Search - Shirley Horn :: Loads of Love & Shirley With Horns

Loads of Fun!

D. Davis | Southern CA | 04/03/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I must confess: I much prefer the early Shirley Horn to the present-day Shirley Horn. I think that constraints and prescriptions and proscriptions do their part in allowing an artist to create excellent work. And in spite of what many listeners and reviewers have thought of this early-60s album, Horn, here, is in peak form, in command, and in great voice. The first song, "Wild Is Love" is very 60s, and you'll dig those crazy horns blowing...you'll almost want to do The Twist as you think of "The Dating Game."There are nods to several standards, one of which is to Gershwin on "There's a Boat That's Leaving Soon for New York." "Great City" is also fun, and will put you in the frame of mind of New York, the greatest city, in its glory days; Horn's articulation and timing see to that...The strangest song on here is probably "Mack the Knife," so different from Ella's versions and Louis Armstrong's versions...Horn swings this song in typcial, restrained Horn fashion...but it's the lyrics that puzzle somewhat...thrown in here, among the familiar Lucy Brown, Slooky Tawdry, and Lotte Lenya, is Sister Sadie...whoever she is...but this song is quite fun and you'll dig Horn's spin on it...The balads are quite beautiful here..."The Second Time Around," "Do It Again," and "The Good Life" are all possessed by Horn's now-famous loving and sophisticated restaint...this album isn't even enough solely for after-hours listening, but you can certainly program in the songs you like and listen to this collection that way...If you like Horn, or like jazz, I think you'll really like this collection.Good Listening!--dan"

A MUST OWN For Shirley Horn Fans -- She Sizzles On This CD !

Peter | East of Los Angeles | 08/06/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"For those who know Shirley Horn strictly as a slow ballad singer based on her 1980s and 1990s CD releases, "Loads of Love / Shirley Horn with Horns" remains a hidden gem in her catalog, but boy-oh-boy will come as a big pleasant surprise. These are two LP's Shirley recorded in the early 1960's when she was still relatively a newcomer. Mercury Records took the two LP's and released them as one CD in 1991. To this day, I am baffled why most Shirley Horn fans are unfamiliar with "Loads of Love / With Horns". It is on par -- if not superior -- to anything she has recorded in her career.



When you listen to this FANTASTIC CD for the first time, you are in for a shock! Instead of the usual jazz Trio that most Shirley Horn Fans have come to expect, here she is accompanied by an orchestra. But what's so wonderful about this release is the orchestra really blend with Shirley's voice and never overwhelm her delicate vocals in any way. Another shocker is hearing Shirley swing to a couple of fast tempo songs (something she would totally reject later in her career). Yes, that is Shirley swinging to "Mack The Knife" and "There's A Boat That's Leaving For New York". She sounds totally assured and relaxed on the swingers. Why she later moved strictly to a ballad-only format leaves me baffled.



Even early in Shirley's career, her bread-and-butter was still the slow burner songs. She sounds so seductive and sexy on the ballads, especially "I'm In the Mood For Love" "Do It Again" "Go Away Little Boy" and the Sinatra classic, "Only the Lonely". Here a young Shirley Horn seduces the listener with her breathy, aching vocals. You are left totally mesmerized by her performance. The icing on the cake is listening to the wonderful jazz musicians accompany her sultry voice note for note. Mercury Records has done a great job with the wonderful digital remastering of the sound. The beautifully nuanced interpretations of a young Shirley Horn come thru loud and clear.



According to the excellent detailed liner notes, Shirley confesses she wasn't particularly happy with her performance on this CD and blames the record company for not letting her have more rein in the recording studio. But listening to her stunning vocals on the 24 tracks, you would never guess. The personnel and musicians involved in the making of these two albums are the creme de la creme of the jazz world, including a young Quincy Jones.



This is by far the most enjoyment I've had listening to ANY Shirley Horn CD. This is not to take anything away from her great Verve CD's recorded much later, but the songs here are so well crafted, arranged and sung, that it becomes almost indispensable. I have it in my player constantly now and especially LOVE playing it late at night before bedtime. It immediately soothes and relaxes the worn soul. If you are a Shirley Horn Fan, you owe it to yourself to get this wonderful CD! You will NOT be disappointed."

An Atypical Shirley Horn with Orchestra but Chemistry Failed

Carlos from Rio | Rio de Janeiro, RJ Brazil | 07/08/2000

(3 out of 5 stars)

"The best singer ever. The finest musicians around. Everything perfect but Ms.Horn conceptions are missing. Seems like they got everything ready and then asked her come and croon. A quite professional twofer but ... this is not the Ms. Horn's material to be remembered forever."