Search - Helen Forrest :: Complete World Transcriptions

Vintage Helen Forrest material

Joe Sixpack -- Slipcue.com | ...in Middle America | 02/06/2003

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Big band singer Helen Forrest entered the pop vocals era as a strong contender, letting loose with her full range as a torch singer. This generously programmed 2-CD set is packed with dozens of 1949-50 radio recordings made for the World Transcription company while Forrest was working with the Carmen Dragon orchestra, music that's been unavailable for several decades. The arrangements are uniformly sentimental and syrupy, but they serve her soft crooning well... There's a hint of Judy Garland in Forrest's phrasing, as well as Doris Day, etc. But there's also Forrest in there, too -- a uniquely inviting tone, and a strong command of the material. This set is much stronger than the previously-released LP which covers the same period: the sound quality is great and the selection offers a comprehensive overview of her work at the time. Dragon's orchestra might not have been the greatest outfit ever, but Forrest fans will be pleased with this set. Recommended!"

Helen Less The Big Bands - 1949-50 Radio Airplays

Robert E. Simanski | 03/21/2002

(3 out of 5 stars)

"Helen Forrest's Radio Broadcasts 1949-50
For the first time you can hear Helen not only sing but also talk on the Radio microphone, a good surprise. I possess several big classics of Helen who is my prefered singer of the Big Bands era. But here no more Big Band, just a studio orchestra and this is disappointing. The warm and gorgeous ambiance of an Artie Shaw, Harry James or Benny Goodman's orchestra is missing here. Helen seems sometimes to sing a cappella, "the singer is the entire show" as said the booklet. Meanwhile the second disc is better and more swiging than the first one. Michel"

Helen Forrest and the Great American Songbook

Robert E. Simanski | Sterling, VA United States | 04/11/2002

(4 out of 5 stars)

"The arrangements and the sound quality aren't all that great, but what a pleasure it is to hear these great songs performed by one of my favorite singers of all time. Helen Forrest is very much in her prime here (late 1940s) and I will never understand why she did not have a successful career after World War II. With the exception of "My Reverie," Helen Forrest nails each one of these classics. If you are new to Ms. Forrest, buy the complete Harry James album first. If you are already a fan, you'll love this one as well."