Helen Merrill - 1994 - Brownie (2003) FLAC

Helen Merrill - 1994 - Brownie: Homage to Clifford Brown (2003)

40 years after recording a classic album with trumpeter Clifford Brown, singer Helen Merrill paid tribute to the late Brownie, who died tragically in 1956. Utilizing on various tracks trumpeters Tom Harrell, Wallace Roney, Roy Hargrove and Lew Soloff, as well as pianist Kenny Barron, bassist Rufus Reid and drummer Victor Lewis, Merrill performs a variety of tunes, most of which were associated with Brown. There are plenty of unexpected surprises on the date, including passages where the trumpet ensemble performs parts of Brownie's original solos; also noteworthy are Harrell's unaccompanied flugelhorn version of "Joy Spring," Barron's solo piano rendition of "Memories of You" and touching moments like "I'll Be Seeing You," "I Remember Clifford" and "Gone With the Wind." Producer Torrie Zito sometimes adds some atmospheric and effective synthesizer, and in addition to the standards, Zito contributed a new original, "Brownie." Throughout the often emotional date, Helen Merrill is heard in top form, giving plenty of feeling to the lyrics while leaving room for the guest trumpeters. Recommended. (AllMusic)

Track list:
01 - Your eyes
02 - Daahoud
03 - Born to be blue
04 - I remember Clifford
05 - Joy Spring
06 - I'll remember April
07 - Don't explain
08 - Brownie
09 - You'd be so nice to come home to
10 - I'll be seeing you
11 - Memories of you
12 - Gone with the wind
13 - Largo

Personnel:
Helen Merrill vocals
Lew Soloff trumpet
Roy Hargrove trumpet and flugelhorn
Tom Harrell trumpet and flugelhorn
Wallace Roney trumpet
Kenny Barron piano
Rufus Reid bass
Victor Lewis drums

Enjoy and share!