Helen Merrill, Ron Carter - Duets (1989) CD Rip

Helen Merrill, Ron Carter – *Duets* (1989) is a minimalist jazz album featuring just vocals and bass. Recorded in 1989, it showcases the intimate collaboration between legendary jazz vocalist Helen Merrill and renowned bassist Ron Carter. The stripped-down format highlights Merrill’s emotive phrasing and Carter’s masterful, melodic bass lines. With no piano, drums, or additional instrumentation, the duo explores standards like “My Funny Valentine” and “You and the Night and the Music” with remarkable depth and subtlety. The album is a fine example of jazz interplay, offering a warm, introspective listening experience. Released as a CD, it remains a collector’s gem.

Tracklist

1 I Fall In Love Too Easily
2 A Child Is Born
3 Come Home Again
4 Little Waltz
5 You And The Night And The Music
6 Autumn Leaves
7 Come Rain Or Come Shine
8 In A Mellow Tone
9 The Summer Knows
10 There Is No Greater Love
11 Lover Man
12 My Funny Valentine
13 I Don’t Stand A Ghost Of A Chance With You
Helen Merrill, Ron Carter - Duets (1989) CD Rip

personnel :

Helen Merrill - vocals
Ron Carter - bass
Victor See Yuen - percussion

Singer Helen Merrill and bassist Ron Carter explore 11 standards and an original apiece on this intimate and generally enjoyable set. There is not a great deal of variety, and Merrill's voice has sounded stronger elsewhere, but their versions of "I Fall in Love Too Easily," "A Child Is Born," "Autumn Leaves," and "There Is No Greater Love" are memorable. One certainly has to admire Merrill's constant desire to take chances in her recordings.