"She's Funny That Way" receives a warm, swinging treatment on the 1955 Pres & Sweets date, with four soloists contributing to an expansive performance at 144 BPM. Lester Young opens with one chorus of tenor saxophone in E-flat, his breathy tone and behind-the-beat phrasing demonstrating the cool aesthetic he pioneered in the 1930s and 40s. Edison follows with two choruses of trumpet, his muted sound and spare melodic choices building a solo of quiet eloquence. Peterson then unleashes two choruses of virtuosic piano, his rapid-fire lines and harmonic sophistication providing dramatic contrast to the front line's understated approach. Bassist Ray Brown rounds out the solo section with a full chorus of acoustic bass, his rich tone and melodic invention justifying his reputation as the finest bassist of his generation. The Neil Moret standard's 32-bar AABA form accommodates each soloist's distinct personality without the performance ever feeling episodic. The track is a highlight of the album, demonstrating the remarkable range of expression possible when four musicians of this caliber share a bandstand with complete mutual respect and deep stylistic understanding.
