Describing Ms. Schneider as a legend in not overstating her status in the least. Though Amercian producers, displaying typical ignorance, blocked Ms. Schneider's ascent in the U. S., she has had great success abroad, notably in Germany. The few U. S. releases we've had are indeed to be treasured, as much for their quality as for their rarity.
I first saw Helen on a Showtime special in the very early 1980s and was astonished at her range, power, charisma, and poise with a large variety of material. I can still remember how her "Until Now" rattled the rafters and subsequently recording the entire show (very poorly) on my own audiocassette. Finding a rare copy of her first LP, "So Close", was something of a miracle, as were the "Kick" albums in the mid-80s. Things began to look up with the fabulous Kurt Weill album (her "September Song" surely must be the definitive version) in 1990 and "Right As the Rain" in 1995. But the last two releases, "A Voice and a Piano" and this "Cool Heat" are truly the best representation yet of her phenomenal ability.
"Cool Heat" opens with a dazzling version of "Love For Sale"; Helen's soaring vibrato and natural dramatic feel totally redefine that song's meaning and importance. Other versions of chestnuts like "Over the Rainbow", "Don't Get Around Much..", and "Solitude" are given similarly resurrected performances. At some point, her dynamic range and power are almost too much for many of the lyrics to support and I often find myself playing back certain passages in sheer disbelief at what this miraculous woman is doing.
I don't know how Ms. Schneider feels about being a well-kept secret in her own country; she may be perfectly okay with it. As a long-time fan, I think it's the best criminal indictment yet of the state of the music "business". No wonder artists like Joni Mitchell are fed up with it as well. If you are hesitating about sampling this disc, don't. Your musical life may never be the same.