The album was initially released in France via Just'In Distribution on LP and MC with 4 songs on each side. Producer Jean-Pierre Grosz licensed the copyright to Gala Records in Italy and Charly Records for the whole European market, through which it also appeared on Affinity in the UK. All releases were distributed with the same front and back cover. On Compact Discs issued by Charly and Affinity the concert had an extra track as opener, "How High the Moon". In 1989 MCA finally released the album in the US on their Impulse! label, but omitting "How High the Moon" on CD as well. When Bridgewater was under contract with Universal in France in the 1990s, the album was digitally remastered and reissued on Verve and EmArcy (with the 9th track at the end). The production is now credited to Bridgewater.
Scott Yanow of AllMusic wrote: "This 1986 recording started her artistic "comeback" and showed that she had developed and matured during her years in Europe. Backed by her regular French rhythm section, Bridgewater is in spirited and creative form.... Her arrival as a major singer in the years since this set has been a welcome event. Recommended."[5] Jeff Simon of The Buffalo News noted, "Terrific. Until a whole new wave of singers came along in the '80s, expatriate Bridgewater was one of the precious few keeping alive the tradition of jazz song... Living in Paris has done her good. She has -- literally -- never been better than this."[6]
Jack Fuller of the Chicago Tribune stated: "Here`s one for the permanent collection. Dee Dee Bridgewater has what only a few jazz singers each generation has-the ideas, the energy and the vocal equipment to make the music complete. Bridgewater delivers on everything from the Erroll Garner standard, 'Misty,' to the down and dirty 'Dr. Feelgood' and 'Medley Blues.' And when she improvises, it has just the right balance of reference and innovaton. The references may be to Sarah Vaughan, Carmen McRae, and Betty Carter, but you'd better think of adding Dee Dee Bridgewater to the short list of standards."[7]
