Helen Merrill with Strings

Helen Merrill with Strings is the second album by Helen Merrill, featuring the singer fronting a quartet augmented by a string section arranged by Richard Hayman, recorded in 1955 and released on the EmArcy label.

Reception

The AllMusic review by Richard Mortifoglio called the album "an unmitigated artistic success. The strings are tastefully scored, the songs are classics or soon to be, and Merrill's delivery is by turns emotional, haunting, and highly musical."

Track listing

"Lilac Wine" – 4:26
"Anything Goes" – 3:07
"Mountain High, Valley Low" – 3:02
"Beautiful Love" – 3:15
"Comes Love" – 3:03
"End of a Love Affair" – 3:29
"When [I Fall in Love]" – 3:22
"The Masquerade is Over" – 4:03
"Just You, Just Me" – 3:35
"Spring Will Be a Little Late This Year" – 3:51
"You Won't Forget Me" – 3:10
"Wait Till You [See Her|Wait Till You See Him]" – 3:22

Recorded in New York on October 21, October 22 and October 24, 1955

Personnel

Helen Merrill – vocals
Hank Jones – piano
Barry Galbraith – guitar
Milt Hinton – double bass
Sol Gubin – drums
Unidentified strings arranged and conducted by Richard Hayman