"'S Wonderful" opens Anita O'Day's 1957 album Anita Sings the Most with the kind of swinging energy that defined her as one of the most dynamic vocalists in jazz. Recorded with the Oscar Peterson Quartet, the track is actually a medley beginning with the George Gershwin classic before transitioning into "They Can't Take That Away from Me." Peterson's single-chorus piano solo over the 32-bar AABA form at a blazing 345 beats per minute is a display of breathtaking virtuosity, his flowing lines and impeccable time turning the solo into a concentrated burst of swing. The session paired O'Day with one of the era's premier rhythm sections, including guitarist Herb Ellis, bassist Ray Brown, and drummer John Poole, creating an ideal environment for the vocalist's rhythmic precision and improvisational daring. Recorded for the Verve label under Norman Granz's supervision, Anita Sings the Most captured one of jazz's great vocalists at the height of her powers, her ability to swing and phrase with the freedom of an instrumentalist perfectly complemented by Peterson's trio. The medley format gives the track a through-composed quality that maintains listener interest across its transitions.
