This came out in 2002 – or at least that’s when I got it. Here’s what I said about it back then (with some minor editing):
Maybe it’s because most of the big-name pop and rock acts are hibernating. Maybe it’s because I spent the last month swinging to the Rat Pack Christmas album. Or maybe it’s just because they both start with the letters J and A. Whatever. All I know is I always seem to listen to a lot of jazz in January. Looks like this year is no exception — thanks mainly to a cornucopia of cool titles that landed in stores before the holidays. At least four respected labels — Blue Note, ECM, Impulse and Verve — have impressive and affordable new retrospectives or reissues on the racks right now. Even if you don’t know be-bop from doo-wop, I suggest you give one or two a try. Here’s a little primer to help you get into the swing on Sarah Vaughan:
WHO: One of the most powerful, distinctive and just plain gorgeous voices in jazz, Vaughan was gifted with a near-four-octave range, perfect vibrato control and a seemingly innate ability to bring out the best in any song she tackled.
WHEN: Although she started off in the typical role of big band vocalist, it’s indicative of her monumental talent that Vaughan spent most of her career as a solo artist, issuing her first album in 1947 and recording almost until her death in 1990 at age 66.
WHAT YOU GET: A 16-cut compilation that focuses on her heyday in the ’50s, when she recorded timeless versions of My Funny Valentine, Lover Man, Lullaby of Birdland, How High the Moon and (for my money) the ultimate rendition of Lush Life.
WHERE SHE FITS IN: Next to Ella and Billie in the top rank of female jazz vocalists.
