Body and Soul

Body and Soul

Lady Day slows down even more than usual on this bewitching 1957 album, with three songs luxuriating past the six-minute mark. Her intimate backing ensemble drifts along at the most unhurried of paces, while she lingers especially over “Darn That Dream,” holding court atop the fragile scene set by Barney Kessel’s dewy strands of guitar. Yet she remains playful as well, drawing out her gentle rasp on “Moonlight In Vermont” and introducing a bluesy, conversational edge to “Gee Baby, Ain’t I Good to You.”