The Artistry Of Helen Merrill

After her London performance in 1959, Helen Merrill spent four years focusing her career in Italy. Inspired by her experiences, she developed a keen interest in global folklore. In 1964, she recorded this collection of music blending bossa nova, which was then booming in the U.S., with traditional folk songs. At her artistic peak, Helen Merrill lends her husky voice to Brazilian classics like “Quiet Nights,” the Italian song “Cannetella,” and Japanese folk tune “Itsuki no Komoriuta,” accompanied by musicians such as Charlie Byrd, Hal McKusick, and Jimmy Giuffre.