Search - Sarah Vaughan :: Snowbound / the Lonely Hours

ANOTHER EMI MUST HAVE!

Giovanni | Chicago, IL | 08/19/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The good people at EMI have been putting out "2fers" (2 great albums on one CD) like this for a few years now; and I have yet to get a bad one. Artists like Nat King Cole, Louis Prima, Vic Damone, Billy May, Nelson Riddle, Vic Damone, and most recently, Judy Garland have been the subject of such releases, and the results are astonishing. Top-notch remastering for optimum sound, and replication of original liner notes of both albums at hand further add to the appeal of these CD's, and this collection from the immortal Sarah Vaughan is no acception. The first sides, the SNOWBOUND album, find Sarah backed by the impeccable string-laden charts of one of the music industry's finest, Don Costa. The title track sets the mood perfectly for a cozy listening session of some great standards as only Sassy could do 'em. The jazz standard "Stella By Starlight" really stands out here. Other highlights include heartfelt readings of the Johnny Mercer classic, "I Remember You" and the beautiful "I Fall In Love Too Easily", complete with oft-skipped verse. Throughout all the tracks, Sassy sings plaintively, but also sometimes fervently. Listen to the heartache in "Friendless", a seldom heard gem backed by the lush orchestrations of jazz giant Benny Carter and orchestra. There are just as many standards included on the "LONELY HOURS" sides. The arrangements here are just as fabulous. The radical arrangements on Irving Berlin's "What'll I Do?" and the old chestnut "You're Driving Me Crazy" are works of art in themselves. But straight-ahead readings of the classics like "Solitude" and "The Man I Love" find Sarah in "a zone" of perfection. There are times when she really swings (albeit softly) like on the closer, "So Long My Love". One particular track of note, "These Foolish Things" may be the most beautiful recording of this classic to date. Benny's arrangement really abets Sassy to give her all here. The sides on "THE LONELY HOURS" really capture the mood of one who has been wronged in love; the despair, the heartache and longing, the hopefulness that love will come again, and the wistfulness that comes with love lost. This is in no small part to what seems to this reviewer the perfect harmony between arranger and singer during these sessions. They find the mark song after song as to what the respective composers were trying to convey when these great songs were written. A certain treasure to add to your collection as soon as you're able!"

Aburst of starlight, snowbound with sarah

E. M Oreta | quezon city, m.m. Philippines | 12/12/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Sarah Vaughan recorded this under Roulette. Her voice was at the height of its magnificent power, and she shows it.

Fans love her because of her histrionics, the high, low, extended singing that when you think, she's got to get a breath, she continues on. You are caught and gasp in wonder.

What song is the best? Snowbound, the first, makes you want to make the captivity permanent.

I Hadn'et Anyone Till You, thank god, she feels that way about me. Stella by Starlight, a great burst of cosmic power. I Remember You, Tony Bennett said that he considered this one of the best pop songs ever, and who can argue with him after hearing Sarah's version. Solitude, how touched to hear her introspection.

Many peoplefind her lacking in emotion, but this is more than made up by the fireworks that is her voice and style. And after listening to her, there is just awe and hunger for more."