Helen Merrill (Mono)
Regular price
€65,00
VAT included in price for European Union countries, may be adjusted based on delivery country at check out.
Average shipping time : 2 to 4 working days. Shipping is free within European Union (except for specific territories) above 99€ purchase up to 50kg. Shipping costs on quote above 50kg – quote request to be send to : contact@audiosoundmusic.com. No return policy for countries outside of European Union
Vocals – Helen Merrill
Bass – Oscar Pettiford [click here to see more vinyl featuring Oscar Pettiford]
Piano – Jimmy Jones
Trumpet – Clifford Brown
Conductor - Quincy Jones
Arranged by Quincy Jones
1 LP, Tip-on gatefold jacket
Original analog Master tape : YES
Heavy Press : 180g
Record color : black
Speed : 33RPM
Size : 12”
Mono
Studio
Record Press : Quality Record Pressings
Label : Analogue Productions
Original Label : EmArcy
Recorded December 22–24, 1954 in NYC
Produced by Quincy Jones
Remastered by Kevin Gray at Cohearent Audio
Liner notes by Quincy Jones
Originally released in 1955
Reissued in (Unknown)
Tracks :
Side A
- Don't Explain
- You'd Be So Nice To Come Home To
- What's New
- Falling In Love With Love
Side B
- Yesterdays
- Born To Be Blue
- 'S Wonderful
Awards :
TAS Super LP List! Special Merit: Informal
Reviews :
"Though she eventually came to be known as a "singer's singer," Helen Merrill's 1954 debut is an unmitigated success of mainstream jazz. Besides introducing the uniquely talented young singer, the date also featured small-group arrangements by Quincy Jones and marks the introduction of another future star, trumpeter Clifford Brown. Formidable as his playing is, Brown never overshadows Merrill. She is fully up to the challenge on all fronts and enthusiastically tackles uptempo numbers such as "You'd Be So Nice to Come Home To" and "Falling in Love with Love" with aplomb. A winning stylistic combination of cool jazz and hard bop, Merrill particularly excels on Mel Tormé's "Born to Be Blue," making the sophisticated tune her own as she revels in Tormé's down-and-out lyric." AllMusic Review by Richard Mortifoglio
“The album was recorded in December of 1954 by the legendary Bob Fine, at Fine Sound Inc., 711 5th Avenue in New York. Merrill, then only 24, was backed by a combo that included Clifford Brown on trumpet, Oscar Pettiford on bass, and pianist Jimmy Jones, with arrangements by Quincy Jones - himself a mere 21 years old at the time. The mono sound is on the (pleasantly) dry side and very forward, with taut-sounding drums and bass and an intimate vocal sound that at times comes close to being overly sibilant but never quite carries out the threat. Merrill's intonation isn't always spot-on (as in the intro to 'Yesterdays'), but there's something about her voice - an odd combination of breathy innocence and husky-toned experience that pulls me in time after time. (In 'Don't Explain,' she intones the word quiet in a manner that could launch any number of ships.) And Clifford Brown's trumpet is, as one might expect, perfect. Prices for the original mono LP reach into four-figure territory, so news of an affordable reissue is very good news indeed. Torch on." - Art Dudley, Stereophile, March 2020
Ratings :
AllMusic 4.5/5 , Discogs 4.62/5 ,
The Absolute Sound, September 2020 : Music 5/5, Sonics 4/5
The Audio Beat, May 2020 : Recording 4.5/5, Music 5/5