Helen Humes - Songs I Like to Sing

Songs I Like to Sing

By Helen Humes

Very Good Condition

A Review:

I bought this CD because of the great reviews (as has been noted elsewhere, "N. Dorward" gives it the complete rundown) and - let's be honest, here - it was only $7.65. A funky, low price, so I figured what-the-heck?

Wow, what a find. I listened to it once and went "eh." A little too close to Ella, for me, a little too easygoing. But just now I listened to it again and she (Helen Humes) is fantastic. All the plaudits you read elsewhere here are on the mark. One song in particular is worth the purchase: "Every Now and Then," a relatively obscure tune from the Thirties that she does with a string quartet (!) and rhythm/sax backing that HAS to be the definitive vocal read of this gem. Oh and by the way, throw in a little Ben Webster crooning his tenor around her, why dontcha'? Lots of other great performers in there, too: Shelly Manne, Barney Kessel, Andre Previn - essentially the West Coast crowd, that arranger Marty Paitch pulled together.

Seriously, this is a delicious CD. When Helen wants to rock, she rocks. When she wants to whisper, she whispers. It's all here.