Customer Reviews

Sarah Vaughan's Finest Hour

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
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My favorite Sarah next to the Essential Sarah Vaughan. Buy it. You'll love it.Arrived promptly in condition advertised.

Only four (4) repeats from the Expanded Edition of "Sarah Vaughan's Golden Hits" album. Get pass that you have a Well-Put-Together Package from the start to the Finish! Culled from her mid 50's to early 60's recordings for Mercury Records. Key Cuts: "How High The Moon", "I'm Glad There Is You", "Dedicated To You" featuring Billy Eckstine on vocals!, "Shulie A Bop", "Stardust", and "Sassy's Blues". 18 (Eighteen) Tracks in all!...Under and/Or around $7.00 or 12.00, now who could ask for more???

Is it humanly possible for a female vocalist to possess a voice that cannot be described or matched by anyone ever? I listen to Sarah Vaughan and what she does is miraculous. Not only the range (which has to be over 3 octaves, please) but the tonal qualities and perfect pitch. Then, to top it off, the musicality to use it like a musicians horn. There will never be a voice like this again and I thank God that she made many recordings. I am equally grateful that I got to see her in concert a number of times. If possible, she was even better in person. This album, especially STARDUST, will make you a true convert. As Ella Fitzgerald said when Sarah died, "we have lost the greatest voice." What a compliment coming from another incredible musical giant.

I just recently discovered Sarah Vaughan and Amazon. And I love both! The process was easy and fun. I received my package promptly and in perfect condition, and haven't stopped listening to it since. Thank you

I get goose bumps listening to the lush intro of "Misty" in anticipation of Sarah sensually delivering the first line "Look at me......" There is more "goose bumping" here with the sophisticated melancholy of "Lush Life" and "It Never Entered My Mind." "Dreamsville" and "Night Song" are, well, very dreamy! Sassy swings with "How High The Moon", "Shulie a Bop" and "Sassy's Blues." There's even a bit of campy 50's pop with "Make Yourself Comfortable" and "Broken Hearted Melody." A heck of a lot of Sass and Class is packed into the 62 minutes on this disc. There are many more "finest hours" in Sarah Vaughan's body of work, like her "Sings George Gershwin" double CD, but this is simply wonderful!

"Walk my way
And a thousand violins begin to play
Though it might be the sound of your "Hello"
That music I hear
I get misty the moment you're near."
~ Misty ~ Words & Music By Johnny Burke & Erroll Garner

"Sassy is so good that when I listen to her I want to cut my wrists with a dull razor." ~ Frank Sinatra ~

I categorize this CD from my collection as "My Parents' Music." This is the kind of music I've been hearing when I was growing up and learned to appreciate and enjoy now. What I remember vividly from Sarah Vaughan's songs when I was little is a song I loved but never heard any other versions. It's called "Whatever Lola Wants, Lola Gets." ;) Likewise, her songs that grew up with me such as "Tenderly," "Mr. Wonderful" and "Experience Unnecessary" are the very songs that remind me most of Ms. Sassy.

Listening to this CD is a totally mystifying experience not only to fans of Ms. Vaughan but to anyone who loves the standards that are beautifully executed more so by a jazz diva such as the "Sassy & Divine Sarah." This is truly her finest hour and a showcase of eighteen classics from the finest composers ever lived - the Gershwins, Berlin, Rodgers & Hart, Cahn, Strayhorn, Carmichael & Parish, Dorsey & Madeira, to name a few.

The richness of Ms. Vaughan's voice as well as her musical versatility can be heard in my all-time favorites: "Misty," featuring Zoot Sims on sax, "Stardust," "Lullaby of Birdland" and a swinging "How High The Moon." These tracks are true representations of her artistry in scatting. "I'm Glad There Is You," "Lover Man" and a duet with Billy Eckstine "Dedicated To You" are also three of the most remarkable tracks that will delight you. This classy presentation ends as she scats "Sassy's Blues," one that she co-wrote with Quincy Jones and runs the longest among the tracks.

How can you not love this CD? With a jazz diva, who was a Grammy-awardee for the Best Jazz Vocalist, singing the standards in elegance and surrounded by great arrangers/conductors and ultra-talented musicians, the likes of Bob James, Quincy Jones, Herbie Mann, Willie Bobo, Clifford Brown and Cannonball Adderly, among many others. Aren't these compelling reasons to have this in your collection?

Wholeheartedly recommended.

As with many "greatest hits" collections, this CD suffers from a handful of tracks that could have been left off. Most of the material is terrific. I mean, this woman can caress the heck out of a lyric. However, careful editing/selection could have created a more consistent product.

Sarah Vaughan was incredible.her tone is so powerful&full of depth.she covers a wide range of styles.great musicianship&arrangements.this is the kind of recording that is timeless&just sounds better with time.this is a must have.