Helen Merrill

2 ALBUMS ON ONE CD

5 STARS ALL MUSIC GUIDE
 

“Every recording by the short-lived trumpeter Clifford Brown is worth exploring, including these highly enjoyable dates with Helen Merrill
. . . The music is essentially straight-ahead bop, yet the seven standards are uplifted by the presence of Merrill (in top form) and Brown.” - (Scott Yanow)

This release presents two complete seminal Helen Merrill albums, her classic LP with Clifford Brown, titled Helen Merrill (EmArcy MG36006) and Helen Merrill with Strings (EmArcy MG36057).

Quincy Jones wrote: “This date, because of Helen Merrill and the musicians involved (Clifford Brown, Jimmy Jones, Barry Galbraith, Oscar Pettiford and others), has been a pleasant experience rather a task. A combination such as this stimulates a friendly challenge, and the results can be nothing than a great jazz performance. I’m sure you’ll enjoy the debut of Helen Merrill as much as I have.” edition we have included, as bonus tracks, another complete session by Helen Merrill with Hank Jones and a string orchestra performing an excellent selection of jazz standards.

Personnel:

HELEN MERRILL, vocals on all tracks plus:

1-4:
CLIFFORD BROWN, trumpet
DANNY BANKS, flute
JIMMY JONES, piano
BARRY GALBRAITH, guitar
MILT HINTON, bass
OSIE JOHNSON, drums
Conducted & arranged by QUINCY JONES
New York, December 22, 1954

5-7:
Same personnel but OSCAR PETTIFORD (bass & cello)
& BOBBY DONALDSON (drums) replace Hinton & Johnson
New York, December 24, 1954

*BONUS ALBUM: Helen Merrill with Strings
Hank Jones (p), Barry Galbraith (g), Milt Hinton (b),
Sol Gubin (d), plus String orchestra conducted
& arranged by Richard Heyman.
New York, October 21-24, 1955

Tracks:

01. Don't Explain
02. Born to Be Blue
03. You'd Be So Nice to Come Home To
04. 'S Wonderful
05. Yesterdays
06. Falling in Love With Love
07. What's New?
08. You Won't Forget Me
09. Lilac Wine
10. Spring Will Be a Little Late This Year
11. Beautiful Love
12. Just You, Just Me
13. When I Fall in Love
14. The End of a Love Affair
15. Mountain High, Valley Low
16. Anything Goes
17. Comes Love
18. (I'm Afraid) The Masquerade Is Over
19. Wait Till You See Him

Total time: 74:59 min