Tuesday, 2 July 2024

Lena Horne

I didn't know about this one at all so thanks to "Bob" across the channel !!! different Lena and well worth a listen !!


 When the album by vocalist Lena Horne backed by guitarist Gabor Szabo was released in 1970, it came out on Skye Records, a label formed in 1968 by Szabó, vibraphonist Cal Tjader, arranger Gary McFarland and executive Norman Schwartz. The label's catalog was largely jazz-pop...The company was forced into bankruptcy in late '70. After Skye's assets were acquired by Buddha Records in '71, the label re-issued Lena & Gabor as Watch What Happens, with a re-ordered playlist.
In 1969, when the album was recorded, Horne was largely an elegant variety show belter and hadn't recorded in about four years. By contrast, Szabó was a guitarist with a proto-fusion approach to chord voicings and tone.. The pairing of these two different artists could have been a mess. Instead, it was a stroke of genius by producers Szabó and McFarland. In fact, much of the musical fabric uniting these two was the handiwork of McFarland, who arranged the album.

          11. Watch What Happens.

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