Description

Helen Humes – Swingin With Humes – Cassette

Helen Humes’ Swingin’ with Humes, released in 1961, is a vibrant jazz and blues album that captures the elegance and energy of the acclaimed vocalist’s style. Known for her versatility and expressive voice, Helen Humes transitioned smoothly between jazz, blues, swing, and even pop throughout her career, and Swingin’ with Humes showcases her ability to adapt her voice to different moods, tempos, and styles. This album stands out as one of her most lively works, filled with swing standards and blues-infused tunes that highlight her nuanced vocal delivery and her impeccable phrasing.

The third of Helen Humes’ three memorable Contemporary releases, all of which are out on CD, features the distinctive singer on a dozen standards that she had missed documenting thus far. With fine backup work by trumpeter Joe Gordon, tenor saxophonist Teddy Edwards, pianist Wynton Kelly, guitarist Al Viola, bassist Leroy Vinnegar and drummer Frank Butler, Humes is in top form on such tunes as ‘When Day Is Done,’ ‘There’ll Be Some Changes Made,’ ‘Pennies From Heaven’ and ‘The Very Thought of You.’ One of her better albums.

On Swingin’ with Humes, Helen Humes interprets a variety of jazz standards and blues tunes, blending emotional depth with an upbeat, swinging feel. Her voice is warm, powerful, and clear, with a controlled vibrato and a remarkable sense of timing that allows her to play with phrasing. This album showcases Humes’ range—she can be flirtatious, soulful, or melancholic depending on the song, all while maintaining an effortless swing feel.

The instrumentation, provided by a small jazz combo, complements Humes’ voice beautifully, with crisp rhythms and melodic lines that allow her to shine. The arrangements are straightforward but sophisticated, emphasizing her vocal strengths without overpowering them. The album draws on themes of love, heartbreak, joy, and resilience, typical of jazz and blues, and Humes delivers each song with a distinct personality that makes the album feel varied and dynamic.

Swingin’ with Humes highlights Helen Humes’ extraordinary talent and adaptability, capturing her at a moment when she was returning to jazz after several years performing blues and rhythm and blues. The album reflects her deep roots in both jazz and blues and serves as a testament to her ability to blend these genres effortlessly. Although not as widely known as some of her contemporaries, Humes was highly respected among jazz musicians and fans for her vocal clarity, warmth, and interpretive skill, and this album remains a favorite for those who appreciate classic vocal jazz.

For fans of vocal jazz, Swingin’ with Humes is a showcase of Humes’ ability to convey emotion and swing in equal measure, making it an essential album for those exploring the great jazz vocalists of the 20th century. The album encapsulates the charm and sophistication of jazz vocals, offering a timeless listening experience that celebrates Humes’ contribution to jazz and blues.

Fantasy Records

Song List
1. When Day Is Done
2. Home (When Shadows Fall)
3. There’ll Be Some Changes Made
4. Someday My Prince Will Come
5. I’m Confessin’
6. S’posin’
7. Pennies From Heaven
8. Very Thought Of You, The
9. Baby Won’t You Please Come Home
10. Solitude
11. I Surrender Dear
12. My Blue Heaven