Shirley Horn – May The Music Never End (2003)

Shirley Horn is one of the great voices in jazz, her warmly breathy, slightly gritty voice investing ballads with rare depths of meaning. There's a level of emotional intensity here that's achieved by few singers, and it's made even more compelling by Horn's innate reserve. On May the Music Never End, Horn acts as producer as well, and she eschews the lush string accompaniments of 2001's You're My Thrill for the minimum accompaniment of a piano trio. It only magnifies the intimacy of her performance, with pianist George Mesterhazy's spare, understated chords gently lapping against her voice on songs like Paul McCartney's "Yesterday" and Michel LeGrand's "Watch What Happens." Long-time drummer Steve Williams adds real drama to "Everything Must Change." Horn has always had a special affinity with trumpet players–having recorded with both Miles Davis and Wynton Marsalis–and here Roy Hargrove turns up on two tracks, adding subtle punch to "Take Love Easy" and "Ill Wind." There is also a guest appearance by Ahmad Jamal, and his sparkling piano further illuminates "Maybe September" and "This Is All I Am."

Please note that this is an older but good rip (without log), made with an older version of EAC, and coming from my archives on external hard disc.

Personnel:

Shirley Horn - Vocals
George Mesterhazy - Piano (All Tracks Except 08 & 10)
Ed Howard - Bass
Steve Williams - Drums

Special Guests:

Ahmad Jamal - Piano (Tracks 08 & 10)
Roy Hargrove - Flügelhorn (Tracks 04 & 07)

Tracklist:

01. Forget Me
02. If You Go Away
03. Yesterday
04. Take Love Easy
05. Never Let Me Go
06. Watch What Happens
07. Ill Wind
08. Maybe September
09. Everything Must Change
10. This Is All I Ask
11. May The Music Never End

Pruduced By Shirly Horn

Sound Quality: 9