Search - Helen Forrest :: Golden Years of Helen Forrest : I Had the Craziest Dream [ORIGINAL RECORDINGS REMASTERED]

I love it!!

E. C Goodstein | Northern CA United States | 12/31/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I'm not at all a Helen Forrest expert, but I picked this up
on sale not long ago, & I'm really glad I did. 4 CDs, studio, radio & 'ballroom' recordings & I think a few fairly rare.
Seems a good cross section of her recordings with Goodman, Shaw & James, as well as Nat King Cole, Gordon Jenkins, Johnny Mercer & others, including a few also from films. The sound quality is really very good overall. Warm, compelling voice that sounds great in big band setting IMO. I love Jo Stafford, & think Helen similar caliber of singer (not that they sound exactly alike)."

Brilliant but not definitive

Peter Durward Harris | Leicester England | 03/30/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"If you are looking at this set thinking that it must be the ultimate Helen Forrest collection containing all her big hits, you'll be disappointed. Nevertheless, this is a fine collection that showcases Helen's talents superbly. It is worth noting that Helen refused to sing up-tempo songs, which didn't always help her career, but she was brilliant at what she did. And while four CD's of ballads might sound a bit excessive, half of the music here was recorded in the big band era, with the other half being in a more lush, orchestral style. Thus, there is plenty of variety in the arrangements, with many mid-tempo songs among the slower songs.



Helen's earliest recordings were with Artie Shaw in 1938 and 1939. Jasmine previously released two single compilations of Helen's music with Artie Shaw, both of which I bought and reviewed some years ago. The first CD here begins with 21 of these recordings but omits their two number one hits (They say, Thanks for everything), though some of their big hits together (notably Deep in a dream, I poured my heart into a song) are here. Still, Helen's music with Artie was all brilliant so I'm not complaining for myself. Others may resent buying this then having to buy two other compilations to plug important gaps in their collection. CD 1 ends with two tracks (I'd be lost without you, A ghost of a chance) recorded in 1940 with Lionel Hampton, Nat King Cole and his trio. There is no mention of these two tracks in the liner notes, but they are worth a listen.



The first ten tracks from CD 2 are taken from Helen's recordings with Benny Goodman in 1940 and 1941. Several great female singers took their turn singing with Benny's band including Mildred Bailey, Helen Ward and Martha Tilton, but Helen didn't like just being a bit-part singer and quit after just a year in his band. It turned out well for both, as Helen signed for Harry James while Benny recruited Peggy Lee as Helen's replacement. Several of the hits that Helen had with Benny only feature Helen singing the chorus so, since this is a compilation of Helen's music rather than Benny's, they've been overlooked. The featured tracks here are those on which Benny gave Helen greater exposure (especially The man I love, More than you know, My sister and I)..For the hits where Helen was only a bit-part singer, look for a Benny Goodman compilation.



The remaining 13 tracks feature Helen's recordings with Harry James, all made between 1941 and 1943. Helen and Harry had four number one hits together but only two (I don't want to walk without you, I had the craziest dream) are included here, the other two (Mister five by five, I've heard that song before) are omitted. Some lesser hits are included (notably But not for me, Skylark, I remember you) but also noteworthy is You made me love you. Originally a million-selling top five instrumental hit for Harry James in 1941, the version here features Helen's vocals and was used in the soundtrack of Private buckaroo.



Helen subsequently pursued a solo career. Her first solo record (Time waits for no one) was a number two hit (Time waits for no one) but none of her other solo recordings charted. However, Helen recorded a lot of duets with Dick Haymes and together they charted ten hits. CD 3 and CD 4 cover Helen's solo and duet recordings from 1944, with all the charted hits included. Helen's last chart entry was in 1946 but she continued recording great music until the period covered by this set ends in 1950. Thereafter, Helen's recordings were sporadic but she had already proved that she was a brilliant ballad singer. While one might have expected her to succeed as a solo singer (especially given the quality of her solo recordings), that didn't happen, but her legacy of band recordings with Artie Shaw, Benny Goodman and Harry James, together with her duets with Dick Haymes, ensure her place in history.



While this is not a definitive collection, it is a great showcase for Helen's music. If you haven't got any of her music, start here and if you want more, look for those other Jasmine compilations with Artie Shaw and a relevant Harry James compilation."

Gold Years of Helen Forrest

Marla Hayden | Sabetha, KS United States | 03/11/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I bought this for my Grandma and she loved it. It was the best gift."