That's Italian for I changed my mind. I like Jane Monheit very much. I have nearly every album, and "The Very Best of Jane Monheit" offers a good selection of her songs, but I previously dissed this collection for not being my favorite versions of each song.. I have listened to this album, and I enjoy it even though these are just not necessarily my favorite renditions. For one thing, there is an above average (for Jane) amount of scatting. I like when she does that and wish there were more of it on all her albums. For another, This must be her fourth album with "Over the Rainbow" on it! I prefer the version on the "Live at the Rainbow Room" album.

This album, as with all such collections means you can here these songs together without going back and forth from album to album. I never have that much of a desire to hear these particular songs on one album, but it is enjoyable to hear them together anyway.

If you are unfamiliar w/ Jane Monheit, this isn't a bad disk to get. The songs are fairly characteristic of her music. It's chill and still fun, but not especially deep. Really, I don't think these are her very best. Her live performances are much more enjoyable, but this collection is good for giving a solid cross-section of her music. For example, "Waters of March" has a good vibe and "Spring Can Really Hang You Up the Most" takes a very mellow approach, showing a bit of her range. I can only recommend it to people on that basis. If you want some mellow, easy vocal jazz and don't own any of Monheit's stuff, this is a pretty good CD. Personally, I think Diana Krall would be better to add to a growing collection.

Although this entire recording is terrific, Jane Monheit's interpretation and performance of 'Waters of March' is one of my favorite recordings. This is a performance that can only come about because she believes the words --- and it has to come from her soul. She hits every note, her timing is perfect and the inflection for each word makes this song come alive. If Antonio Carlos Jobim were alive to hear her performance of his song, I am sure he would say, "yeah...that is what I meant".

Jane Monheit is very young and it seems a little soon to be issuing a CD titled "The Very Best of Jane Monheit." Still, this is 'very good' stuff. A great voice. Great music. A great young jazz singer. I can hardly wait to get more of her music.

This is the purest and truest soprano voice since Joan Baez. I don't think it's the 'very best' of Jane's work, the new CD 'Surrender' is my favorite, but there's no doubt she's going to be at the top of her profession very soon. I just hope she stays with Jazz.