Aaron B | Rancho Santa Margarita, CA United States | 10/17/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Lena Horne is generally overlooked when it comes to jazz singers, and although technically she is not a jazz singer, her jazz phrasing, and her great sense of swing are immaculate. She really doesn't iimprovise all that much, but she can swing and make you at times think you are listening to Lee Wiley(another great, but overlooked jazz singer), yet she can also sing a torch song with as much verve as the younger Billie Holiday or Mildred Bailey. Horne here is backed by various swing bands, and the occasional small jazz combo. Most of these tunes are circa 1940's, however this CD covers from early 40's to to late 50's, where Lena has more sass,(& sounds a little more like Della Reese or Betty Roche) actually a more fairer comparison would be made to the later Conne Boswell of the 50's or Kay Starr, although Lena always had a style and distinctive voice all her own. Some of the highlights of this exellent CD are Good For Nothin' Joe, One For My Baby, and the quentessential and most difinitive version ever recorded of As Long As I Live. This set is recomended to jazz and vocal record collectors alike. Great music that generally swings."
I could listen to this CD all day
Aaron B | 08/21/1999
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This is a classic. A perfect introduction to Lena Horne"
Best overall - but not perfect
randysrodeo.com | Austin, Texas | 01/27/2007
(4 out of 5 stars)
"This CD has the best selection overall, and it has the most tracks (22). But, it has a few downsides:
1. It omits Lena's only significant chart hit, 'Love Me Or Leave Me' (#19, 1955)
2. The mastering is good, but not as good as later discs (e.g. 'The Classic Lena Horne')
3. The material is strictly RCA - which excludes most of her movie classics.
But, if you're gonna buy only one, this would be my recommendation. Try to get the original RCA edition - not the chintzy Jazz Heritage reissue."
Smooth as Silk
Anne Bern | 10/19/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Miss Lena was like no other vocalist. Her distinctive voice would haunt a whole generation, and she kept her looks, too.
This album captures her at the height of her powers: an era when recording technology was improving while voices were getting older. These songs represent Lena's amazing range and power.