Duets

by Scott YanowSinger Helen Merrill and bassist Ron Carter explore 11 standards and an original apiece on this intimate and generally enjoyable set. There is not a great deal of variety, and Merrill's voice has sounded stronger elsewhere, but their versions of "I Fall In Love Too Easily," "A Child Is Born," "Autumn Leaves" and "There Is No Greater Love" are somewhat memorable. One has to certainly admire Merrill's constant desire to take chances in her recordings.