Four Classic Albums (Sarah Vaughan-With Clifford Brown / Swingin' Easy / At Mister Kelly's / No Count Sarah)

Great VFM

Arrived with a slightly damaged case, but I can replace that - it's the content that counts and that's what I bought it for. I should add that any damage at all is a rarity and only to be expected from time to time.

Very good stuff indeed.

Brilliant collection of Sarah Vaughan s songs.

Sarah Vaughan (1924-1990) was the very epitome of a jazz singer along with Ella, Carmen and Billie but still managed to spring a few surprises along the way within her long recorded career, particularly when she deviated her song material during the early Fifties and later to vocally embrace popular songs like SAY YOU’LL WAIT FOR ME, MISTY and BROKEN HEARTED MELODY plus the wonderful timeless PASSING STRANGERS with Billy Eckstine. Later forays into popular Sixties choices included albums dedicated to songs by The Beatles, bossa nova and some Bacharach numbers as part of her extensive repertoire..However, Avid’s two-disc/four album tribute turns the clock back to the Fifties in its random selection of jazz inclined albums with the first disc featuring the 1954 set recorded with Clifford Brown (trumpet); aided by Paul Quinichette (tenor sax), Herbert Mann (flute), Jimmy Jones (piano), Joe Benjamin (bass) and Roy Haynes (drums) and conducted by Ernie Wilkins. Very low-key but longish versions of LULLABY OF BIRDLAND, APRIL IN PARIS, EMBRACEABLE YOU and six other standards is the effective result. Three years later came SWINGIN’ EASY on which Sarah has a similar line-up of jazz musicians for such standards as POLKA DOTS AND MOONBEAMS, PENNIES FROM HEAVEN and BODY AND SOUL.Moving to CD two finds one of Sarah's live performance outings – on this occasion at Chicago’s Mister Kelly’s during 1957 with Jimmy Jones (piano), Richard Davis (bass) and Roy Haynes (drums) supplying the ideal intimate trio support for her rendition of WILLOW WEEP FOR ME, THOU SWELL, and HOW HIGH THE MOON among the nine selections. NO COUNT SARAH (1958) acknowledges its up-front title refers to the fact the singer was accompanied in the studio by the Count Basie Orchestra, but without the Count himself. However its very obvious CHEEK TO CHEEK, JUST ONE OF THOSE THINGS and SMOKE GETS IN YOUR EYES are amongst choices which echo the band blast of the great man in their arranging interpretation.Avid’s usual excellent remastering and presentation applies along with song credits, original artwork and liner notes.

Sarah Vaughan (AVID AMSC 1352) features four Mercury albums from the fifties. “S.V. with Clifford Brown” (1954) also includes Paul Quinichette (tenor) and Herbie Mann (flute) and has several extended tracks, with plenty of instrumental solos. From 1957 come two trio-backed albums; the relaxed and informal “Swingin’ Easy” (which omits “Linger Awhile”) and “At Mister Kelly’s”, which was recorded live before an unobtrusive but appreciative audience. Basie was unavailable when “No Count Basie” was cut in 1958, so his band backed Miss V. without him, and it’s the stereo version we have here. This compilation is another bargain from Avid.

This will come as no surprise to all of Ms. Vaughan's well deserved fans and admirers, but I was originally looking for the album "No Count Sarah" because I discovered the song "Doodlin'" only months ago and then her cover - I love that song, it's such a hoot! Well, couldn't find that album but I did find these CDs with three other classic albums! I'm no great collector or fan of jazz but this collection gives me the one song I wanted plus confirms to me why this lady is a jazz and vocal icon and was referred to as "The Divine Ms. Sarah Vaughan"! She sings with her trio on the "...Swingin' Easy", live "At Mr. Kelly's", albums, with Clifford Brown, and of course with Count Basie's orchestra without the master himself in attendance. What a find! I recommend highly for anyone that wants a sample of Ms. Vaughan's work, both in the stud

Great jazz vocals, with a band that really swings! Doesn't hurt that the legendary Roy Haynes is on drums! Today, (2022), he's in his 90's, and still going strong!