Customer Reviews

Swinging Easy

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A renowned album by one of the greatest voices in jazz, Swingin' Easy features a program of first-rate songs, a trio and Sarah Vaughan at or near her prime. 'Lover Man' and 'All of Me' by themselves are startlingly good -- the singer covers impressive ranges, navigating with comfortable transitions and natural timing. Even the somewhat dated 'Polka Dots and Moonbeams', famous as a Sinatra/Tommy Dorsey number from the early 1940s, is something special on this recording. 'Shulie a Bop' finds the singer bouncing through scat solos in complete command -- a vocal tour de force and a breathtaking highlight. The minimal and tasteful backing of Malachi, Benjamin and Haynes accentuates the drama.

Swingin' Easy is one of those rare albums that doesn't come with any weak spots, making it an easy choice if you are new to Sarah Vaughan's music. The song selection and unparalleled interpretations make this one something special.

For me, this session ranks with "Sarah Vaughan/Clifford Brown" and "Live at Mr. Kelly's" as Sarah's most satisfying recorded work. The rhythm section format not only allows her more freedom than do the heavily orchestrated dates from this period but encourages her to conceive of her role as jazz instrumentalist rather than coloratura diva. Moreover, her voice was never better--silky yet vibrant, seamlessly continuous in all registers and devoid of any hint of wobble.

On ballads like "Prelude to a Kiss" and "Polka Dots and Moonbeams" Sarah is the song's best friend, bringing all of its melodic-lyric charms to life and requiring no more than a single pass to do so. Perhaps no further example is needed to demonstrate Sarah's mastery than "They Can't Take That Away from Me," when she not only recites but illustrates the words "off key" through her own playful intonation. And only Sarah could take ephemeral "riff" material like "You Hit the Spot" and make it sound worthy of inclusion in the Great American Songbook. But the sleeper on the program is "Words Can't Describe," an obscure song that, on the basis of Sarah's reading, should be a staple in the American Songbook.

The accompaniment is provided by two highly supportive, empathetic trios. To my ears, the walking bass lines of Joe Benjamin swing more than those provided by Richard Davis. Roy Haynes is the constant on all of the tracks, so the slightly different feel of the rhythm can't be attributed to the drummer.

I see that it's been 12 years since this CD was issued. It would be a pity if a singular session such as this were consigned to more of the "Best Of" or "Greatest Hits" anthologies that have caused us to lose sight of influential artists' most seminal projects.

I am new to Jazz and got this album on recommendation from the Rough Guide (which I also recommend). It was the first time I appreciated the human voice as an instrument. Her range and abilty to turn a phrase is phenomenal. The trio lets her take center stage. I have not enjoyed her other albums with orchestral backup (strings) as much because I find it distracting from her voice. I have given this album to others who have enjoyed it almost as much as I have. I'm glad to see this on Amazon's essential vocal recordings list. I hope you take a chance with this one as I did. You will not regret it!

Who won't go mad listening to Sarah's singing on "shulie a bop" ?
Everybody reminds of the way she introduces the musicians with her highly erotic voice : "John Malachi","crazy Joe Benjamin","Roy...Haynes!".Roy Haynes.One of the last great jazz drummers still alive.He plays brushes like mad in this record.
What more can I say about the music? Just look at the tunes: some of the most difficult to sing,like "lover man","body and soul",Duke Ellington's "prelude to a kiss" or "all of me",which belongs to Billie and Lester since that day of March 1941.Sassie sings great versions of "I cried for you" (another Billie's tune),"if I knew then" or Frank Sinatra's "polka dots and moonbeams".But for me,"shulie a bop" is the masterpiece of the session,a pure bop tune,which could have been written by Bird, with definitive drumming by Mr Haynes,and highly provocative scat singing by Ms Vaughan. A major record.

If you ever wondered about the influence behind some of todays top R&B or Jazz vocalists, wonder no more. Your search should end right here. Long Live The Queen!

Don't just listen to the music, vibe with the lyrics and how she creates a vivid picture with her vocal stylings. She is simply wonderful. Her voice is like a mix of Chambord, Courvoisier, and a warm fire on a cold night. My personal favorite is,"Words Can't Describe." If you ever want to woo your guy or girl, learn the words, (especially to "Lover Man", "You Hit The Spot", "Prelude To A Kiss" and "All Of Me.") slip in the CD and sing to him or her. No, you may not scat like Sarah, but you will leave an impression and he or she will definately get the message.

ONE WOMAN'S ADVICE: Before you depart from this earth, BUY SWINGIN' EASY..your ears will love you for it.

***Let's Stop Accepting Mediocrity As An Art Form, Buy This CD And Let Your Voice Be Heard.

This began as a 10-inch Sarah Vaughan LP on Mercury which, as I remember, was titled "Contrasts." Eight songs. When 12-inch LPs came along, four more songs were recorded and it all became "Swingin' Easy." The original cover was a garish painting, the new cover a very hip photo of a very hip Sarah relaxing in a very hip chair. The album is also very hip. Relaxed, inspired jazz, endlessly listenable, still fresh after nearly a half-century. She never topped "Shulie-a-Bop" but everything on this album is super.

