Customer Reviews

The Calling: Celebrating Sarah Vaughan

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Be prepared to have the thrill of your life, as Dianne Reeves takes -
"The Divine One" Sarah Vaughan to the next level. This is one awesome
tribute to an artist who had all the dynamics of what life had to
bring if you were a female singer during those troubled times.

Each one of these jewels spells the haughty or down-home, bossy or
shy, diva-like or painfully insecure, had it all and was really hard
when she had to be, maybe hardest on herself - Sarah Vaughan.

Only
one singer could do her justice - Dianne Reeves, who in her own right
has all the God-given-talent to stand tall in the studio, front of
this magnificent orchestra, delivering effortlessly on each track
flawless performances touching on every phase of Vaughan's
career.

Of course there are stand outs - "LULLABY OF
BIRDLAND" (George Shearing/Forster), classic tune and this
classic interpretation by Dianne..."SEND IN THE CLOWNS"
(Stephen Sondheim), Dianne and Billy Childs pay homage to Sarah
without imitating her, completely reconceived the song, slow dramantic
aria expressing Vaughan's darkest fears..."I HADN'T ANYONE 'TIL
YOU" (Ray Noble), Dianne's sly, sexy vocal, have the low-down
swing of Vaughan's (1981) recording with the Count Basie orchestra -
trumpeter Clark Terry, Dianne's early mentor - adds his familiar
"mumbles" and a one hot solo.

And the the highlight -
"SPEAK LOW" (Kurt Weill/Nash), sensual wordless opening,
completely mesmirizing with haunting over-tones that will stay with
you for a long time.

Hats off to Blue Note Records, George Duke,
Billy Childs, Robert Freedman and to everyone who contributed to this
outstanding album - "The Calling - Celebrating Sarah
Vaughan"...the classic tribute and performances by MISS DIANNE
REEVES!

Total Time: 65:30 on 11 Tracks...Blue Note 7243 5 27694
2...(2001)

While Dianne Reeves is an exceptional singer (near flawless) and can "scat" perhaps better than "Sassy" herself, many of the arrangements on this album left me flat. One of the nicest things about listening to many of the great Sarah Vaughan recordings is that wonderful and intimate "live in the club" sound that even her studio recordings have. On "The Calling" many of the tunes were over processed by the studio, (even most of her breaths are edited out) and include excessive instrumentation that only gets in the way of Dianne Reeves wonderful voice. On some tunes her voice is actually buried by the orchestra's dynamics.

Some of the songs on this CD are not "fresh" or "innovative" versions of Sassy's music. For example, the arrangement of Sarah Vaughan's classic rendition of Lullaby of Birdland is a bit much. The arrangers approach to this tune was to simply take Sarah Vaughans intro scat riff as originally recorded, and literally beat it to death throughout the song. Alright, now everybody say bah ba bah ba bop bop bop do ahhh.....!!!! The CD's big band version of Sarah Vaughan's wonderful and intimate rendition of Key Largo did not do it for me either. Sassy recorded Key Largo with only two (2) instruments, Barney Kessel (guitar), and Joe Comfort (bass). If you like that tune seek out the record " Sarah Plus Two". It is wonderful.

On the tunes Fascinating Rhythm, and Embracable You, Dianne fights back and shows that she really is the one who deserves to wear "Sassy's Crown". On Fascinating Rhythm her scatting is true Sarah Vaughn. Dianne's intimate and romantic approach to Embracable You perhaps surpasses her.

While this CD does not "take Sarah Vaughan to the next level", as one reviewer said, it certainly rates among the best of what is available in jazz today. As a singer, I will always give Dianne Reeves five (5) stars, she is one of the best. The album gets three.

This is an amazing CD - brilliant and heart-wrenching and powerful. From the very first song Dianne puts her unique spin on some of Sarah's best-loved songs, or songs she would've dug in a BIG way, and makes them her own. Dianne sings mostly full-throated, like Sassy - but her ever nimble voice is capable of a LOT more, and out it comes!

The band is magnificent as well. The imaginative arrangements by Billy Childs are reminiscent of Gil Evans's and Gerry Mulligan's work, and Childs takes reharmonization of the old "standards" to a thrilling new place. The two charts by Robert Freedman are fascinating as well - the chart for I HADN'T ANYONE 'TIL YOU being a Neil Hefti-inspired groove ala LIL' DARLIN'. I personally found Clark Terry's mumblings disruptive and unwarranted, but the more I listen, the more I can deal with it.

