The album consisted of 12 recordings Reese had been performing while on-tour, including "Won'cha Come Home, Bill Bailey", the project's only single release.

Della Reese found success as a singer recording in the styles of blues, jazz, and pop.

[2] The album was recorded at the RCA Victor Studios in Hollywood, California, with the Hugo & Luigi team producing the project.

[3] A re-issued version of the project was released via compact disc in February 2017 by the Sepia label and featured ten additional tracks not originally issued on the first album.

Cash Box magazine named it one of their "Popular Picks of the Week" in early September 1961, calling it her "best album to date".

"[1] The St. Petersburg Times wrote that Reese's "big natural voice is powerfully potent" in many of the album's selections.