Abbey Lincoln - When There Is Love (1994)

This CD is a change of pace for Abbey Lincoln. She interprets ten standards (plus four of her originals), all love songs performed as duets with pianist Hank Jones. Although there is some social comentary, the emphasis is on male-female relationships and Lincoln sounds more optimistic than usual. Among the more memorable selections are Duke Ellington's "Black Butterfly," "The Nearness of You," "You Came a Long Way from St. Louis," Fats Waller's "Jitterbug Waltz" and "You Won't Forget Me."
Abbey Lincoln is a dramatic singer whose interpretations are full of truth and insight such as her memorable performance on Freedom Now Suite, composed by drummer Max Roach. Many of her songs reflect the society in which we live, an assessment of society set to wonderful lyrics and swinging music. Here she takes another step into the pool of life singing all love songs.
Where There Is Love is a striking collection of songs dedicated to the most simple but complicated word in the dictionary, love. Some of these tunes have been in her repertoire for years, others are new ventures and four are originals such as First Came A Woman, Angel Face and the title song. She opens the love fest with an original poem A Part Of Me followed by There Are Such Things. This is a compilation of 14 serene songs performed by two living legends of jazz-Lincoln and pianist Hank Jones. They compliment each other's performance like two stars in the still of the night. Lincoln fills words with emotional intensity as Jones follows like a rhythmic shadow.
Abbey Lincoln is a shining star, who performs effortlessly in any musical context.

Personnel includes: Abbey Lincoln (vocals); Hank Jones (piano).
Recorded at Studios Davout, Paris, France on October 4-6, 1992.
Jazz vocalist and songwriter Abbey Lincoln contemplates the subject of love on this intimate 1992 recording, with the help of the extraordinary pianist Hank Jones. The result is a treat for the ears and the soul. With almost five decades of performing under her belt, Lincoln continues to tantalize and amaze with her highly personalized interpretations. She takes her time with her phrasing, pushing, then drawing out syllables behind the beat, and wringing every drop of emotion from each word. Lincoln has an uncanny way of making every tune she sings timeless.
Here she mixes originals with standards; her song "Angel Face" sounds like a classic. She sings the hell out of Hoagy Carmichael's "The Nearness of You," the lovely and rarely heard "Black Butterfly" by Duke Ellington, and Sammy Cahn's "I Should Care." Hank Jones performs magnificently throughout, and plays a wonderful stride piano-flavored solo rendition of "Close Your Eyes." This recording is a moving testament from two of jazz's finest artists.
Track Listings
01. A Part Of Me / There Are Such Things
02. When There Is Love
03. Black Butterfly
04. Angel Face
05. Nearness of You, The
06. Can't Help Singing
07. Close Your Eyes
08. I Should Care
09. You Came a Long Way From St. Louis
10. C'Est Si Bon
11. Jitterbug Waltz, The
12. Time After Time
13. You Won't Forget Me
14. First Came a Woman

Total time: 63:40


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