Notably remembered for her acting career, Della Reese first gained international recognition as a singer of various musical styles.

[3] She was then signed by Larry Newton to the ABC–Paramount label in 1965[4] and they issued her first album called C'mon and Hear Della Reese!

The album consisted of 12 tracks in total,[5] many of which were cover tunes of blues standards, such as Billy Eckstine's "Fool That I Am"[3] and two songs by Johnny Mercer: "Travelin' Light" and "Drinkin' Again".

Billboard magazine praised the product, writing, "The dynamic songstress displays her great gospel style in this exciting package of both raunchy hod funky blues ballads.

"[2] Also praising the LP, Cash Box magazine wrote, "With Bryant and a rhythm section backing the lark, this set could be a strong candidate for chart honors.

"[1] Meanwhile, Walt Friedwald (author of the book A Biographical Guide to the Great Jazz and Pop Singers) criticized it, finding it to be "an occasionally overly jukeboxy attempt to bring out Reese's blues strengths, evoking Dinah Washington and Aretha Franklin."