Lena...Lovely and Alive
Lena Horne · 1962
35 min · 12 tracks · jazz
A lush tapestry of orchestral jazz arrangements paired with Lena Horne's silky, emotive vocals creates an intimate listening experience.
Top tracks — play these first
-
→
I Concentrate on You — This track highlights Horne's rich vocal tones against a backdrop of sophisticated orchestral arrangements, encapsulating the album's blend of intimacy and elegance.
-
→
I've Grown Accustomed to His Face — Horne's performance here showcases her ability to convey deep emotional nuance, turning this standard into a personal reflection on love and loss.
-
→
I Only Have Eyes for You — This track stands out for its haunting arrangement and Horne's exquisite phrasing, creating a moment of pure romantic longing.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
Lena Horne's emotive interpretations and lush arrangements create a cohesive and engaging jazz album.
What we noticed
- The album features lush orchestral arrangements that complement Horne's vocal delivery, creating a rich soundscape.
- Each track showcases Horne's ability to interpret jazz standards with emotional nuance, often emphasizing phrasing and dynamics.
- Composition 25% of the score
-
7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
-
8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
-
6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
-
7/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
-
8/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- intimate moments of vocal warmth
- melancholic tunes for rainy days
- sophisticated elegance in every note
Maybe skip if you
- prefer high-energy, fast-paced music
- seek lengthy, sprawling albums
Where this album fits
- Career context
- By 1962, Lena Horne was an established star, having transitioned from film to music with significant acclaim. This album, her first release after a five-year hiatus from recording, showcases her smooth vocal style and interprets classic standards, solidifying her status in the jazz and pop realms.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Ella Fitzgerald· Billie Holiday· Sarah Vaughan
Moments worth listening for
Where the writing does something specific.
-
I Get the Blues When It Rains
The bridge introduces a poignant shift where the mood intensifies with imagery of rain symbolizing sorrow and heartache.
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 I Concentrate on You 2:42
- 2 I Get the Blues When It Rains 3:39
- 3 I've Grown Accustomed to His Face 3:02
- 4 I Got Rhythm 2:50
- 5 I'm Confessin' (That I Love You) 3:26
- 6 I Want to Be Happy 1:48
- 7 I Surrender, Dear 3:31
- 8 I Found a New Baby 2:07
- 9 I Understand 3:45
- 10 I Let a Song Go Out of My Heart 2:41
- 11 I an't Got Nobody (And Nobody Cares for Me) 2:18
- 12 I Only Have Eyes for You 3:16
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
Sync your library
Everything you track here works immediately — no account needed. Create one when you want to sync across devices.