Customer Reviews

You're My Thrill

5 star:		(14)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
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Ten years since the release of the monumental "You Won't Forget Me," Shirely Horn has done it again, releasing a landmark album. Although she has released some very quality material throughout the past decade, "You're My Thrill" is exceptional. The 11-song CD features her usual repetoire of ballads interspersed with bouncy be-bop numbers, but what makes the album noteworthy from her other recent albums is the wall of sound producer Johnny Mandel provides. This quality makes both Horn's vocals and piano resonate. The new CD also echoes "Here's to Life," with Mandel's orchestra backing her vocals on six of the tracks.

Horn reaches deep into her early days by injecting some blues guitar into the mix, courtesy of Russell Malone, featured on the songs Sharing the Night With the Blues and Why Don't You Do Right? Her remake of I Got Lost in His Arms is magical, with Larry Bunker's vibes punctuating the end of each verse. Solitary Moon, My Heart Stood Still and the title track are gems, with the orchestra deliciously complementing Horn's masterful interpretation of the songs. The Best Is Yet to Come is a treat, with Horn and company's deft handling of swift chord changes. Finally, Horn's strong performance on All Night Long proves that her voice can still rise to the occasion and provides an appropriate climax to the CD.

Along with her trio -- drummer Steve Williams and Charles Ables, who shares bass duties with Brian Bromberg -- Shirley Horn provides us with her most powerful and enchanting album in years.

Nine years later, Shirley Horn and Johnny Mandel live up to the challenge of reprising their astonishing (and Grammy-winning) "Here's To Life" collaboration with "You're My Thrill." Here, the Mandel arrangements (which accompany about half of the tunes) are perhaps even more subtly orchestrated, making for a very intimate and hushed sound. They remind me of some of Mandel's work for Diana Krall's blockbuster "When I Look In Your Eyes" album. This outing also explores night-club swinging territory (familiar to fans of Horn's earlier releases such as "Live at Vine St.") on tracks such as "The Best Is Yet To Come," where Shirley and the trio shine without orchestral enhancements. Not surprisingly, though, it's gorgeous ballads like "Solitary Moon" and "The Very Thought of You" that really sink in deepest and linger in your heart and soul. In short, if you love brilliant songs masterfully interpreted (and who doesn't?), then you'll love this album. In fact, with its perfect balance of trio jazziness and string-laced balladry, Ms. Horn will hopefully tap into the wide appeal that Diana Krall has been enjoying... Shirley must be Diana's primary influence and inspiration!

Several years ago while at a dinner party, holding a simple conversation with people proved to be impossible because Shirley Horn's Here's to Life cd was playing in the background. This was my first introduction to this extraordinary artist and while at the time I tried to smile and nod in the right places at the right times, hoping to appear intelligent, the truth was I was captivated and spellbound--and I have been ever since. Here's to Life is an incredible cd and her latest You're My Thrill follows suit. Teamed again with Johnny Mandel, (arranger and conductor on Here's to Life), their collaboration has proven to be a match made in heaven. Shirley's "less is best" piano style and her deep satin voice are complimented by Johnny's subtle, yet keen, orchestral arrangements. The end result is music with thought, depth, and integrity.

If I had to pick one thing I love about Shirley, I would say it is her masterful way of using space to create musical highlights. By holding a note or by creating a dramatic pause, she takes time and makes it stand still. Examples of this can be heard in the title track, Solitary Moon, I Got Lost in His Arms, My Heart Stood Stil, and The Very Thought of You, and the beautiful All Night Long (note: these slow tunes are also where Johnny's magic comes through) Although Shirley is known for taking her time with a song, rest assured that she can and does know how to pick up the pace and swing hard especially in The Best is Yet To Come, The Rules of the Road, You Better Love Me, and Why Don't You Do Right--all showcasing her strength as a renowned pianist.

This is a very VERY nice cd for entertaining, for romantic evenings with someone special, or for unwinding after a long day. Shirley is my THRILL and she'll by yours too.

