Lynne Jackson and Mike Palter are unabashed romantics in a cynical era. They care. They care about the world. They care about this country. The UNICEF anthem, "We Dream a Brighter Day," is their composition as is "Song of Peace" which has lyrics in English, Arabic and Hebrew. They appeared in Normandy at the 51st anniversary of France's liberation and following the horrors of 9/11 co-wrote "It's All Right to be Afraid" with Arthur Hamilton. And they care deeply about music and the great American composers and lyricists: Stephen Sondheim, Harold Arlen, Cole Porter, Gus Kahn, Alan and Marilyn Bergman, and Dave Frishberg. George Gershwin and Irving Berlin were remembered by individual Jackson/Palter CDs.

This two CD set represents a live performance in Pacifica, California and is somewhat autobiographical. Follow those titles! Their musicianship is top-drawer. I've said it before, "listening to Lynne Jackson on piano is a workshop for accompanists." And those warm and sensitive voices! They bring out the meaning of lyrics. Now, you might expect that with "At Seventeen," "You Can Have Him" or "How Do You Keep the Music Playing" but "Que Sera Sera"! How many times have you heard Doris Day sing that perky little tune? Have you EVER tuned in to the words? Lynne Jackson makes you stop, listen and remember.

There's some swinging piano on "S'Wonderful" and solid scatting on "They Can't Take That Away From Me." "A Child Is Born" by Thad Jones is a quiet place. They weave their beautiful song tapestries, "I Left My Heart in San Francisco / I'll Be Seeing You " and "Sing A Rainbow / The Colors of My Life." You'll be moved by "Tribute to Nina Simone / Cotton Eyed Joe." Mike's narration and Lynne's blues-tinged piano and voice pay tribute to Nina Simone and the damaged lives of so many black artists.

Over two decades ago, Mike Palter wrote a manifesto, "The Dodo Statement." It begins, "We sometimes wonder - Lynne and I - why it seems almost impossible to hear gentle music, tender music, romantic and melodious music on our radio." This CD, "Girls, Moms, and Me" is gentle, tender, romantic, melodious - and humorous. Lynne and Mike, we thank you.