SARAH VAUGHAN
Sarah Vaughan (EmArcy/Verve)
Reviewed by Ron Saranich

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Sarah Vaughan was one of the greatest female jazz vocalists, ranking alongside Billie Holiday and Ella Fitzgerald. She had a wide vocal range and wonderful expressive ability to convey considerable feelings through her songs. For this session, originally recorded in 1954 and re-released this year through Verve's meticulous 24-bit digital transfer, Vaughan was thirty years old and in her prime.

Choosing 9 standards and ballads, Vaughan sounds relaxed and happy. Her voice shines with a joy and élan for life most vocalists could only dream of approaching. Vaughan was capable of reaching four octaves and she displays that wondrous gift throughout. Backed by the young but incredible Clifford Brown on trumpet, Herbie Mann on flute, Paul Quinichette on tenor, Jimmy Jones on piano, Joe Benjamin on bass, Roy Haynes on drums and Ernie Wilkins as arranger/conductor, Vaughan produced arguably the finest example of vocal jazz ever recorded.

If you are a Clifford Brown fan, get this reissue. As the All Music Guide writes, Brown "displays his incredible bop virtuosity in a restrained setting without sacrificing either the simple feeling of his notes or the extraordinary flair of his choices." The man was in fine lip that day. Paul Quinichette also contributed some excellent solos.

This is jazz vocals at its best. Sarah Vaughan, when she wasn't mired in the morass of pop tunes, was a great vocalist. On this record, she makes the songs come alive with her impeccable voice, and transcends the ordinary. The results are a haunting record that has withstood the test of time. Highest recommendation!

Track List:

Lullaby Of Birdland, April In Paris, He's My Guy, Jim, You're Not That Kind, Embraceable You, I'm Glad There Is You, September Song, It's Crazy, Lullaby Of Birdland (alternate take).

© 2001 - Ron Saranich