HELEN MERRILL - Brownie : Homage to Clifford Brown (1994-2003) FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

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. Scott Yanow  
Tracklist :
1     Your Eyes 6:17
Helen Merrill
2     Daahoud 2:58
Clifford Brown
3     Born to Be Blue 5:16
Mel Tormé / Robert Wells
4     I Remember Clifford 7:00
Benny Golson / Jon Hendricks
5     Joy Spring 3:59
Clifford Brown    
6     I'll Remember April 7:14
Gene DePaul / Pat Johnston / Patricia Johnston / Don Raye
7     Don't Explain 6:18
Billie Holiday / Arthur Herzog, Jr.
8     Brownie 5:04
Torrie Zito
9     You'd Be So Nice to Come Home To 4:33
Cole Porter    
10     I'll Be Seeing You 4:53
Sammy Fain / Irving Kahal
11     Memories of You 3:52
Eubie Blake / Andy Razaf    
12     Gone With the Wind 2:28
Herbert Magidson / Allie Wrubel
13     Largo 2:55
Samuel Barber / Antonin Dvorák
Credits :    
Bass – Rufus Reid
Drums – Victor Lewis
Piano – Kenny Barron
Trumpet – Lew Soloff, Roy Hargrove, Tom Harrell, Wallace Roney
Vocals – Helen Merrill