Charlie Haden Haunted Heart CD

"Haunted Heart," "Ev'ry Time We Say Goodbye" and "Deep Song" are followed by different performances of the same song without a break in between. The first performance in each case is by Charlie Haden Quartet West followed by an original performance of the track from the late 40's or early 50's by Jo Stafford (December 1947), Jeri Southern (March 1954), and Billie Holiday (February 1947).
Charlie Haden Quartet West: Charlie Haden (bass); Ernie Watts (tenor saxophone); Alan Broadbent (piano); Larance Marable (drums).

Additional personnel includes: Jeri Southern (vocals, piano); Jo Stafford, Billy Holiday (vocals); Paul Weston & His Orchestra, Dave Barbour Trio, Bob Haggart & His Orchestra.
Recorded at Studio Plateforme, Sete, France on October 27 & 28, 1991. Includes liner notes by Charlie Haden.
Charlie Haden loves film as much as music, combining both loves on the critically acclaimed Haunted Heart. Haden led his tremendous group Quartet West through 12 numbers, several, like Cole Porter's "Every Time We Say Goodbye," and Alan Broadbent's "Lady In The Lake," Arthur Schwartz and Howard Dietz's "Haunted Heart," and even the short introduction, with film ties and/or links. Haden transferred vocals on some numbers from Jeri Southern, Billie Holiday and Jo Stafford into the mix without disrupting or disturbing the group framework. Quartet West has emerged as a premier small combo, and Haden nicely paid tribute to the past without being held hostage to it. ~ Ron Wynn
This 1992 recording is a delight from beginning to end. Charlie Haden's rich musical vision has been fueled by many sources throughout the decades--first by singing gospel and country in his childhood, then by his furiously groundbreaking work with Ornette Coleman in the '50s, followed by his Spanish leanings in the '70s (and much, much more). With Quartet West he's been examining the rich heritage of jazz standards and popular songs.
HAUNTED HEART evokes the romanticism of film music, but while it addresses the feelings of nostalgia that the movies can stir, it's not nostalgic music, which is what separates Haden and his ensemble from scores of retro-celebratory musical enterprises. He even features performances by Jo Stafford, Jeri Southern and Billie Holiday, adding yet more magic and allure to an already crystalline concept. HAUNTED HEART is a consistently rewarding experience.Entertainment Weekly (7/17/92, p.58) - "...aural time travel, with musical reminders of postwar Los Angeles and its noir movies, Raymond Chandler novels, and sexy torch singers...a serenade of remembered delights..." - Rating: A
Down Beat (8/92, p.37) - 4 Stars - Very Good - "...A set of wistful ballads and gentle bop classics...paves no new paths but makes some gorgeous music...If, as [Haden] suggests, this disc should be treated like a film, I'll gladly buy the popcorn..."
Musician (9/92, p.108) - "...Nostalgia can be treacherous, but Haden's bop ensemble bars the door on schmaltz, allowing only consummate invention into this program of tunes from Hollywood's lush life..."
Village Voice (2/2/93, p.78) - "...The third Quartet West album is best, and not only because the latest excursion into noir jazz actually drafts three of the sultriest torch singers of postwar cabaret..."
Reflex (11/10/92, p.70) - "...The spirits are abundant and vibrant in this aural time capsule of Raymond Chandler's Los Angeles...Haden is in top form...via electronic magic, Billie Holiday, Jo Stafford, and Jeri Southern sing alongside the band, as the ghosts and the era are revitalized..."
New York Times (Publisher) (9/11/92, p.C24) - "...The noted bass player and his group pay homage to some of the more evocative pop and jazz sounds of the 1940's...drenched in film-noir moodiness..."