Shirley Horn's meeting with a string section and an orchestra arranged by
Johnny Mandel has some exquisite moments although sometimes it is just overly sweet.
Horn recorded with her trio (which includes bassist
Charles Ables and drummer
Steve Williams) first, emphasizing slow ballads. Mandel used the pianist-vocalist's improvisations and chord voicings as the basis for his charts and trumpeter
Wynton Marsalis took guest solos on "A Time for Love" and "Quietly There."
Shirley Horn fans will love this CD (which includes such numbers as "Here's To Life," "How Am I To Know" and "If You Love Me") but no real surprises or contrast occurs.