"You can add Mary Pearson to the short list of authentic contenders for the seats vacated by the old guard of female jazz divas. The musical selections (on You and I) reveal her ability to reinvent standards without obliterating them with decoration. (Any singer who can make you listen to the words of “What Are you Doing the Rest of Your Life” as if they were new again has a fresh musicianship indeed.)
Her duets with drummer Steve Davis are unique. It’s rare for a singer to be accompanied only by drums for an entire song, but it works to sensuous result on “Lazy Afternoon.” Their version of “Thou Swell” is both swell and witty. Pearson’s own composition “I Am Yours/You Are Mine) is a tribute to commitment in relationships that is as lovely and delicate as fine lace. The final coup on this romantic set is a subdued and unencumbered version of “Over the Rainbow.” Set in three-quarter time, it captures the wonder and flow of the song without recalling other versions." --Patrick Arena, OUT – May 2000
"This woman has a beautiful voice with great range and control. Twelve love songs, some very well known. Three written by Mary herself, all sung in ways you’ve never, ever heard them sung before. Described as having a rich, creamy tone, a commanding, luxuriant style, beauty of expression, she whispers and soars, quiet one second, loud and sure the next. A very intimate, gentle album and certainly not just background music. You’ll certainly want to listen to this one. Over and over again." --Jeanette Housner, Victory Music Review, June 2000
"Every tune is a duet, which is the right number for romance. Mary sings softly, a thick voice that's husky on the low notes. Beside her an instrument holds court; what instrument (and how it's played) depends on the song. We get drums on "Lazy Afternoon" - rather, tom-toms and soft
moaning cymbals. Mary drawls the lyric, a sound that's lazy - and intimate. She's warmer on "The More I See You"; the voice reaches high, with longing and love. Lynne Arriale says plenty in spare chords.; how different from Fred Hersch, who plunges into "Take Five". Over his busy
display, Mary is static, percussive on words with a hornlike attack. They are two instruments, swirling in a deep embrace. The mood is eternal - or it should be. She also writes her own songs: elegant words, and delightfully fragile. "I Am Yours" is a hug: "Time will show, just as sure as we are breathing/ Love built on trust is built to last." A similar stillness is "In Your Arms", words melting austere piano. David Lahm floats a faint echo, Mary matches it - and all is well." --John Barrett/JazzUSA.com/Short Takes/ May 2000
"Vocalist Mary Pearson’s CD You and I is interesting in that each song is a duet in which she is accompanied by a lone instrument Her interpretations, phrasing, and articulation are excellent." --allaboutjazz.com, Dave Hughes - June 2000
"Veteran bass player Harvie Swartz takes center stage with Pearson as they stroll through “How Long Has This Been Going On?”. Pearson’s interpretation of this tune, as much as any, crystallizes her awesome understanding of the lyrics of the songs she sings coupled with the ability to convey that meaning to the listener. You and I is a formidable and recommended introduction to the world of recordings by Mary Pearson." --All Music Guide, Dave Nathan