Hiba Dahir

Vocal Music III

12/20/16
Lena Horne- Being Myself
In 1998, the singer Lena Horne released her final studio album, Being Myself. The
album consists of ten songs that distinguish her vocal capabilities and a smooth, soulful tone.
After listening to the entire album, I have determined that I enjoyed listening to her voice as it is
calming but I would not listen to another album of hers. Each songs was the same with tempo,
rhythm, instrumentals, etc. Therefore, allowing none of the songs to be original or creative.
The album started off with the song Some of My Best Friends Are the Blues as it was
introduced with a minute prologue of the artist speaking. As soon as she was finished speaking,
the electric piano kicked and saxophone kicked in. In some of the songs such as As Long As I
Live and A Sleepin Bee, Horne established a womanly tone as her notes were tall and
rounded. However, in A Sleepin Bee, she used her head voice for the low notes that she sang;
thus, creating an airy sound. I would have also enjoyed hearing more consonants in A Sleepin
Bee because I could not completely understand the words she sang.
Though A Sleepin Bee could have used more consonants, As Long As I Live
emphasized the consonants at the end of each word. Most of the songs had a largo tempo except
for Its All Right with Me, as it had a moderato tempo. The song caught my attention as it
consisted of an upbeat and used percussion to catch the audiences attention. Autumn in New
York used a more fantasy fiction type of sound from the various instrumentals used in the
song. Her vibrato shined through with Autumn in New York specifically. Hornes vocal
abilities were broadcasted in Imagination and How Long Has This Been Going On? as there
were not much instrumental; only the guitar and xylophone.

Almost all of the songs had a largo tempo and were about sad occasions such as After
You and Willow Weep for Me. However, Willow Weep for Me and Autumn in New York
were my favorite songs from this album as they were the most creative with lyrics and
instrumentals.
This album was not the most entertaining, but it was quite soothing. Lena Horne uses soft
instrumentals to allow the audience to focus on her voice. She has a deep, smooth jazz voice with
the perfect touch of vibrato.