Gershwin Live [Live]

Sarah Vaughan (Artist), Michael Tilson Thomas (Conductor), Los Angeles Philharmonic (Orchestra) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Orchestra: Los Angeles Philharmonic
• Conductor: Michael Tilson Thomas
• Audio CD (October 25, 1990)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Live
• Label: Sony
• ASIN: B0000025MZ
• Also Available in: Audio Cassette  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #100,259 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars WHAT AN ABSOLUTE JOY!!!, September 19, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Gershwin Live (Audio CD)

Never before, and never since, has a singer been blessed with a voice as flexible and capable as that of the late Sarah Vaughan. In addition, she was a first-rate musician (she had perfect pitch, was an accomplished pianist, and was an incomparable interpreter of music). This CD is her last regular, full-length album, and it is certainly one of the best, I'm sure. This is a live performance with the Los Angeles Philharmonic, and the night is magical.

At this point in her career, Sarah's voice had matured and deepened into a super-contralto that could still effortlessly scale the heights of a soprano. And she does. On all of these Gershwin tunes, she takes the songs to places they've never been. "The Man I Love" is triumphant in every since, especially its absolutely stunning scat section. I listen to it over and over again! Once you hear Sarah sing "Someone to Watch Over Me," you'll never want to hear anyone else sing it again. It can't be any better. There are so many other fantastic moments on this album, and there are absolutely no clunkers on this set. NONE! This woman deserved more recognition than she got, even though she was the recipient of many awards. She was undeniably better than the late Ella Fitzgerald, who wasn't too bad herself! In fact, Ella considered Sarah the best jazz singer in the world! I think that says it all!

Buy this album if for no other reason than to hear some of the last recorded work of a great and legendary artist who was taken away from us before her time. You will not regret it.

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Inspired, enthusiastic performance, July 11, 2000

By 

Steve Hanks (Tacoma, WA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Gershwin Live (Audio CD)

In this collaboration between Sarah Vaughan and MichaelTilson-Thomas---both accomplished Gershwin interpreters---it's clearthat they are both enjoying the experience immensely (look at the expressions of delight on their faces in both cover-art photos). Tilson-Thomas accompanies her on the piano on three numbers, and those performances are energetic and inspired. On the other tracks, hearing her voice backed by a full orchestra is really cool --- she sounds wonderful against an orchestra. The arrangements and orchestrations on this album, particularly the three medlies, are original and inspired. She used them in her live performances for years to come. Her interpretation of "Someone to Watch Over Me" at the end of track 2 is slow, rich, gorgeous, and memorable. In short, it's a great album: she's in great voice, singing great music with great backing, and everybody enjoys the experience. A reviewer mentions that she talks but does not sing on the album. I don't understand this criticism: I just listened to the whole album, and the only speaking she does is to say "thank you" between tracks. No problem.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A recording especially for Gershwin lovers, June 13, 2000

By 

Steve Hanks (Tacoma, WA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Gershwin Live (Audio CD)

This is a recording of a live Hollywood Bowl concert from the mid-80's, with Michael Tilson-Thomas conducting the LAPO.

It's obviously a labor of love for both of them---Tilson-Thomas has recorded his share of Gershwin, and the arrangements and orchestrations were new and bold, and fit her voice beautifully---she used the same arrangements for *years* in her live concerts, but they never sounded as good as with the full orchestra backing her. The collaboration is at its best on "Sweet and Low Down," where Tilson-Thomas accompanies her, and they're both totally delighted by the performance (you will be too).

So buy this CD for three reasons: two lovers of Gershwin in a great collaboration, Sarah Vaughan's voice backed by a great orchestra, and exceptional arrangements and orchestrations (the medleys are really brilliant). Oh, and one more reason: the rendition of "Someone to Watch Over Me" is a total killer---very slow, very thoughtful, extremely moving.