The Young Star

by Lena Horne

Overview

Lena Horne became an international celebrity as a teenager -- making her first record at 18 with Noble Sissle and his orchestra -- and in many ways her star never faded. Because her success as a singer and actress paved the way for so many African-American divas in later decades, it's easy to overlook the simple vocal magic that got the legend rolling. This is one of the new Bluebird series' best compilations, a compendium of early-'40s classics that define the era. Sometimes her approach was ironic. Even if the mood of "Stormy Weather" is dark, the innocence of her voice conveys a rich optimism and whimsy. On these selections, which include "What Is This Thing Called Love?" and a hypnotic take on the Rodgers & Hart gem "Where or When?," her tone is light and flowing, with a gentle, sexy lisp in certain spots. The last three tracks, from January 1944, are so rare and obscure that the location of the recording and the backing orchestra are unknown. A must for the Horne fan or for folks who think Judy Garland and Billie Holiday were the only vocal standard setters of the time. ~ Jonathan Widran

Product Details

Release Date:	01/25/2011
Label:	RCA MASTERWORKS
UPC:	0090266396429

Tracks

1. Stormy Weather
2. What Is This Thing Called Love?
3. Ill Wind
4. The Man I Love
5. Where or When
6. I Gotta Right to Sing the Blues
7. Mad About the Boy
8. Moanin' Low
9. As Long as I Live
10. I Ain't Got Nothin' But the Blues
11. I Didn't Know About You
12. One for My Baby (And One More for the Road)
13. Suddenly It's Spring
14. Do Nothin' Till You Hear from Me
15. I'll Be Around

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Lena Horne   Primary Artist,Vocals
Big Sid Catlett   Drums
Lou Bring   Conductor
Lennie Hayton   Piano
Horace Henderson   Conductor
Dave Barbour   Guitar
Illinois Jacquet   Sax (Tenor)

Technical Credits

Barry Feldman   Compilation Producer,Producer
Don George   Composer
Harold Arlen   Composer
Bob Russell   Composer
Cole Porter   Composer
Duke Ellington   Composer
George Gershwin   Composer
Ira Gershwin   Composer
Lorenz Hart   Composer
Johnny Mercer   Composer
Howard Dietz   Composer
Joshua Sherman   Series Producer
James Van Heusen   Composer
Ralph Rainger   Composer
Noel Coward   Composer
Alec Wilder   Composer
Ted Koehler   Composer
Richard Rodgers   Composer
Johnny Burke   Composer
Sheryl Lutz-Brown   Design
Randi Alyssa Sherman   Production Coordination
Richard Dyer   Annotation
Ruth Marten   Illustrations
Vincent Caro   Disc Transfers,Mastering
Sandi Tansky   Creative Director