Lena Horne's Being Myself is the flip side of Sinatra's September of My Years; rather than gazing backward ruefully, the 81-year-old diva throws herself a well-earned party, wryly celebrating late-life romance on "As Long ... more »as I Live" and laughing at despair on "Some of My Best Friends Are the Blues." Even when the disc takes a turn toward the ruminative--"After You," "Willow Weep for Me"--Horne tempers downheartedness with a sly bluesiness. The arrangements, which mostly place her in small-group jazz settings, stay out of the way of the wisdom on display here. --Rickey Wright« less
Lena Horne's Being Myself is the flip side of Sinatra's September of My Years; rather than gazing backward ruefully, the 81-year-old diva throws herself a well-earned party, wryly celebrating late-life romance on "As Long as I Live" and laughing at despair on "Some of My Best Friends Are the Blues." Even when the disc takes a turn toward the ruminative--"After You," "Willow Weep for Me"--Horne tempers downheartedness with a sly bluesiness. The arrangements, which mostly place her in small-group jazz settings, stay out of the way of the wisdom on display here. --Rickey Wright
"Lena Horne is one of the finest singers around today. One of the few original entertainers who sing classic pop and jazz. Only Rosemary Clooney, Tony Bennett, and Anita O'Day who were all in her league are still performing. This her most recent effort is spectacular. Lena is still going strong her voice pure and beautiful, her style still as sassy and stylish as ever, and she's more loose and improvisational now, than ever. This cd is recommeded to fans of Lena as well as people who have enough class to get it."
Her BEST cd ever!!
Lizzie Romero | Walnut, CA | 12/08/2003
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Whoever wrote that Lena's singing is "painful", is an idiot. Lena posesses the most beautiful voice today. She sounds elegant and beautiful thru this whole cd, I am 16 years old but I truly enjoy this blues cd, with Mike Renzi's jazz groups. The best version ever of A Sleepin Bee is on this PERFECT cd. Lena doesn't show her age, she shows her wisdon, and if you aren't pleased by this you are msot likely a miserable person. I am luscky that I have grandparents who took me to see all of these singers when I was a preteen, they took me to New York and we saw Lena, I was 11, and Lena was great, and so is this cd."
Short, but fabulous - Ms. Horne did it again!
Lizzie Romero | 06/23/1998
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Once again Ms. Horne has released an album, no mean feat at her age. And although we are only treated to 38 mins. of song, it is pure bliss. Having been a fan for years I had my doubts about this album, but these were quickly blown away.I shall listen again and again.........."
A National Treasure
Steve Shanahan | San Francisco, CA United States | 10/01/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"We are all so lucky to have Lena Horne in our lives. She paved the way for so many other brilliant artists like herself. This is a woman who can teach us how to live with her phrasing and subtlety. She makes you laugh and cry at the same time. This is a simply beautiful CD displaying her mature richness and grace. May she live on and produce similar music when she gets to be over 100!!"
She sounds great
mistermaxxx@yahoo.com | usa | 02/20/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"even thought the disc is short her voice is even better now.she provides a rich quality in tone and still looks great.she is a real treasure.this is a must have from a true LEGEND."