Helen Merrill

jazzy mary · August-23rd-2005, 04:06 PM

She's going to be playing at Dizzy's in NYC on 9/27 w/ her quartet. I adore her album w/ Brownie (who doesn't?) But, how is she now--does she still have her chops? ANyone have any info., recs.? Thanks.

Nate Dorward · August-23rd-2005, 04:28 PM

Her voice is certainly lower & rougher, but I still think she's terrific. Haven't heard the newest album of hers--maybe someone here can comment.

Doc Martin · August-23rd-2005, 04:41 PM

I have and like "Lilac Wine" from 2004, not great, but certainly not bad. Nate Dorward is correct her voice is most definitely “lower & rougher”

BTW, how is Dizzy's Coca Cola Club?

dizmonk · August-23rd-2005, 04:51 PM

Got No Helen Merrill in my collection...

What seminal one or two works of hers would you recommend?

jazzy mary · August-23rd-2005, 04:51 PM

It's nice--gorgeous view of Columbus Circle & Central Park, good food, good bookings. It's expensive and the service isn't the best. The people who work there don't really know much about jazz. It's a fancy NYC jazz club.

jazzy mary · August-23rd-2005, 04:52 PM

You have to get her album w/ Brownie--today! If nothing else...

Gordon B · August-23rd-2005, 05:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jazzy mary

You have to get her album w/ Brownie--today! If nothing else...

JM, who's your favorite singer when paired with Brownie.

My favorite Brownie/Singer combo is Brownie/Dinah Washington with Brownie/Sarah Vaughn a close second.

There are many gems in the Brownie box on Mercury.

jazzy mary · August-23rd-2005, 05:02 PM

Brownie and Sarah is to die for.

Doc Martin · August-23rd-2005, 05:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jazzy mary

It's nice--gorgeous view of Columbus Circle & Central Park, good food, good bookings. It's expensive and the service isn't the best. The people who work there don't really know much about jazz. It's a fancy NYC jazz club.

Thanks for the mini review, sounds good. Once The Zoo slows down in late October (currently I'm doing six sometimes seven, twelve hour days

) I will check it out.

Pete C · August-23rd-2005, 07:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jazzy mary

You have to get her album w/ Brownie--today! If nothing else...

And the one with Gil Evans (the first one, from the 50s, that is).

jazzy mary · August-24th-2005, 11:06 AM

Pete, can you tell me more about that album w/ Gil Evans? I have the Brownie/Helen one w/ "Don't Explain", "Born to be Blue" etc. on it.

I think I will go see Helen at Dizzy's. I mean, she is a legend!

Pete C · August-24th-2005, 11:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jazzy mary

Pete, can you tell me more about that album w/ Gil Evans?

I believe it precedes the albums with Miles, but includes a very similar Summertime chart to the ones that Miles did.

What's there to tell? The two names should tell you everything you need to know.

jazzy mary · August-24th-2005, 11:14 AM

Yeah, well, I was trying to find it on Amazon and Half. com and couldn't. Do you know the title, label, year, any of the tunes?? Sorry to bother you.

Pete C · August-24th-2005, 11:27 AM

It's called Dream of You, but it's OOP, I've just discovered.

I'm sending you a PM.

jazzy mary · August-24th-2005, 11:29 AM

That's better, Pete. I don't like it when you act so smarty-pants to me.

jazzy mary · August-24th-2005, 11:36 AM

Thanks, Pete!

clinthopson · August-24th-2005, 11:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jazzy mary

It's nice--gorgeous view of Columbus Circle & Central Park, good food, good bookings. It's expensive and the service isn't the best. The people who work there don't really know much about jazz. It's a fancy NYC jazz club.

Almost perfect description Mary. We were impressed with the fine acoustics. The night we saw Cedar Walton's group, the audience was very hip. The service was ok, too.

I have bought every Helen Merrill disc I could lay my hands on. I loved them all until I bought "Jelena Ana Milcetic AKA Helen Merrill."

I just can't get into the disc. It's way too wierd for me.

Pete C · August-24th-2005, 11:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by clinthopson

I loved them all until I bought "Jelena Ana Milcetic AKA Helen Merrill."

I just can't get into the disc. It's way too wierd for me.

I like that one very much.

Nate Dorward · August-24th-2005, 01:33 PM

Yeah, I like that one too--but it's definitely a specialized taste, given the very personal choice of repertoire & musicians, & that that's the first disc where Merrill's voice really starts to sound worn. -- Some great Steve Lacy on there, incidentally.

I like all her run of discs for Verve/Gitanes (including a very worthwhile tribute to Clifford Brown). The first Gil Evans collaboration is on the Mercury box set though that's out of print too (but I've seen the odd copy floating around). I haven't got any of the 1970s discs with Tommy Flanagan, Roland Hanna, &c but I gather they're all worth checking out.