This is actually the first Sarah Vaughan jazz recording I ever owned. Marvelous be-boppin' numbers from the early 50s are contained on this recording; here, we find Sass and her trio hittin' it hard--playing hard, swinging hard, be-boppin' hard, and having fun. The first number, "Shulie A Bop" is infectiously fun (scat along with Sass). Intensely fun is the way she introduces, in time with the beat, her remarkable trio: John Malachiiiii...Craaaazy Joe Benjamin...Roy......Haynes. Sass is also superbly Sass on "All of Me," "You Hit the Spot," and "Pennies from Heaven." She misses a couple of the marks on "They Can't Take that Away from Me." She hits a couple of those cacophonous jazzy clunkers she was so famous for, especially in the early recordings. I played this CD, along with several others, at a cocktail party last Christmas, and everyone asked about it. Try it. It's fun.

Sarah recorded many fine albums for Emercy, back in the 50's, but "Swingin' Easy" is without a doubt her finest, with her regualr trio, and with a voice like Vaughan's a horn is not missed. The only other albums from that period that come close to this are "Vaughan & Violens" and "Sarah Vaughan & Her Trio Live"(that was 60's). This cd has Sarah doing a difinitive version of the WWII era gem, Polka Dots & Moonbeams, that I'm sure made Sinatra proud(he recorded it w/ Dorsey's swing band). An exellent cd, with the original cover artwork, taht has Sarah in a cool 1950's modern butterfly chair.

Sarah Vaughn could entertain her audiences so skillfully so that very few artists could ever match her. Wherever she went Sarah enjoyed a very positive rapport with her audiences; and this CD gives us much evidence of her singularly exquisite talents.

The CD also offers a special treat in that Sarah rarely performed in small groups; on this album Sarah performs with only three musicians. This allows us to focus on Sarah's voice as her own musical instrument. Hooray!

The track set opens with "Shulie A Bop;" and wow, how she scats on this number! I like how Sarah introduces the trio: for this particular number John Malachi plays piano; Joe Benjamin plays bass and Roy Haynes is on drums. Excellent!

"Lover Man" gets an especially sensitive rendition that only Sarah could make for it; and "All Of Me" is delivered with great joy by Sarah.

"You Hit The Spot" begins with Sarah crooning so sweetly; she almost recites her lines instead of singing them and this produces a sublime effect. The number then switches gears and as it speeds up you'll feel like jumping up and dancing for joy as Sarah sings of her one true love. "Pennies From Heaven" offers Sarah yet another opportunity to show off her swinging, jazzy and soulful vocal talents as she sings this to perfection. The musical arrangement shines; the trio accompanying Sarah on this number consists of Jimmy Jones on piano; Richard Davis on bass and Roy Haines on drums. Oooh, how sweet!

"Body And Soul" receives the ultimate romantic ballad treatment by Sarah and her trio; and "They Can't Take That Away From Me" lets Sarah and her trio perform the most brilliant jazzy, romantic rendition this song ever got!

The CD ends with a brief bonus number that was not released on the original LP recording. "Linger Awhile" opens with a brief jam; and as the band jams further Sarah uses her voice as a musical instrument to jam right along with them. You will enjoy this bonus track as Sarah and the musicians are in perfect synchronicity.

The liner notes include the original covert art and the original liner notes for the record album release; and Benjamin Franklin V contributes a fine essay about Sarah, too. You'll also find a great black and white photo of Sarah in the recording booth.

Sarah Vaughn remains a titan in the history of quality jazz; her voice was such a musical instrument that only a very few artists could ever touch her. I highly recommend this CD for Sarah Vaughn fans; and people who enjoy classic jazz vocals will treasure this CD.

Enjoy!

Yes, the inimitable Sarah Vaughan once again proves she had no peer in jazz when it comes to improvisation and perhaps having the greatest voice EVER! Don't be put off by the relatively short playing time of this CD (only around 37 minutes), but what a glorious 37 minutes of music it is. I believe this CD--along with the other indispensable one she made w/ Clifford Brown--are necessary bookends of an incomparable career.

The setting here gives Sarah ample room to improvise without ruining the melody and structure of each song and shows off her immense vocal chops to their best ability. Sassy is not meant to be shrouded in heavy-laden strings or over-the-top bands blowing against her; she always seems inspired by a combo jazz trio as she has here. What are the standout songs here--how about ALL of 'em?! It was a dare for Sass to tackle and include "Loverman" "Body and Soul" and "All of Me"---songs so entrenched and identified w/ Billie Holiday, but she gives them a new spin and ultimately gives interpretations equal to that of Lady Day. Personal favorites are "Words Can't Describe", a rare unknown song that Sarah makes into a torchy slow-burner perfect in the dark, and "Pennies from Heaven", which she amply makes it lighter than air and sail over the clouds.

Verve/Universal are to be commended for coming out with remastered reissuings of famous jazz recordings the past few years by the likes of Louis, Ella, Billie and Dinah Washington. It's high time they include this essential recording in their future run of remastered recordings. It's too good to be left by the wayside.