Helen Carr - Why Do I Love You (1955)

2018-06-11T14:27:26Z

Helen Carr - Why Do I Love You (1955)


1 	Be Careful It's My Heart 	1:55
2 	My Kind Of Trouble Is You 	3:54
3 	Lonely Street 	2:20
4 	You're Getting To Be A Habit With Me 	2:22
5 	Bye Bye Baby 	3:34
6 	Then You've Never Been Blue 	2:29
7 	Summer Night 	2:19
8 	Got A Date With An Angel 	1:59
9 	Why Do I Love You 	3:41
10 	Do I Worry 	2:36
11 	I've Got A Feelin' You're Foolin' 	2:26
12 	I've Got A Feelin' You're Foolin' 	2:03

Acoustic Bass – Red Mitchell
Guitar – Howard Roberts
Lead Vocals – Helen Carr
Trumpet – Cappy Lewis

The title Why Do I Love You speaks volumes about the emotional context of Helen Carr's approach -- equal parts heartbreak, frustration, and resignation, her tough but tender vocals capture the dark side of romance at its most affecting. This Bethlehem session features backing from the likes of Red Mitchell, Howard Roberts, and Cappy Lewis, and their nuanced contributions further underscore the intimacy of Carr's performance. The song selection is also excellent, forgoing overworked standards in favor of more apropos material like "Lonely Street," "My Kind of Trouble Is You," and "Then You've Never Been Blue." ---Jason Ankeny, AllMusic Review

A real gem from the glory days of the Bethlehem Records jazz scene! Although the Bethlehem label had some great success with some of its vocal stars – like Chris Connor or Mel Torme – they also had a strong commitment to jazz vocals that stretched way past the big names, to include many excellent under-recognized singers, like Helen Carr. This rare album from the mid 50s is a perfect example of the label's commitment at work – as it features Carr in a beautifully no-nonsense setting, with spare instrumental backing by just a trio – Howard Roberts on guitar, Red Mitchell on bass, and Cappy Lewis on trumpet – a really unusual mix that helps make the album something special. The tracks are very well-selected – and move past the usual nuggets found on lackluster vocal jazz sessions, to include nice little tunes like "Symphony", "Lonely Street", "My Kind Of Trouble Is You", "Do I Worry", and "Then You've Never Been Blue". A nice lost vocal jazz treasure! ---dustygroove.com

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Helen Carr ‎– ...Down In The Depths On The 90th Floor (1955)

2018-06-06T21:10:11Z

Helen Carr ‎– ...Down In The Depths On The 90th Floor (1955)


1. Not Mine
2. I Don't Want To Cry Anymore
3. Tulip Or Turnip
4. Memory Of The Rain
5. Down In The Depths Of The 90th Floor
6. You're Driving Me Crazy
7. I'm Glad There Is You
8. Moments Like This

Charlie Mariano - Alto Saxophone
Don Fagerquist - Trumpet
Helen Carr - Vocals
Max Bennett - Bass
Donn Trenner - Piano 
Stan Levy - Drums

An overlooked vocalist inspired by Billie Holiday, Helen Carr never had time to make her mark on the history of jazz music during her short-lived career. Before her death at the age of 38 she only recorded two albums. One of the darkest vocal jazz albums of the 50s - packaged with a great title and cover image that features a lone lit window in a New York skyscraper! Helen has incredible backing on the record - a small combo that includes Charlie Mariano on alto sax, Don Fagerquist on trumpet, and Donn Trenner on piano - all gently sliding in behind Carr’s blue vocals in a way that’s similar to some of the Chris Connor work on Bethlehem from the same time. ---sacdr.net

She only recorded two albums. She may or may not have died in a car accident. Her year of birth is up for grabs. Who is Helen Carr?

It's a mystery, or at least a mystery in terms of digging up information about her on the Internet. She was born in Utah in 1924, or perhaps 1922, and once her career took off, she fronted for a number of big bands, including Stan Kenton and Charlie Barnett. Her voice is breathy and distinctive, and while some liken her to Billie Holiday, I think a sharp-toned Blossom Dearie is a much closer match if we're going for comparisons.

Yet why compare? She has her own sound, one that never quite comes at you directly, but sneaks up on you sideways and around corners. Her first - or was it her second? - LP, 1955's "Down In The Depths Of The 90th Floor" is also noteworthy because her set, including "Tulip or Turnip" and "I Don't Want To Cry Anymore" haven't all been done to death. Everything about it feels fresh. Adding to the mystery of Helen is the fact that she never reveals her face on her LP covers, including 1955's (or 1956's?) "Why Do I Love You" - a Cheerfully Heavenly Helen Exclusive! - which features two models (I'm assuming) making out on the beach. This version's been remastered, yet what makes it truly stand out, again, are the off-the-beaten-track song selections and Helen's gorgeous vocals, which can turn hot or cool on a dime.

Helen died in 1960, either in a car accident or due to breast cancer, leaving behind her husband, pianist/arranger Donn Trenner (who's still kinkin' at age 90). They even wrote a song together, "Memory Of The Rain," which is featured on "90th Floor." Treasure these two LPs, because that's all there is. ---thecheerfulearfull.blogspot.com

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Jazz

Helen Carr - Why Do I Love You (1955)

Helen Carr ‎– ...Down In The Depths On The 90th Floor (1955)