Over The Years (2000)

"This album is aimed at summing up Abbey's long career. Joining her are excellent, be it not well-known performers, plus the giant sax player Joe Lovano. But it is Lincoln's special interpretative powers that carry the day, as one would expect. The play list is rather unusual even for an iconoclast like Lincoln. There are tunes from the 1940s, traditionals, some romantic standards, and her own compositions. "Lucky to Be Me," from the musical "On the Town", features some ear-catching work by the rhythm section of Brandon McCune, John Ormond, and Jaz Sawyer. Another fine track is the traditional "Blackberry Blossoms" to which Lincoln has added her own lyrics. She is ably supported here by guest tenorist Lovano and guest guitarist Kendra Shank - also a singer of note. The album's coda is appropriate as Lincoln sings "Tender As A Rose" a cappella, letting her vocal chords stand on their own without benefit of instrumental accompaniment as she ends it with "as that's the way the story goes."" (D. Nathan, Allmusic)