Helen Merrill - Helen Merrill With Strings (1955)

Helen Merrill has been a unique jazz singer for half a century. Her breathy hushed vocals are understated and first rate. She floats through a song as if on a cloud. The mid fifties albums from Mercury with Clifford Brown and this one with strings are among the best she has ever done. Every cut on this album is a gem. I have treasured my vinyl copy for decades. My favorites are Lilac Wine and The Masquerade Is Over.

Tracklist:

01. Lilac Wine
02. Anything Goes
03. Mountain High, Valley Low
04. Beautiful Love
05. Comes Love
06. End of a Love Affair
07. When I Fall in Love
08. The Masquerade is Over
09. Just You, Just Me
10. Spring Will Be a Little Later This Year
11. You Won't Forget Me
12. Wait Till You See Him

Personel:
Richard Hayman - arr., cond.
Hank Jones - piano,
Milt Hinton - bass,
Sol Gubin - drums,
Barry Galbraith - guitar