The Nearness of You (Helen Merrill album)

The Nearness of You
Studio album by Helen Merrill
Released	1958
Recorded	December 18 and 19, 1957, Universal Recording Studios, Chicago, February 21, 1958, New York City
Genre	Vocal jazz
Length	37:30
Label	EmArcy
Helen Merrill chronology
Merrill at Midnight (1957) The Nearness of You (1958) American Country Songs (1959)

The Nearness of You is the fifth studio album by Helen Merrill.^[1]

Track listing

1. "Bye Bye Blackbird" (Mort Dixon, Al Henderson) - 2:57
2. "When the Sun Comes Out" (Harold Arlen, Ted Koehler) - 4:47
3. "I Remember You" (Johnny Mercer, Victor Schertzinger) - 2:11
4. "Softly, as in a Morning Sunrise" (Oscar Hammerstein II, Sigmund Romberg) - 3:19
5. "Dearly Beloved" (Jerome Kern, Mercer) - 2:07
6. "Summertime" (George Gershwin, Ira Gershwin, DuBose Heyward) - 3:28
7. "All of You" (Cole Porter) - 3:33
8. "I See Your Face Before Me" (Howard Dietz, Arthur Schwartz) - 2:39
9. "Let Me Love You" (Harlan Howard) - 2:48
10. "The Nearness of You" (Hoagy Carmichael, Ned Washington) - 4:06
11. "This Time the Dream's on Me" (Arlen, Mercer) - 2:21
12. "Just Imagine" (Lew Brown, Buddy DeSylva, Henderson) - 3:21

Reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
Source	Rating
Allmusic	[1]
The Rolling Stone Jazz Record Guide	[2]

John Bush of Allmusic said that "Alternately breathy and atmospheric or bright and dynamic, Helen Merrill often reaches a bit too far on The Nearness of You, though her distinct style and strong personality may be refreshing to vocal fans tired of the standard versions of standards...Her powerful voice occasionally gets her into trouble, breaking from breathy to brash and often occupying a rather awkward middle ground.".^[1]

Personnel

Tracks

01, 03, 04, 05, 06, 08, 11:

• Helen Merrill - vocals
• Mike Simpson - flute
• Dick Marx - piano
• Fred Rundquist - guitar
• Johnny Frigo - double bass
• Jerry Slosberg - drums
• David Carroll - arranger, conductor

Tracks

02, 07, 09, 10, 12:

• Helen Merrill - vocals
• Oscar Pettiford - double bass
• Bobby Jaspar - flute
• Bill Evans - piano
• George Russell - guitar
• Jo Jones - drums
• Hal Mooney - arranger, conductor

References

1. "The Nearness of You". Allmusic. Retrieved April 24, 2011.
2. Swenson, J. (Editor) (1985). The Rolling Stone Jazz Record Guide. USA: Random House/Rolling Stone. p. 138. ISBN 0-394-72643-X.