Lilac Wine in Bloomington, MN

Nearly a half-century after she recorded a classic album with trumpeter
Clifford Brown
,
Helen Merrill
's voice is still pretty strong. On
Lilac Wine
she performs a set of melancholy
ballads
that are heartfelt and lightly swung. Accompanied by a large orchestra from Czechoslovakia that is arranged by
Torrie Zito
Merrill
interprets all of the material at a slow dreamy tempo. The results are subtle, quietly emotional, and atmospheric. The only real change of pace is
Marian McPartland
's instrumental
"Portrait of Helen Merrill."
Otherwise all of the music is taken at the same slow tempo and in a similar mood. Despite the lack of variety, this quiet outing grows in interest with each listen. ~ Scott Yanow