Carol Fredette: Sings Dave Frishberg and Bob Dorough: Everything I Need

Carol Fredette has been singing the songs of Bob Dorough and Dave Frishberg since the ’70s. It took until now for her to record them, however, and this album became the catalyst for the songwriters’ collaboration on the cliche-filled “I Could Care Less,” their first since “I’m Hip.” Fredette delivers 13 witty songs, capped by memorable duets with each of the writers, “Never in a Single Year” with Dorough and “I Got to Get Me Some ZZZ” with Frishberg.

On her own, Fredette handles lively renditions enhanced by exceptional phrasing and scintillating scat work. She enhances Frishberg’s cleverness on “Wheelers and Dealers” and “Let’s Eat Home,” as well as on “Zoot Walked In,” the latter fueled by exhilarating horn riffs written by trumpeter Jack Daley. She’s well suited for Dorough’s memorable “I’ve Got Just About Everything” and “Wouldn’t You?” (based on Dizzy’s “Woody ‘n’ You”), and does justice to Dorough’s romantic “Love Came on Stealthy Fingers.” A must-have for the terminally hip.

Originally Published October 1, 2000