresh and relevant. The singer passed away on the day that Sings Lady Day was officially released and she sounds in surprisingly good form throughout this set, finishing off her career on top.