Classic Lena
Leon Sherm | 01/27/2006
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Any one who is not able to appreciate artist in their latter years should avoid this CD. That being said Season of a Life is a necesarry part of my Lena Horne collection, though it won't be my favorite. Just having what could be her last recorded version of Stormy Weather is worth it. Those of you who think she has done that enough may not know that it is not always the artist decision. Most of the CD's with Stormy Weather on it are compilations which have the same 1936 version on it. Except for the original Stormy Weather album which came to CD in 2002, and the Lena Goes Latin CD. Anyway, I think the arrangements on Seasons of a Life and Lena's take on the songs are refreshing. If only she had done these songw with the same band in her late a few years before when her voice was better. However some of Rodney Jones' dates incorrect. Tracks 2,5&6 (Classic Ellington CD)were recorded in 1999 not 2000, but released in 2000. And tracks 3&4 were done in 1994 but release in 1995 for an Evening With Lena CD. Singing In the Rain was done in 1997, but released in 1998 for the Soundtrack. That makes me question when Stormy Weather and the other tracks were really recorded. Also everyone says that this album was done in 1999, but not released. I read in a BET magazine interview with Lena in fall of 1999 and she said she completed 3 songs as a tribute to Billy Strayhorn;(Classic Ellington CD) and a disk of Harold Arlen and Cole Porter. So Seasons of a Life is not that album. And if you go to the All About Jazz website and type in Rodney Jones then click on Soul Manefesto, you will discover a msg. board in 1999 which he clearly says that summer he was working on a new Lena Horne album with her in the studio and the 3 Billy Strayhorn songs. So maybe she was too ill to promote it in 2000 or she didn't sound so good and they decided not to release it. But again, this is not that album. I guess they thought no one in the public would remember back that far. Anyway, enjoy Seasons of a Life. Maybe one day the real recording from 1999 will be released."
Soul-deep performances~Bravo Lena Horne!!!
Bradly Briggs | TOLUCA LAKE, CALIFORNIA | 05/16/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Lena Horne enjoyed a remarkable career for decades and this classic release flows beautifully & compiled from various 90's recording sessions that find the grand Legendary Lena in glorious voice singing with the right balance of pathos and passion plus tremendous skill and technique. Haunting and exotic "Black Is" open sublime collection with full and lush orchestration & Lena is hypnotic and simply brilliant...Dom Perignon of singing! Billy Strayhorn's "Maybe" is loose and funky & same with live version of Kris Kristofferson's "I've Got To Have You" as Lena goes deep inside making these amazing performances timeless & classic. Lena teases and turns "I'll Always Leave The Door A Little Open" inside out with complete assurance in another wonderous live performance while back in the studio Billy Strayhorn gem "You're The One" is a swinging jazzy cooker with rhythm and timing flawless! Two legends meet in the mesmerizing and classic Billy Strayhorn "Something To Live For" that Lena turns into a solid masterpiece with a performance of tremendous depth of emotion making this beauty something special to experience...great collection without a doubt is "Grammy Award" worthy! Lena and Billy Strayhorn were a match made in a musical fantasy and another delight "Chelsea Bridge" is a magical musical trip through life that is rare & engrossing. Throughtout this magnificent set of classic songs Lena sings deep from the heart & soul hitting amazing notes along the way with a voice that is strong, rich, full bodied...collection is a remarkable vocal and performing master class study for American Idol wannabes...the real thing!!! Jazzy tour-de-force "Singin'In The Rain" has never sounded this stunning...Bravo Lena!
Four AM classic blues happen with a brilliant "Willow Weep For Me" and when one realizes these amazing performances are from the mid to late nineties from a performer who has been doing it since the thirties, quite an achievement!
Closing is yet another masterful classic performance and longtime Lena masterpiece "Stormy Weather" is given a deeply soulful performance that Lena goes deep inside of and turns inside out. Thank you Lena for this musical treasure...now just get out that chilled favorite and get ready for the magical musical experience of a lifetime with a classy and classic legend.
"
Lena at her Best
George Finn | 06/10/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This CD indicates to me that Lena Horne was singing better durning this period than at any time ithat I remember. This is magnificent."
