Search - Sarah Vaughan :: In the Land of Hi-Fi

Brings back such fond memories of my childhood

06/12/1998

(5 out of 5 stars)

"At the age of 30 one would consider that my music choice is slighly out of sync with the rest of my fellow age group.This CD is such a happy,fun sing along compilation of songs by the finest voice i have ever heard and always reminds me of music on a Saturday morning when my Dad blasted the home with all his music,from Beatles through to Crosby Stills Nash and Young...somehow this Cd always stands out above the rest and brings back very fond memories and still gets my feet tapping to its infectious melodies and lyrics....Whover reads this,buy it and hopefully it does the same for you too...."

One of the great jazz albums

Jim Andrews | Chicago, Illinois USA | 01/20/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Sarah Vaughan was mucho happy with this album. The songs are terrific, the arrangements dynamic, the orchestra a blast, the recording quality first-rate and Mercury gave it all top-quality packaging. Upon release, it became a big hit and I got it when I was around 16 and it just bowled me over. It still sounds great. One day a C.D. will be released of the album plus its myriad alternate takes where Sarah over the same arrangements changes her vocal delivery drastically ("I'll Never Smile Again" emerges unique each time). Meanwhile, this is dynamic, accessible jazz at its best, with the top players in the game and Sassy in top form. Some of the songs are rarities and I was told the lyrics to "Cherokee" originated with this album (maybe, maybe not, but I was told it).

Note on the cover how slim, how hip and how fashionable Sarah is and just damned cute.

In her beginning days she was achingly homely, then she went into a too-glamorous phase, and later she became hefty. But here she is slim, hip, happy, glowing and really darling. She was always of a happy disposition, which made her a favorite to work with.

She loved to chat and chatter in recording sessions and when she recorded her single "Please Mr. Brown" first did a parody in what I guess was meant to be a Bronx accent!

Everything in this album bespeaks greatness, but intimate greatness. It's not a star turn but a great talent truly enjoying herself and offering her public the best."

One of Her Best

M. Allen Greenbaum | California | 12/05/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Sarah really swings on this album, with tremendous backing from the full-bodied Ernie Williams orchestra. As with her album "with Clifford Brown," this showcases Ms. Vaughan's dramatic swoops, bends, and incredible phrasing, but there are no unnecessary dramatics. Her voice is supple, very confident, and she evokes just the right emotions. Every song is a gem, even the shop-worn "Over the Rainbow" is given a fresh treatment, and the bop "Cherokee" (featuring the first female vocal ever recorded) features stunning work by Adderley.The band is fantastic and matches Ms. Vaughan's exuberance. There are excellent sax solos by Cannonball Adderley and Jerome Richardson, and personnel also include trombone greats J.J. Johnson and Kai Winding on trombone, Roy Haynes on drums, Jimmy Jones on piano and Ernie Royal on trumpet. Think an unrestrained Count Basie of his "Atomic album" era: This album will move you. The recording quality is excellent, both by today's standards and especially for a 1955 recording. One of the best of Ms. Vaughan's albums I've heard-get this one!"