Lena Horne - We'll Be Together Again (1994)

Lena Horne is nine years older than the 70-something Tony Bennett, and like him has lost a good bit of power and tone from her voice. Unlike Bennett, though, she doesn't try to bull her way through her vocal limits on We'll Be Together Again; she stays within those limits and fashions a striking testament to the subtleties of romance and friendship in one's autumnal years. Billy Strayhorn was one of Horne's very best off-stage friends, and seven of the 16 tracks here were written by Strayhorn and/or his partner Duke Ellington. Three more songs--"My Buddy," "Old Friend" and the title tune--are heartfelt remembrances of those once dearest to Horne and now gone--Strayhorn, her ex-husband, her son, her hairdresser and her wardrobe mistress. ~Geoffrey Himes