HELEN MERRILL - The Artistry of Helen Merrill (1965-2014) FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

This is a rare Helen Merrill folk-oriented album from 1965, with songs from all over the world. Perhaps it was her Croatian upbringing, but very few jazz singers sound as natural singing non-jazz material as Merrill does. She sounds just like herself (which she always does anyway), with no particular adjustment to a straighter idiom, as if she had to shed herself of jazz sophistication in order to become more "innocent." Highlights include the quasi-folk bossa nova "Quiet Nights" and "Itsi No Komoriuta." The great Charlie Byrd is on board, to provide the requisite acoustic accompaniment, as is Jimmy Giuffre on clarinet. Richard Mortifoglio
Tracklist :
1    Quiet Nights (Corcavado) 2:44
2    Careless Love 3:30
3    Scarlet Ribbons 3:01
4    The House Of The Rising Sun 2:37
5    I Left My Heart Behind 2:20
6    Cannetella 2:18
7    The River (Sciummo) 2:58
8    Minha Rocca 2:29
9    Itsi No Komoriuta 2:18
10    Forbidden Games 2:35
11    John Anderson, My Love 2:07
Credits
Keter Betts - Bass
Charlie Byrd - Guitar
Jimmy Giuffre - Clarinet
Osie Johnson - Drums
Teddy Kotick - Bass
Hal McKusick - Flute
Helen Merrill - Vocals
Jimmy Raney - Guitar