Interesting Collection of Song
Scott H. Johnston | Oakville, ON, Canada | 06/28/2003
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Sarah Vaughn's voice is incomparable and this collection captures her uniquely illuminating sound nicely. The first track, "Ain't Misbehavin'" (made famous years earlier by the great Sachmo) is given a wonderful treatment here. It perfectly showcases her light, pop vocal capability. The next two tunes, Gerschwin's standard "Summertime" and "Wave" reveal a deeper richness of dark soul and texture. Other interesting moments on the album include Carmichael's "The Nearness of You", highlighting Vaughn's dexterity around the jazz ballad. "Can't Get Out of This Mood" and "I Cried For You" prove why Vaughn belongs alongside Billie Holiday and Ella Fitzgerald as one of (if not the) best jazz vocalists of all time. The album ranges the span of decades and comfortably captures Vaughn's broad talent. It neatly showcases both her technical virtuosity as well as her emotional power. It is a good place to begin any examination of "Sassy" Vaughn, a jazz artist who struck the perfect balance between jazz virtuosity and popular appeal. Truly, this is jazz!"