Stormy Weather
Lena Horne · 1957
61 min · 21 tracks · jazz
A blend of lush orchestration and Lena Horne's rich, emotive vocals creates a timeless atmosphere of jazz sophistication.
Top tracks — play these first
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Stormy Weather — The title track encapsulates Horne's emotional depth, transforming the classic into a poignant reflection on heartache and resilience. Her nuanced phrasing elevates the song beyond its original context.
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Mad About the Boy — This track showcases Horne's playful yet wistful vocal delivery, expertly balancing humor and longing. The arrangement supports her voice beautifully, making it a highlight of the album.
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Summertime — Horne's rendition of this Gershwin standard highlights her ability to convey both warmth and melancholy, setting a benchmark for future interpretations with its smooth delivery and intricate phrasing.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
Lena Horne's emotive vocals and lush arrangements create a sophisticated jazz atmosphere, though some tracks feel repetitive.
What we noticed
- The album features lush orchestration that complements Horne's vocals, creating a rich sonic texture throughout.
- Each track showcases Horne's emotive delivery, with several songs featuring subtle tempo changes that enhance the emotional impact.
- The running time includes multiple interpretations of classic jazz standards, allowing for varied arrangements and vocal phrasing.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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7/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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5/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Significant within its genre. 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 evening listening sessions
- rich emotional vocal delivery
- nostalgic reflections on love
- cathartic moments of longing
- melodic storytelling with elegance
Maybe skip if you
- prefer upbeat, fast-paced music
- want experimental soundscapes
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Released in 1957, Stormy Weather marked Lena Horne's return to the recording scene after a period focusing on film and live performances. It came after her successful stint in Hollywood, where she had become a cultural icon. This album showcased her ability to reinterpret jazz standards alongside more contemporary material, reaffirming her status as a leading figure in vocal jazz.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Ella Fitzgerald· Billie Holiday· Sarah Vaughan
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Tomorrow Mountain 2:57
- 2 Out of This World 3:39
- 3 Summertime 2:54
- 4 Mad About the Boy 3:06
- 5 Ridin’ on the Moon 1:58
- 6 Stormy Weather 3:47
- 7 Baby, Won’t You Please Come Home? 2:14
- 8 Any Place I Hang My Hat Is Home 3:33
- 9 I’ll Be Around 2:56
- 10 I Wonder What Became of Me 3:00
- 11 Just One of Those Things 2:09
- 12 Stormy Weather 3:54
- 13 Come Runnin’ 2:55
- 14 From This Moment On 1:56
- 15 A Cock‐Eyed Optimist 3:30
- 16 I Have Dreamed 2:16
- 17 The Surrey With the Fringe on Top 3:51
- 18 Wouldn’t It Be Loverly 2:52
- 19 What’s Right for You (Is Right for Me) 2:58
- 20 Sweet Thing 2:32
- 21 That Old Feeling 2:16
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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