In the sleeve notes, Pepper says of his own tunes:
My tunes are very difficult to read and interpret. I write down all the parts, and ask my group to play it like it's written for a while and then just use it as a guide and play with their own feelings.
Of "But Beautiful" he says:
Billie Holiday sang this song so beautifully. I've always been influenced by the way a good singer can express something beyond the words of a song. I try to express the quality of the human voice when I'm playing a ballad.
Reception
AllMusic reviewer Scott Yanow awarded the album 4.5 stars, calling it "very successful" and the rhythm section "highly sympathetic."[1]
