HELEN MERRILL - Casa Forte (1980-2011) RM | HQCD | FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Helen Merrill is in top form throughout this 1980 session, backed by pianist Torrie Zito's thoughtful arrangements. Merrill, who improvises like a member of the band, always knows the possibilities within each song she performs and finds a way to make it her own. A good part of the LP includes bossa nova tunes, highlighted by her deliberate lyrical treatment of "Wave," in which Zito is her sole accompanist. Her silken voice is wrapped in strings for the lush takes of "So Many Stars" and "Like a Lover," with Bucky Pizzarelli providing the perfect touch on guitar. "Natural Sounds" is an unjust obscurity, a touching ballad sung by Barbra Streisand in the mid-'60s on a live album, though Merrill handles it with far more finesse. There are also enjoyable renditions of standards like "Too Marvelous for Words" and "Close Enough for Love." Recommended. Ken Dryden
Tracklist :
1    Natural Sounds 4:02
Written-By – Lan O'Kun
2    Antonio's Song 4:50
Written-By – Michael Franks
3    Vera Cruz 5:00
Written-By – Borges, Nascimento
4    Wave 2:36
Written-By – A.C. Jobim
5    So Many Stars 3:25
Written-By – Bergman-Bergman, Mendes
6    Like A Lover 3:58
Written-By – Bergman-Bergman, Caymmi, Motta
7    Too Marvelous For Words 2:44
Written-By – J. Mercer, R. Whiting
8    How Insensitive 3:30
Written-By – A.C. Jobim, M. Vinicius
9    Casa Forte 2:53
Written-By – Edu Lobo
10    Close Enough For Love 3:45
Written-By – J. Mandel, P. Williams
Credits :
Arranged By – Torrie Zito (pistas: 2 to 4, 7, 8, 10)
Bass – George Mraz (pistas: 1, 2, 5, 6, 8, 10)
Cello – Charles McCracken (pistas: 1, 2, 5, 6, 8, 10)
Drums – Grady Tate (pistas: 1, 5, 6, 8), Ronnie Zito (pistas: 2, 10)
Drums, Percussion – Dom Um Romao (pistas: 3, 7, 8)
Electric Bass – Francisco Centeno (pistas: 3, 7, 8)
French Horn – Jim Buffington (pistas: 3, 7, 8), John Clark (2) (pistas: 3, 7, 8), Peter Gordon (8) (pistas: 3, 7, 8)
Guitar – Bucky Pizzarelli (pistas: 1, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8,), Joe Beck (pistas: 2, 10)
Harp – Gloria Agostini (pistas: 1, 5, 6, 8)
Percussion – Rubens Bassini (pistas: 1, 5, 6, 8), Steve Kroon (pistas: 3, 7, 8)
Producer, Arranged By, Conductor – Torrie Zito
Tenor Saxophone – Sal Nistico (pistas: 3, 7, 8)
Trombone – Urbie Green (pistas: 3, 7, 8)
Viola – Judy Giest (pistas: 1, 5, 6, 8), Lamar Alsop (pistas: 1, 5, 6, 8)
Violin – Barry Finclair (pistas: 1, 5, 6, 8), Charles Libonve* (pistas: 1, 5, 6, 8), David Nathieu (pistas: 1, 5, 6, 8), Jerry Tarack (pistas: 1, 5, 6, 8), Jan Mullen (pistas: 1, 5, 6, 8), Lewis Eley (pistas: 1, 5, 6, 8), Marvin Morgenstern (pistas: 1, 5, 6, 8)
Vocals, Producer – Helen Merrill