One could make the case that some of this doesn't really qualify as "jazz", since so much here is NOT improvised - especially the last cut, A CHAMADA, a wordless tone poem - but it sure is great MUSIC! This CD has my vote for Best CD of 2001, so far!!

Dianne Reeves covers an astonishing range of moods and styles in this very impressive recording. Her incredible talent shines through on every song. Her inimitable scat on "Fascinatin' Rhythm" is worth the cost of the album, and the band came through with an inspired performance behind her.

If you are a died-in-the-wool devotee of Sarah Vaughan, as some of the other reviewers of the album obviously are, then you might be disappointed; but if you like great jazz, and are willing to listen with open ears to interesting takes on Sassy's repertoire, you will be delighted by this great work.

I went to a concert recently at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center (a beautiful hall BTW, arguably moreso than Carnegie) which I had learned Dianne Reeves was scheduled to perform a tribute to Sarah Vaughan, my personal favorite Jazz vocalist of all time. So needless to say, I was very excited for the concert. What I experienced that night was probably the best concert I've ever been to. Dianne at certain times had me convinced Sarah was actually in the building, perhaps singing backstage, and at other times showed us that she was more than just her pseudo-mentor. I, and the rest the audience was in total awe the entire time. I swear my girlfriend was in a daze sometimes and almost cried.

Little did I know that she actually had an album out of most of the same material. While nothing can ever beat live music (especially live Jazz) these arangements still sounds fresh, while paying homage to one of the jazz greats, so it doesn't matter. Overproduced or not, the lushness of "Embraceable You", the hauntingly beautiful "Send in the Clowns", the bossa nova "Key Largo" and the stunning and lively "Fascinating Rhythm" and "Obsession" can't be denied; these are absolutely pristine versions of some of Sarah's greatest songs which don't try to emulate, yet pay their respects at the same time. Once you hear the opening Scat of the first track, "Lullaby of Birdland", perfectly delivered by Dianne, you just know you're in for a good time. It can't be recommended enough.

Even with all the Jane Monheits', Norah Jones' and Diane Kralls' of the jazz world, none can truly touch the overall vocal ability and beauty, musicianship and pure presence that Dianne had that night, and I've seen Jane and Diane live as well. Dianne even sang her "hello" to the audience, I mean how much better can you get? Pure class act. Totally deserving of Sarah. Sassy would be pleased.

Buy this album A.S.A.P.

Diaane Reeves shows why she's the torch bearer for Sarah! In a performance which I feel is better than her Grammy winning "In The Moment", Ms. Reeves displays all of her abilities. Especially worth noting is "Obsession". I feel that this is a classic vocal/orchestral arrangement. Reeves sings with all of the power of Sassy herself. A must for vocal lovers.

I can't remember when I have been struck by a CD like this.
Dianne Reeves is at the top of her game: It just comes rolling out of her: Sassy her own way, and big time! Her performance is perfectly interwoven with Billy Childs writing, which is nothing short of brilliant. The orchestral intros and interludes are tender and introspective (Embraceable You), the arrangements are innovative, and skillfully develop as movements (Fascinatin' Rhythm in 5). The orchestra is superb, and is masterfully produced and recorded.

I bought this disc expecting nothing but excellence and I was not dissapointed. For those who are expecting a replication of Sassy this is not for you. This disc is an interpretation and a fine one at that. Ms. Reeves voice is like pure velvet. This woman can blow-hello! I highly recomend this disc. I count her as one of the true modern jazz vocalist of her time, the mighty triumverate(Cassandra Wilson, Diana Krall, Dianne Reeves). All other need not Apply. Check her out on Nicholas Paytons- Dear Louis, where she leaves you speechles with On The Sunny Side Of The Street.

I can't possibly imagine why anyone would want to perform a rendition of classics and fail to make them their own. For that reason alone Dianne Reeves is to be applauded for her tribute to "The Devine One. There was only Sarah Vaughn and there is only one Dianne Reeves. I thank God that they both shared their considerable gifts with us. That said.....I was taken to a new demension by the life Dianne breathed into this collection of songs associated with Sassy. The arrangements were great and Miss Reeves was in very fine voice. I'm sure Sassy Sarah would be proud.....I know I am.

