AMG Review of Fine & Dandy

Scott Yanow
All Music Guide

The Scottish label's Hep series features music by the all-star swing groups headed by pianist Teddy Wilson in the mid- to late '30s. Billie Holiday takes vocals on most of these recordings (including "My Last Affair," "Moanin' Low," "I'll Get By," "Mean to Me," "Foolin' Myself," and "Easy Living"), but for collectors there are also occasional instrumentals and a few rare appearances by singers Helen Ward and Boots Castle. In a few cases, Hep released alternate versions of songs in place of the more common versions (including "Mean to Me," "I'll Never Be the Same," and "I Found a New Baby"), but in general the Classics series is preferable.