HELEN FORREST WITH THE HARRY JAMES ORCHESTRA - I've Heard That Song Before
Sounds of Yester Year DSOY2069
Helen Forrest vocals with the Harry James Orchestra
Recorded in the early Forties and the early Fifties
Helen Forrest was one of the best of the big band singers in the Forties and although she worked with both Artie Shaw and Benny Goodman her best work was with the Harry James Orchestra.
The singer made nineteen recordings during the period 1941 to 1943 with the Harry James Orchestra and according to sleeve notes they all present on this album, the balance are from the Harry James in Hi-Fi recorded in the early Fifties.
Helen left the James band in 1943 after a brief affair with James when James became involved with his future wife Betty Grable. She later struck up a partnership with singer Dick Haymes making a number of popular duet recordings, after which she appeared to disappear from the musical scene before joining the Tommy Dorsey ghost band in the Sixties.
This album of her recordings with the Harry James Orchestra contain some of her best work with such popular numbers as “I Had the Craziest Dream”, “I Cried For You”, “But Not For Me” and “I Don’t Want To Walk Without You” all of which were popular with the record buying public.
Helen Forrest had a light swinging style always kept in tune and sung good songs and where possible included the verse as well as the chorus.
Also on these recordings there are plenty of examples of the trumpet playing of the leader and also Willie Smiths fine alto playing.
Anybody who is interested in early big band vocals as well as the nostalgia market will find this a worthwhile purchase.
Reviewed by Roy Booth
Sounds of Yester Year DSOY2069
Helen Forrest vocals with the Harry James Orchestra
Recorded in the early Forties and the early Fifties
Helen Forrest was one of the best of the big band singers in the Forties and although she worked with both Artie Shaw and Benny Goodman her best work was with the Harry James Orchestra.
The singer made nineteen recordings during the period 1941 to 1943 with the Harry James Orchestra and according to sleeve notes they all present on this album, the balance are from the Harry James in Hi-Fi recorded in the early Fifties.
Helen left the James band in 1943 after a brief affair with James when James became involved with his future wife Betty Grable. She later struck up a partnership with singer Dick Haymes making a number of popular duet recordings, after which she appeared to disappear from the musical scene before joining the Tommy Dorsey ghost band in the Sixties.
This album of her recordings with the Harry James Orchestra contain some of her best work with such popular numbers as “I Had the Craziest Dream”, “I Cried For You”, “But Not For Me” and “I Don’t Want To Walk Without You” all of which were popular with the record buying public.
Helen Forrest had a light swinging style always kept in tune and sung good songs and where possible included the verse as well as the chorus.
Also on these recordings there are plenty of examples of the trumpet playing of the leader and also Willie Smiths fine alto playing.
Anybody who is interested in early big band vocals as well as the nostalgia market will find this a worthwhile purchase.
Reviewed by Roy Booth
