Search - Helen Forrest, Artie Shaw :: Vol. 2: Sweet and Simple

Helen at her Sweetest

JOSEPH B FAIRWOOD | Hartford, Connecticut | 03/01/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"If you're a fan of Helen Forrest, then this is a "must have" recording. Recorded with Arite Shaw at the very start of her career, it contains both studio material and some live tracks, all of which shine. Being only 21 at the time, her voice is very sweet and light with phrasing well suited to Artie's swing. Included here is Helen's very first and least favorite recording 'I Have Eyes', in which, being just up from Washington DC, she sings with a slight southern accent! This CD, along with 'Sweeter as the Years Go By' will complete your collection of all commercial recordings Helen made with Shaw."

Simply The Best

itgirl1928 | Florida | 03/03/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Beautiful album with gorgeous renditions of "Comes Love", "Deep Purple", and "Two Sleepy People". Perfect album to go with "Sweeter as the Years Go By". You will not be dissapointed."

Helen's "Sweet and Simple" songs are just so easy to enjoy

Matthew G. Sherwin | last seen screaming at Amazon customer service | 07/13/2010

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This excellent CD has so many of the songs Helen Forrest recorded when she was working with the very famous Artie Shaw & His Orchestra. Some may say that her greatest accomplishments were when she sang with Harry James; but I think these songs are of the same high caliber. Helen sounds like the most beautiful songbird all throughout this album; and that's grand. Her sophisticated phrasing combined with her sense of timing and her excellent diction made every song she sang enchanting. The decision to include a few live radio recordings is a good one; not only does this add songs to the CD, it's nothing short of terrific to hear what people were listening to live on the radio. In addition, the quality of the sound is really rather good considering the age of these recordings. I like the artwork, too.



"I Have Eyes" starts the album off with Helen singing this to perfection--and beyond! I also love that big band sound with that brass in the musical arrangement. "Between a Kiss and a Sigh" and "Deep in a Dream" couldn't have been sung any better; Helen's voice is as clear as a bell and I love every minute of it--this music is all THAT good! In addition, "Simple and Sweet" is very well done; and listen for Helen to practically outdo even herself on "I Won't Tell a Soul;" "A Room with a View" and "It Took a Million Years."



"Let's Stop the Clock" is easy on the ear; and songs like "Two Sleepy People;" "This Can't Be Love;" "What's New?" and "Deep Purple" demonstrate Helen's superb ability to handle complex tempo and key changes seemingly effortlessly--the hallmark of a true and very special songbird.



"You're So Indiff'rent" again features Helen in her natural element; and "Comes Love" is another well done tune. Moreover, I always admire just how well Helen could perform other songs and ballads like "Moonray" and "Melancholy Mood"--not to mention that exquisite rendition of "Day In - Day Out." "Two Blind Loves" gets the royal treatment from Helen who sings this faultlessly; and "Without a Dream to My Name" is quite a torch song.



"I've Got My Eye on You" stuns me with its natural beauty; and "All in Fun" is another memorable number. "All the Things You Are" is done with great sensitivity and genuine passion and the CD closes with an excellent number, "When Love Beckoned (In Fifty-Second Street)."



Helen Forrest may not be remembered as much as she deserves to be remembered; I hope that changes with sales of albums like this one! This is a fine CD for Helen Forrest fans; and people who enjoy that classic big band sound would do well to get this for their collections."