Light out of Darkness (A Tribute to Ray Charles)

Performer: Shirley Horn
Engineer: David Baker
Producer: Shirley Horn
Distributor: Universal Distribution

Notes: Full title: Light Out Of Darkness: A Tribute To Ray Charles. Personnel: Shirley Horn (vocals, piano, organ); Gary Bartz (alto saxophone); Charles Ables (guitar, bass); Tyler Mitchell (bass); Steve Williams (drums); The Hornettes (background vocals). Recorded at Clinton Recording Studios, New York, New York, from April-May 1993. Includes liner notes by Tom Terrell. For this change of pace, singer/pianist Shirley Horn performs 15 songs associated with Ray Charles. Of course, Horn sounds nothing like Charles, but she sometimes captures his spirit on such songs as "Hit the Road, Jack," "You Don't Know Me" (which finds her switching to organ), "Makin' Whoopee" and "How Long Has This Been Going On." Joined by her regular trio (with bassist Charles Ables and drummer Steve Willliams), some of the songs have Ables switching effectively to guitar, while Tyler Mitchell fills in on bass. Altoist Gary Bartz guests on five of the dozen selections. While emphasizing ballads, as one always expects, this is a fun set that includes more medium-tempo tunes than usual for a Shirley Horn set. ~ Scott Yanow The stunning LIGHT OUT OF DARKNESS is at once Shirley Horn's loving tribute to the genius of Ray Charles, a stylistic departure from the introspective jazz balladry she's known for, and a journey into the world of R&B. Horn and her trio swing hard on these tracks, and the organic R&B tinged jazz arrangements absolutely simmer, with Horn singing, playing piano, and Hammond B-3 organ. Her distinctive sultry and smoky vocals are bluesy and conversational, similar in approach to Charles'. Horn's masterly chord cluster style of piano playing punctuates her every vocal phrase. Her heartfelt solo rendition of "Being Green" forms the emotional centerpiece of the record, while other highlights include rocking versions of "Bye Bye Love" and "Hard Hearted Hannah," as well as the gorgeous vision of love lost, "The Sun Died." LIGHT OUT OF DARKNESS displays Ray Charles's influence on the artistry of Shirley Horn to superb effect.

Entertainment Weekly (9/24/93, p.94) - "...this time out, Horn steps to the side, paying homage to hero and influence Ray Charles. On this pleasantly personalized tribute, Horn swaps dry suavity for Charles' gospel wail..." - Rating: B Down Beat (11/93, p.52) - 3.5 Stars - Good Plus - "...Pushing 60, Horn continues to ride the comeback trail, this time with an album of songs associated with, though not mostly written by, Ray Charles...."

Despite the encouragement of Miles Davis and Quincy Jones early in her career, jazz pianist and singer Shirley Horn stuck around the Washington, D.C., area and raised a family, playing the local clubs all throughout the '70s. In the early-`80's however, Horn was recorded first by the European SteepleChase label, then by Verve, and her career finally began to take off. Horn's graceful keyboard style is class personified, and ballads are her vocal specialty. She eventually received seven Grammy nominations, won an award for the Davis tribute I REMEMBER MILES, and was inducted into the Lionel Hampton Hall of Fame in 1996. Despite being ill with diabetes in later years, Horn performed and recorded until her death in 2005.

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