Doghousesmall
Doghouse
6037
Seasons of a Life
(2006)
Lena Horne
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Label: Blue Note Records
Duration: 41:31
Genre: Broadway & Vocalists

Any one who is not able to appreciate artist in their latter years should avoid this CD. That being said Season of a Life is a necesarry part of my Lena Horne collection, though it won't be my favorite. Just having what could be her last recorded version of Stormy Weather is worth it. Those of you who think she has done that enough may not know that it is not always the artist decision. Most of the CD's with Stormy Weather on it are compilations which have the same 1936 version on it. Except for the original Stormy Weather album which came to CD in 2002, and the Lena Goes Latin CD. Anyway, I think the arrangements on Seasons of a Life and Lena's take on the songs are refreshing. If only she had done these songw with the same band in her late a few years before when her voice was better. However some of Rodney Jones' dates incorrect. Tracks 2,5&6 (Classic Ellington CD)were recorded in 1999 not 2000, but released in 2000. And tracks 3&4 were done in 1994 but release in 1995 for an Evening With Lena CD. Singing In the Rain was done in 1997, but released in 1998 for the Soundtrack. That makes me question when Stormy Weather and the other tracks were really recorded. Also everyone says that this album was done in 1999, but not released. I read in a BET magazine interview with Lena in fall of 1999 and she said she completed 3 songs as a tribute to Billy Strayhorn;(Classic Ellington CD) and a disk of Harold Arlen and Cole Porter. So Seasons of a Life is not that album. And if you go to the All About Jazz website and type in Rodney Jones then click on Soul Manefesto, you will discover a msg. board in 1999 which he clearly says that summer he was working on a new Lena Horne album with her in the studio and the 3 Billy Strayhorn songs. So maybe she was too ill to promote it in 2000 or she didn't sound so good and they decided not to release it. But again, this is not that album. I guess they thought no one in the public would remember back that far. Anyway, enjoy Seasons of a Life. Maybe one day the real recording from 1999 will be released.


TrackDuration
Black Is5:20
Maybe2:43
I've Got to Have You (Live)
I'll Always Leave the Door a Little Open (Live)
You're the One2:55
Something to Live For (2004 Digital Remaster)
Chelsea Bridge4:51
Singin' In The Rain
Willow Weep for Me5:06
Stormy weather
Original Release: 2006-01-24
Composer: Harold Arlen, Nacio Herb Brown, Marissa Dodge, Duke Ellington, Kris Kristofferson, Richard Rodney, Ann Ronell, Billy Strayhorn, Ted Koehler
Producer: Rodney Jones
UPC: 724349426528