Pieces of Treasure

Pieces of Treasure marks a full-circle moment for Rickie Lee Jones, reuniting her with Russ Titelman, the producer responsible for her legendary first two albums. Recorded over a brisk five-day session at Sear Sound in New York, the album is Jones' first dedicated foray into the Great American Songbook, though her phrasing has always been rooted in jazz. The record eschews the lush, orchestral arrangements often found in traditional pop covers in favor of a lean, small-combo jazz aesthetic. Critics, including those at AllMusic, noted the 'lived-in' quality of her voice, praising how her aging instrument adds a layer of vulnerability and gravitas to tracks like 'September Song' and 'Nature Boy.' The album was highly regarded for its lack of artifice, earning a Grammy nomination for Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album. It stands as a testament to her enduring status as the 'Duchess of Coolsville,' proving her improvisational instincts remain sharp and her ability to reinterpret classic melody is unparalleled in the singer-songwriter canon.