LENA HORNE — The Young Star (2002) RM | MONO | Bluebird's Best Series | FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

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   

Tracklist :
1    Stormy Weather 3:25
Composed By – Harold Arlen, Ted Koehler
Conductor [Orchestra Conducted By] – Lou Bring
2    What Is This Thing Called Love? 2:43
Composed By – Cole Porter
Conductor [Orchestra Conducted By] – Lou Bring
3    Ill Wind (You're Blowin' Me No Good) 2:33
Composed By – Harold Arlen, Ted Koehler
Conductor [Orchestra Conducted By] – Lou Bring
4    The Man I Love 3:23
Composed By – George Gershwin, Ira Gershwin
Conductor [Orchestra Conducted By] – Lou Bring
5    Where Or When? 2:45
Composed By – Lorenz Hart, Richard Rodgers
Conductor [Orchestra Conducted By] – Lou Bring
6    I Got A Right To Sing The Blues 3:14
Composed By – Harold Arlen, Ted Koehler
Conductor [Orchestra Conducted By] – Lou Bring
7    Mad About The Boy 2:59
Composed By – Noel Coward
Conductor [Orchestra Conducted By] – Lou Bring
8    Moanin' Low 2:45
Composed By – Howard Dietz, Ralph Rainger
Conductor [Orchestra Conducted By] – Lou Bring
9    As Long As I Live 2:51
Composed By – Harold Arlen, Ted Koehler
Conductor [Orchestra Conducted By] – Horace Henderson
Drums [Featuring] – Big Sid Catlett
Guitar [Featuring] – Dave Barbour
Piano [Featuring] – Lennie Hayton
Tenor Saxophone [Featuring] – Illinois Jacquet
10    I Ain't Got Nothin' But The Blues 2:56
Composed By – Don George, Duke Ellington, Larry Fotin
Conductor [Orchestra Conducted By] – Horace Henderson
Drums [Featuring] – Big Sid Catlett
Guitar [Featuring] – Dave Barbour
Piano [Featuring] – Lennie Hayton
Tenor Saxophone [Featuring] – Illinois Jacquet
11    I Didn't Know About You 3:09
Composed By – Bob Russell, Duke Ellington
Conductor [Orchestra Conducted By] – Horace Henderson
Drums [Featuring] – Big Sid Catlett
Guitar [Featuring] – Dave Barbour
Piano [Featuring] – Lennie Hayton
Tenor Saxophone [Featuring] – Illinois Jacquet
12    One For My Baby (And One More For The Road) 3:25
Composed By – Harold Arlen, Johnny Mercer
Conductor [Orchestra Conducted By] – Horace Henderson
Drums [Featuring] – Big Sid Catlett
Guitar [Featuring] – Dave Barbour
Piano [Featuring] – Lennie Hayton
Tenor Saxophone [Featuring] – Illinois Jacquet
13    Suddenly It's Spring 2:37
Composed By – Jimmy Van Heusen, Johnny Burke
14    Do Nothin' Till You Hear From Me 2:58
Composed By – Bob Russell, Duke Ellington
15    I'll Be Around 2:40
Composed By – Alec Wilder