Customer Reviews

Light Out of Darkness

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4 star:		(2)
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This is worth getting if only for her "It's Not Easy Being Green," the best reading of that song I have heard by anyone. It's one thing to read the lyrics and understand the meaning, but Shirley really makes you feel it. Just deeply beautiful. And in a perfect world, it would have ruled the radio in '93 and Ken Burns would've talked about the great Shirley Horn revival in these last 10 years. Ah, well. If the record couldn't sweep the nation, at least it could be a big hit in your house.

This is a departure from the usual material that Shirley Horn does but it comes off well. There are more uptempo tunes than she normally does and certainly, in spirit, you have to think of Ray Charles as you listen to her renditions of the songs associated with him.

My favorites are the ballads because, in my opinion, that is her strength and in this area, I think she has few peers. She sings the way Miles Davis used to play a ballad with his trumpet, making extremely effective use of space within the melody. As such my two favorites on this cd are "The Sun Died" and the title song.

Especially Ray Charles or Shirley Horn fans should enjoy this one.

This is a wonderful tribute album to Ray Charles. Shirley Horn is just fabulous as are the other musicians. "Green" happens to be my favourite track, which is just Shirley's voice and piano and is just wonderful. But each and every track on here is great, couldn't be better. She puts such feeling and meaning into each song, and I am so glad I finally discovered her. This may be my first Shirley Horn album, but it will not be my last. The 12 page booklet has great liner notes as well as a few photos.

Maybe some say it is not the most representative Ray Charles. Also maybe some say it did not tingle but Ms.Horn did hit the road and made it with the personal Ray Charles material. Great renditions of "Being Green" and Gershwin's "How Long Has This Been Going On". There is also an extraordinary rendition of "The Sun Died", a French song wonderfully recorded by Mr. Charles. Impressive!

The song selections and the heartfelt delivery make this a wonderful tribute to Ray Charles and his gift to the world! Add Shirley Horn to the mix, and you have an outstanding musical release!

If Shirley Horn ever made a bad recording, I've certainly never heard it, but this one really shines. Each cut is better than the last. Highly recommended!