Both were featured in Broadway musicals of the same names and both reached the top ten on the American adult contemporary chart.

Marilyn Maye had been recording for RCA Victor since 1965 after being discovered by television host Steve Allen.

[2] On her debut album, Maye recorded the song "I Love You Today", which Steve Allen had written for a musical.

This gave Maye's producer (Joe René) the idea to have her record songs that would be featured in upcoming Broadway musicals.

[4] The album was recorded at two New York City locations: RCA Studio A and Webster Hall.

It featured arrangement by Sid Bass, Claus Ogerman, Marty Manning, Jimmy Wisner and liner notes by Gene Lees[4] A Taste of "Sherry!"

[4] Also included are covers of songs that had originally made America's Billboard pop chart: Sidney Bechet's 1956 top five recording of "Petite Fleur (A Time to Love a Time to Cry)" and The Righteous Brothers's 1964 chart-topping "You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin'".

[1] Cashbox magazine commented that Maye's pop covers demonstrated her "smooth artistry" and concluded, "The artist sings effortlessly with warmth and conviction, and the set is likely to garner much critical acclaim.

"[8] Record World magazine found that Maye's vocal delivery on the album to be both "smooth" and "sweet".