One of Duke Robillard’s dream projects for the past 35 years has been to record a tribute to the golden age of women vocalists (the 1920s through the 1950s). In late 2007, Robillard heard singer Sunny Crownower perform at a Harvard University concert, and realized that he had found the voice to make his project a reality. The end result is Introducing Sunny and Her Joy Boys (Stony Plain), a stunning mix of classic pop, swing, and blues songs of the era.

Robillard assembled a stellar all-acoustic combo in support of Crownower, including Paul Kolesnikow (acoustic archtop guitar), Billy Novick (clarinet, alto saxophone), and Jessie Williams (acoustic bass). Robillard also produced the disc and he captures the feel of those old classic records perfectly. You can almost hear martinis being mixed in the background.

Crownower shines on a beautiful set of songs, including the opener, “Strictly From Dixie” (an early Ella Fitzgerald hit), “That’s My Desire,” the gorgeous “You’re My Thrill” (also available as a video on the disc), and a trio of Duke Ellington masterpieces (“I Don’t Mind,” “I’m Satisfied,” and “I Got It Bad (and That Ain’t Good)”). Other standouts include “Today I Sing The Blues,” “That’s My Desire,” and another Ella Fitzgerald tune, “Undecided.”

Crownower’s irresistible chemistry with the band, particularly with Novick (on clarinet and saxophone) is first-rate. Robillard does a fine job on guitar, as does the superlative rhythm section of Kolesnikow and Williams.

Folks, they don’t make them like this any more. Sunny and her Joy Boys are a throwback to a long ago, much missed era of music. Hopefully, we haven’t heard the last of them. Hats off to Duke Robillard for making this dream come true.