Home : Plato's Words : October 2002

October 2002

Awhile ago I spoke to some friends who had gone down to Seattle in late August to see Shirley Horn at Jazz Alley. I knew that she had not been doing that well but didn't know that she is confined to a wheel chair and so far is not playing the piano. There she sat in a chair singing as beautifully as ever, according to my friends, while singing with another pianist's accompaniment. Apparently the pianist really did do a fantastic job in playing in a similar style to Shirley's. They did say it was quite strange somehow to see her just sing after all the years of hearing her accompany herself. I can't yet imagine hearing her any other way. In all the recordings I have of her and when I have seen her live it is the total "package" that has me be her adoring fan. I was able to see her live a couple of years ago at Jazz Alley and just as she does in those beautiful recordings she did there live. Songs came to life with that quiet and spacious sculpting approach. No other musician I believe uses space the way she does and still says so much. She really can dig in too and does so when the tune calls for it but more than anything she has the ability to gently coax you into her story and there you stay until her last two notes, low on the piano as is usually her ending. I love those endings too. The song may have been highly emotional and have you teary eyed and then those two notes kind of sassily get tossed in there as if to say "don't take it so seriously, it was just a story…"

One of my favorite recordings that Shirley Horn has made is I LOVE YOU PARIS which is a live recording made in 1992. From the very first swinging track of "Wouldn't It Be Loverly" to the Zen inducing "Do It Again" hearing this concert must have been heaven to the fans that were there. Each time I listen it seems as though I am there and I feel excited to hear the thundering applause in between each brilliant rendition. Another recording, HERE'S TO LIFE still has me catch my breath when I hear the title track and the strings enter and then her singing voice. That whole recording is full of emotion and release and anyone feeling stressed should just put it on, sit, close their eyes, listen and soon they will feel better, guaranteed.

On the recording LIGHT OUT OF DARKNESS Shirley projects a more playful side in her tribute to Ray Charles with her rendition of "Makin' Whoopee", "Hit The Road Jack" and "Hard Hearted Hannah". Still, there is the song which Kermit the Frog has sung; "It's Not Easy Being Green". Somehow when Shirley Horn plays and sings it you want to cry for the poor little frog. It is absolutely beautiful. It's funny I can't think of one recording that I have of hers that I don't absolutely love. Truthfully each recording whether studio or live seems to capture her genius as a musician and storyteller. What can I say, she is my absolute favorite!!

Perhaps I will take Shirley Horn's approach this month and will say less and keep my words for this month short. No more rambling. Go and listen to Shirley Horn…

Karin