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66 of 67 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
The sweetest sounds I've ever heard., April 23, 2000
Simply put, the best jazz vocalist recording of the last 20 years. I've purchased numerous copies to give to people whose musical and aesthetic sensibilities I trust. If depression comes from the inability to find in nature beauty commensurate with that in the human psyche, this album is guaranteed to administer a cure. The choice of songs, the re-visioning of each song, the piano accompaniments of Horn herself, the trumpet work of Wynton Marsalis (who filled in at the last minute after Miles' untimely death), the transcendent arrangements of Johnny Mandel, and the sublime readings of Ms. Horn cannot account for this "miracle" of a recording whose meaning is far greater than the sum of the parts. Not since late Bill Evans have I heard anything this beautiful on record. It fact, it would be hard to leave it off of any list of five best jazz recordings ever.
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22 of 22 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Here's To Shirley......, October 18, 2001
I simply don't know how to review a cd such as this. It's so rare when a disc is released that says so much in such beautiful and remarkable ways that it literally leaves me in tears. Where do you start? I had originally purchased this disc on a whim...I wasn't aware of how powerful Shirley's music/voice was but the song selection attracted me and being orchestrated by Johnny Mandel I thought it might be good for an occassional listen. Looking back I can only sit and wonder at my innocence. The sheer beauty of Ms. Horn's voice, the range, subtly of phrasing and simple "good taste" in performing each song is just short of a miracle. Songs such as "Where Do You Start?", "Return To Paradise" and of course the title track still thrill me with every listen and trust me when I say I've listened to this cd many, many times. And I am still in awe of what I hear. It is truly inspiring to hear a singer of Shirley's experience be able to bring not only a certain worldweariness to these selections but also a touch of inncocence that is hard to deny. That in itself is what makes Shirley Horn a truly great singer.... these simple contradictions in style! And, lest I forget, Johhny Mandel's sublime orchestration is truly the "second voice" on the cd. If anyone could complement Shirley's voice it would have to be J, Mandel's orch. Is it any wonder this disc has won several grammy's? I can only hope that you will find yourself one day purchasing a copy of this amazing disc and finding out for yourself how simple, honest and mature music is still being performed.Believe me...this woman sings from which only time and experience can teach us. Here's to Shirley....for giving us a wonderful gift!
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23 of 24 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Truly marvelous, a masterpiece-- BUY IT!, November 10, 2000
Would that I could give Shirley Horn's combo-and-strings set 200 stars-- it's just that wonderful. Shirley plays to her usual high standards, and the orchestra just adds more gentle thrills. Johnny Mandel has carved a niche for himself as a sensitive, careful arranger for jazz singer/pianists, and this recording with Shirley Horn highlights his gifts: orchestrations that stay respectfully out of the vocalist's way (his pastel shadings mesh with Shirley's Impressionist chordings as perfectly as a Monet landscape), but maintain the same still intensity projected by the soloist. Shirley's voice projects a unique blend of wistful hope and world-weariness, but in the climax of the title song, her voice rings over the orchestra with spine-tingling power. Another highlight was the moving "You're Nearer", simply Shirley singing and playing without accompaniment; this performance can be analyzed for hours vis-à-vis its seamless union of piano and voice and silence-- or enjoyed as arguably one of the most perfect vocal ballads of our time, rivaling Shirley's "The Music that Makes Me Dance" on "You Won't Forget Me". A stunning CD.
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by Shirley Horn 
