Customer Reviews

Ballads: Sarah Vaughan

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I'm not ususally a fan of hodgepodge collections like this one, preferring to hear the artist's conception of a single album (for the best of these, get Verve's re-issue of Sassy's self-titled triumph). But I find myself haunted by the songs compiled here, and whoever chose this group of tunes did a wonderful job. They flow easily into one another and illuminate the vulnerability and boozy sadness of Sarah Vaughan's voice to a magical effect. For those of you who know her only thanks to the appearance of "Key Largo" in the Acura commercial (okay, it's a great song and you get commended for seeking her out), you'll be glad you spun this disc for yourself. All of the cuts are terrific, but I keep coming back to "Dreamy," "Guess I'll Hang My Tears Out to Dry," "Solitude," and "If I Had You." The compiler of this CD knew that there were [romantics] like me out there who would eat this up, but it's a bittersweet symphony Sarah gives and she never sounded better. Great disc!

"You go to my head like sip of sparkling burgundy brew & I find the very mention of you like the kicker in a julep or two," Sarah sings on my favorite track from this excellent collection. Backed by Count Basie's orchestra, Sarah smokes through this classic tune. On the Duke Ellington classic "Solitude," Sarah's vocals swerve and sway around the melody communicating both the loneliness of the present and joys of the past, "In my solitude I pray, 'Dear Lord above, send back my love!'" Benny Carter's arrangement then comes in and the horns swell as if to heighten the emotion. "Midnight Sun" is another stunning melody with Ernie Freeman's organ creeping in wistfully. From Irving Berlin's "If I Had You" to the classic "Lover Man" Sarah imprints her stamp on these melodies. "Ballads" is an excellent collection. EMI has done a great job with the engineering, making the songs sound fresh, like Sarah is sitting in my living room. Enjoy!

I admit that I was inspired to buy this cd not only from listening to the local jazz radio station here but also from the Acura commercial featuring the track "Key Largo". I wasn't from the generation who got to see her perform live. She's one of the performers along with Duke Ellington who I wished I was born early enough to see them perform. The beauty of Sarah Vaughn, in my humble opinion is that she has a knack for bringing out emotion from a song and yet make it sound so effortless. Her sound is elegant and romantic which makes it a good complement to a dinner meal or a relaxing evening away from work and sitting by the fire sipping red wine. I've enjoyed Key Largo as well as all the other ballads and look forward to listening to more of her music.

This collection of ballads by Sarah Vaughan is a must-have for anyone who values a solid jazz vocal collection. There are two sides to every jazz vocalist's repetoire - the sad and the delightful, and this collection of ballads is sure to caress your lover's wounds. "Solitude," "Round Midnight" and "I fall in Love to Easily" are high(low?)lights on this album. But my favorite is "Key Largo," a song that takes you away with its fantastical imagery. The only other version I'v ehear comparable to Vaughan's is Gretchen Lieberum's version on her album "Siren Songs." Vaughan's version is classic but Lieberum's is a superb interpretation of the great classic ballad. Pair the two albums together and experience the flawless voices of old and new vocal jazz.

I love all of Sarah's work but her voice was at its peak during the early sixties and this collection has some lovely numbers. Key Largo is great but there are also some unusual arrangements by Gerald Wilson some like 'Round Midnight don't work and others do. Through it all the unique and glorious Vaughan shines.