"The Calling is a celebration of The Divine One, as she was called by Dianne Reeves, a younger singer who shares many of Vaughan's gifts: a gleaming, pitch-perfect voice, a multi-octave range, and a harmonic sense that takes her on some remarkable flights of fancy. Like Vaughan, Dianne has a fondness for crossing musical borders as if they didn't exist." ~ James Gavin ~

I share James Gavin's sentiments written on Liner Notes about Dianne Reeves, whose artistry I first appreciated upon hearing some of her most remarkable recordings such as "Better Days," "Bridges" and "A Little Moonlight." Diane Reeves gives a beautiful and sincere tribute to a legendary jazz singer with the most recognizable voice, Sarah Vaughan. A chanteuse-extraordinaire herself, she performs with a full orchestra filled with L.A.'s top studio players with the sublime chart arrangements of Robert Freedman and a Grammy-award winner, Billy Childs, who arranged most part of this album and who also plays piano on some tracks. Incidentally, Billy Childs whom I added lately to my list of all-time favorite brilliant arrangers/conductors in the league with Nelson Riddle, Johnny Mandel and Billy May, among others, has also worked with Chris Botti, Diana Krall and Gladys Knight. His works in this CD are all masterpieces of beauty and style. This tribute CD, "The Calling: Celebrating Sarah Vaughan" is one of the best CDs ever produced in the history of jazz music.

Allow yourselves to be swept away by the enchantment of two of my top favorite tracks here, "Speak Low" and "Embraceable You." Ms. Reeves made these timeless gems her own by flawlessly interpreting them in a mesmerizing fashion with her satiny and bluesy voice. "Speak Low" is incredibly beautiful with its Bossa Nova inspired arrangement! I couldn't believe my ears were listening to the most beguiling version I've ever heard of this classic from Kurt Weill and Ogden Nash. It is definitely my favorite rendition of all-time! It features Mulgrew Miller on piano, a fine Brazilian guitarist, Romero Lubambo on acoustic guitar and Munyongo Jackson on percussion. A classic of a gem from George and Ira Gershswin "Embraceable You" is also an ear-candy track where you could hear the creative talent of one of the finest guitarists in the jazz scene today, Russell Malone.

Ms. Reeves dazzles as she sings George Shearing's masterpiece, "Lullaby of Birdland" showcasing her knack for scatting. Ditto with a passionate and charming performance on Stephen Sondheim's "Send In The Clown," and an upbeat and zesty gem from the Gershwin Brothers, "Fascinating Rhythm." And not to mention an anchingly beautiful song which is rarely-recorded but Ms. Reeves made it so special by her emotional rendition, "If You Could See Me Now," a torch song by Tadd Dameron and Carl Sigman, who was also known for his enduring hit songs "Ebb Tide," "Answer Me," "Arrivederci Roma" and "It's All In The Game." (The song is dedicated to my ex-hubby--the special man I married and gave my pure heart and devoted soul to).

"If you could see me now, you'd know how blue I've been
One look is all you'd need to see the mood I'm in
Perhaps then you'd realize I'm still in love with you

If you could see me now, you'd find me being brave
And trying awfully hard to make my tears behave
But that's quite impossible, I'm still in love with you

You'll happen my way on some mem'rable day
And the month will be May for a while
I'll try to smile, but can I play the part
Without my heart behind the smile

The way I feel for you, I never could disguise
The look of love is written in my eyes
I think you'd be mine again if you could see me now"

Ms. Reeves shows off her songwriting talent in "I Remember Sarah," which she co-wrote with Billy Childs. It has been said that she just sat on the piano with Mr. Childs and made up the lyrics spontaneously.

According to Dianne Reeves: "Making this CD is a fulfillment of a dream born when I first heard Sarah Vaughan as a teenager. The dream continued to grow as I marveled at her magical touch with lyrics, melodies, harmonies and timbre."

She may not be another Sarah Vaughan for I believe that Sarah was Sarah, and Dianne is Dianne, but Ms. Reeves did an excellent job with this tribute to her musical hero. Both have the most alluring voices and exceptional singing styles of their own.

This award-winning CD for the "Best Jazz Vocal Album" at the 2001 Annual Grammy Awards deserves more than five stars and it is a gorgeous addition to your collection. A must-have for jazz lovers.

* * * * * TEN STARS * * * * *