Sarah Vaughan (1924-1990) has probably been “anthologised” on LP and CD more than any other female jazz singer, including Ella and Billie. This latest addition to her already enormous discography samples her career from its beginnings with Dizzy Gillespie in 1944 to her backing by Quincy Jones in 1962.
All that is absent are Sassy’s latter day and brilliant recordings on Norman Granz’ Pablo label in the 1970s and 80s. But this “centenary tribute” offers ample evidence of her productive “Old Testament” years. Every track is a gem, and it is difficult to select the “best”. But here goes: My tips would include the early recordings with Dizzy – Lover Man (with a supporting Bird), Interlude (aka A Night In Tunisia) and Mean To Me (again featuring Parker). Obviously inspired by such distinguished company, her vocals are crystal clear and endlessly inventive.
Later studio recordings including those with Teddy Wilson and Buck Clayton – Don’t Worry ’Bout Me and September Song (1946), Lullaby Of Birdland, with Clifford Brown and Paul Quinichette (1954), Alexander’s Ragtime Band and Passing Strangers with Billy Eckstine (1957) and Smoke Gets In Your Eyes with Thad Jones and the Count Basie Orchestra (1958). Sophisticated Lady and Every Time We Say Goodbye, with Mundell Lowe and George Duvivier (1962) would complete my self-imposed choices.
This Retrospective set benefits from perceptive notes by Digby Fairweather which summarise and trace her career with various record labels from over half a century. He aptly quotes from the New York Times obituary which described Vaughan as “a singer who brought an operatic splendour to her performances of popular standards and jazz”. He then offers his own perception of Sassy’s increasing “use of words, vowels and even consonants mid-lyric in a physically (and regularly openly seductive) way”.
Here we have Sarah Vaughan – strings and all – repeatedly demonstrating that her title “the divine one” (bestowed by DJ Dave Garroway) was not hyperbole. Just listen.
Discography
CD1 (1944-1950): Lover Man: Interlude (A Night In Tunisia); Mean To Me; You Go To My Head; A Hundred Years From Today; I Can Make You Love Me; My Kinda Love; I’m Thru With Love; Body And Soul; Don’t Worry ’Bout Me; September Song; I Cover The Waterfront; Tenderly; The Man I Love; It’s Magic; What A Difference A Day Made; Nature Boy; Black Coffee; I Cried For You; Summertime; The Nearness Of You; Ain’t Misbehavin’ It Might As Well Be Spring; Nice Work If You Can Get It; East Of The Sun; I Love The Guy; Perdido (79.37)
CD2 (1954-1962):Shulie A Bop; Prelude To A Kiss; Old Devil Moon; Lullaby Of Birdland; I’m Glad There Is You; You’re Not The Kind; April In Paris; Whatever Lola Wants; It Never Entered My Mind; Poor Butterfly; All Of Me; Alexander’s Ragtime Band (with Billy Eckstine); Passing Strangers (with Bill Eckstine); Broken-Hearted Melody; Misty; Smoke Gets In Your Eyes; Moonlight In Vermont; Smooth Operator; Eternally; Serenata; Sophisticated Lady; Every Time We Say Goodbye; Baubles, Bangles And Beads (78.43)
Vaughan (v) on all tracks with collective personnel including Dizzy Gillespie, Miles Davis, Buck Clayton, Clifford Brown, Thad Jones (t); Charlie Parker (as); Bud Powell, Al Haig, Teddy Wilson (p); Flip Phillips, Al Cohn, Don Byas, Budd Johnson, Paul Quinichette, Zoot Sims (ts); Joe Benjamin (b); Roy Haynes (d).
Retrospective RTS 4417
