About Carmen McRae's Recording of "I'll Remember April"

 



"I'll Remember April" is a bittersweet song about a person who's had a brief love affair in April.  One of the lovers-- the one telling the story-- acknowledges the loss but is grateful for having had the affair.  This song, written by Gene DePaul in 1942, is one of those standards that's been recorded by a number of artists, including Sarah Vaughan, Frank Sinatra, Johnny Hartman, and other great jazz and pop singers.  Their recordings are either too slow and syrupy or too upbeat for listeners who want to focus on and appreciate the special words as well as the music of this song. 

There's one recording of "I'll Remember April" that's just the right tempo and just the right style.  It's the recording by Carmen McRae.  McRae's performance of the poignant yet lovely "I'll Remember April," is showcased in this post.  Enjoy!