On the album, Lincoln is joined by pianist Rodney Kendrick, double bassist Charlie Haden, and drummer Victor Lewis, plus a string section and seven guest musicians: saxophonist Julien Lourau, trumpeter Roy Hargrove, pianist Kenny Barron, guitarists Pat Metheny and Lucky Peterson, and double bassists Christian McBride and Michael Bowie.

[9] Stephen Holden of The New York Times awarded the album first place in his annual adult-pop consumer guide, calling it "profoundly beautiful," and stating that Lincoln "suggests what Billie Holiday might have become had she overcome her personal demons and survived into her 60's.

"[12] In an article for the Chicago Tribune, Howard Reich noted that, on the album, Lincoln "attains a new expressive depth and ardor."

He remarked: "Probably the best recording of her career, A Turtle's Dream documents an artist who has pared down her means and her message to their essence.

Not a note is wasted, not a phrase is unnecessary... Not since Billie Holiday's sublime final recordings has a female jazz vocalist expressed pain and yearning so eloquently.