When Carmen McRae (1920-1994) recorded the magnificent "Sings Lover Man and other Billie Holiday Classics" in 1961, it was a sincere tribute to her major influence.

By this time she was a mature, confident stylist, secure enough in her own musical identity not to be intimidated by her great idol. Few singers could dare to approach Strange Fruites, especially when accompanied only by guitar, or risk emulating Lady Day's approach in songs like Travlin Light and Them There Eyes, and emerge not only unscathed but with a better reputation. She gets wonderful support from Nat Adderley, Lockjaw Davis and Mundell Lowe, while Norman Simmons makes a brilliant contribution as pianist and arranger.