Album 92
Sarah Vaughan - Sarah Vaughan
Drinking: Stone Ripper IPA
- "Lullaby Of Birdland": This is arguably my favorite song performed by Sarah Vaughan. I first heard it on a mix CD offered through my college History Of Jazz course and was pleasantly surprised to see it on this tracklist. Honestly, this song fires on all cylinders with lovely melodies, catchy lyrics and hooks, and some great instrumentation and performances. It's a 10/10 track for me. It's a touch of sweet nostalgia mixed with technical prowess and it really sings (pun not intended). I love the drum solo and even more so I love Sarah's scat solo which is perfectly delivered. You get to experience Sarah's full range of voice on this track.
- "April In Paris": Elegant opening on the piano paired with Sarah singing in her lower register. It's a magical moment. I wish I could have had an opportunity to see her live. The piano playing is delicate and beautiful. Oddly, I'm drawn in by the stirred snare, which is not something I normally hone in on. It holds the atmosphere together in a nearly invisible way. Vaughan's visual description puts me onto the streets of Paris. This song captures a feeling of sad but sweet nostalgia.
- "He's My Guy": The intro is light and airy, like the sound of fresh new love. The lyrics confirm it as it starts with "He's my guy, I don't care what he does, 'cause he's my guy. I guess he always was." It's a swinging love song, and sure, it's not the best song on the LP, but I wouldn't skip it either. I love the first sax solo on this track. Honestly, I'd love to hear Paul Quinichette and Clifford Brown perform a solo together a la Bird and Miles Davis performances. I don't love the piano solo here, but it works in the mix and the atmosphere. What I'm missing here is a solo from Vaughan.
- "Jim": I listened to this album on a reissued LP, and it also has a different order for the tracks, and "Jim" came up before "He's My Guy". This feels like a better order considering narrative, but it's still an odd choice to pair these on the list because their tone and story are so jarringly different. "Jim" is a melancholy love song about being in love with someone who doesn't do much in return. Perhaps unrequited love? Not likely, but it's just specific enough to leave you wondering. They do a great job of capturing the bittersweet feeling that Sarah sings about. The trumpet solo really shines on this track. It's strong yet delicate, crisp in tone, and wonderfully melodic. It captures the troubles of a troubling romance, sung perfectly in the line "Staying even though she wants to leave."
- "You're Not The Kind": This song has a classy swing to it. I feel like this is an honest peek at Sarah's inner being (even if she didn't write it). Paul's solo is excellent as well. This has that classic Jazz feel to it without seeming stale. The flute solo is a bit weak for my liking, but it still sounds pleasant. Clifford's solo is a breath of fresh air after the previous solo, mainly because I love his sense of rhythm as he plays. This song features one of my favorite lines on the album, "I'm just a song and a dance, you're a symphony." What a line.
- "Embraceable You": Sarah Vaughan's vibrato on this song is quite amazing. This song reminds me of my first dance as a child. I love the piano playing on this track, especially that delicate solo. This song captures this fragile feeling, much like young love. I loved it.
- "I'm Glad There Is You": This song features a sweet intro with lyrics we've all felt at some time or another. Sarah's technique on this track is quite enjoyable. Her vibrato continues to be awe-inspiring. It's not my favorite track, but I wouldn't go out of my way to skip it. The mix on this track is masterfully done. Clifford's playing weaves in and out of the free moments on this track without stealing the light. Well done all around.
- "September Song": On my copy, this song was the first track. Honestly, I think it works better as an opening, but it holds its own on the back end of this release as well. This is a lovely standard Jazz track, soft and slow. There's some more excellent soloing from Clifford Brown. Sarah's voice captures the blues of oncoming autumn and winter while Brown's solo holds tightly onto the feeling of summer. I could listen to this song any day at any time.
- "It's Crazy": This song picks up the pace which is a nice change from "I'm Glad There's You" and "September Song". "I act like a fool, what do I care, I'll be a fool as long as you're there, it's crazy, but I'm in love," is such a great line. It's the essence of new love. Clifford captures that fresh new romance magic with his solo like a pro. This track has a snappy quality to it that I greatly enjoy. I wonder if Paul Q. took lessons from Paul Desmond, or visa versa because there's a similarity to it that I enjoy. Sarah's voice pulls all the pieces of this song together in a captivating way. You can feel the electricity in the room over the speakers. The last moment on this track is, in my humble opinion, quite hilarious.
Overall Thoughts: "Lullaby Of Birdland" is still my favorite song on this album, but I've spent the most time with it as well. I do wish more of the album has that magical sound, but this album still holds its own and deserves a place in anyone's collection. It's a classic, and you should listen to it as soon as possible. The drink pairing for this album wasn't right, it needed a more appropriate beverage like a good cocktail, or a loose leaf tea. Something you can contemplate while taking in this delightful recording.
Info: This album was released in 1954 through the EmArcy record label. It was produced by Bob Shad and features Sarah Vaughn on vocals, Clifford Brown on trumpet, Paul Quinichette on tenor saxophone, Herbie Mann on flute, Jimmy Jones on piano, Joe Benjamin on bass, Roy Haynes on drums, and Ernie Wilkins as a conductor.
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