The Horn/Mandel collaboration on 1992's "Here's to Life" is no less sublime, inspired, and miraculous than the best work of Sinatra/Riddle ("Only the Lonely") or Miles Davis/Gil Evans ("Sketches of Spain"). There's not a false note on that album, which for many listeners is the most essential recording of the past 20 years, if not since "Kind of Blue." "You're My Thrill" is certainly a worthy sequel, and some listeners may even prefer the walking bass tempos that appear on several tracks featuring just Shirley and rhythm section. But the high points, once again, are the nuanced harmonies and whispered counter melodies Mandel is able to incorporate with the trio's offerings--orchestrations that succeed not merely in being unobtrusive but actually contribute to the sense of silence, of meditative reflectiveness and suspended animation. Overall, the results on this collaboration are not quite as consistent and satisfying as on the earlier meeting, and there are far fewer spinetingling moments. Shirley's voice evidences a bit more strain, the song choices are not quite as surprising and revelatory (Peggy Lee's reading of "You're My Thrill" on the album "Black Coffee" is one for the ages), and the programming concept--going for a bit more "variety"--is not as daring. Pick this one up, but by no means should it be a priority over "Here's to Life."

Okay, perhaps I have gotten a bit carried away. Shirley doesn't literally rock, but this CD is excellent. If you're like me and typically don't prefer the Johnny Mandel-type orchestra arragements, the CD is surprisingly good; the underlying jazz of the songs never gets lost or overpowered by the arragements and the songs without the orchestra arrangements are great, swinging jazz tunes. The sound of the CD is fine; Verve did a really nice job on the engineering and mixing. I'll bet you won't be disappointed with this CD, whether you're a Shirly Horn fan or not

"You're My Thrill" is a must-own for any Shirley Horn fan. The famiar voice is dark and sweet, and the arrangements are lush and deep. You'll snap your fingers in time with "The Best Is Yet to Come." This collection of songs sets a quiet and sophisticated mood--very appropriate for after-dark listening. "Why Don't You Do Right" is fun, in the manner of Peggy Lee--Horn handles this song with verve and purposely restrained panache. Horn also cradles, very lovingly, "The Very Thought of You." These standards are in very apt and very good hands.

This is the first cd of Shirley's I've bought since having the privilege of hearing her live. (Note: I have bought others, before the experience of hearing her live.) Thrilled isn't the word to describe how I felt upon learning she had a new cd out. I was deliciously pleased that she opened the cd with, and titled it after one of Billie Holiday's (another favorite vocalist of mine) best numbers. That's because something in Shirley's phrasing reminds often reminds me of Billie, though Shirley's style is all her own. Within the first few notes, she managed to make the song her own. Usually, I find myself drawn into achingly slow and sensual ballads (check out her version of "Do It Again" on her "I Love You, Paris" live cd), this time I was particularly pleased with the more upbeat numbers. On "The Best Is Yet to Come" Shirley proves she can swing with the best of 'em, and delivers considreable sass on "Why Don't You Do Right?". As for the ballads, it's hard to choose the best among them, but "My Heart Stood Still", "The Very Thought of You" and "All Night Long" are stand-outs here. My only small complaint is the use of strings in some songs, but that's my own personal prejudice. I much prefer Shirley in the setting of the small jazz combo, and the strings don't really marr anything here. This belongs in the collection of any jazz fan

This album is the first one I bought. I just added three more of her cd's to my collection. Her music is so moving and relaxing, I listen to it whenever I get stressed. Yeah, I listen alot!! She has a way of letting you feel as if you are actually living in her song as she sings. Would recommend to anyone. Absolutely AWESOME!!!! Glad to have found her.

Shirley Horn uses her range and power with such sublety and restrained passion that she evokes the very image of "cool jazz." This should come as no surprise. The late Miles Davis heard her years ago when she was a struggling club singer and helped launch her career. This albumn builds upon her considerable strengths and is contemporary without being trendy or gratuitous. If you are a fan of Ms. Horn, you should have this latest addition to her impressive body of works. If you are new to this artist, this would be a good place to start. And if those up-and-coming young jazz divas continue to develop their talents over a life-long career in and around the greats, they may someday sound like this.

Why does she include 4-5 songs done on other CD's? Don't get me wrong, I am a "dyed in the wool" Shirley Horn fan. She could sing the "yellow pages" and I'd buy it. Shirley and Johnny Mandel are a match "made in heaven" but surely they could have covered other beautiful standards not previously recorded by her. I have all her recordings and would like her first album "Embers and Ashes" transfered to CD. That's the album that got me "hooked" and an avid fan ever since. Shirley, are you listening?..............Your #1 fan