Customer Reviews

Sarah Vaughan (Black American Series)

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

 

 

I had reviewed this a year ago at a local library and wanted my grandmother to read when she visited over christmas, but the library stated it had been stolen and couldn't find another copy. I then decided to search amazon and found it, so i ordered two copies and sent one to my grandmother as another gift. she loved it! and said it was identical to sarah's true life because my grandmother was best friends with her when she was alive and i got the chance to meet when she visited one summer while on tour. it was great reading about her and remebering such a wonderful woman. a true story indeed!

I enjoyed reading the book on my favorite artist. However, I wish her life story included more details. Since Sarah was a private person I understand why there was not more details of her life. The book is a a quick read. If u are a Sarah fan u will still be content with this book.

Updating my first, somewhat scornful review, after re-reading Ms. Ruuth's book. I admit that she did note that Miss Vaughan didn't label herself as a jazz singer. But that doesn't jibe with Ms. Ruuth referring to Ms. Vaughan in chapter 1, as "The World's Greatest Jazz Singer." Guess that's what set me off. When Sarah passed, I even read accounts in some of the major media, ignorantly describing her as a blues singer. She acknowledged that she was not a blues singer, but had a blues feeling. I think I know what the author meant and was sincere when she referred to Ruth Brown as a soul singer. Ms. Brown was the very first Rhythm and Blues "Queen," (read the history of Atlantic Records.) The term soul singer came later. Also Ms. Ruuth erroneously states "Sarah recorded, in all more than two dozen albums, many which are now on CD." As a collector of Sarah Vaughan's music I have about 75 Sarah Vaughan albums. The accounts of Paula Kelly's friendship with Sarah are good reading. Incidentally, I recall Ms. Kelly as a soloist with the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater. To offer my personal recall of Miss Vaughan's career, I'd like to note that she had several signature songs during different periods. Her 1st was TENDERLY in the 40s, PERDIDO in the 50s, MISTY in the late 50s thru 60s, and SEND IN THE CLOWNS from the 70s on.
Please feel free to oontact me at dcgilliam1@verizon.net.