'Sassy at Ronnie's'
'The Mystery of Man'
'Sophisticated Cissy'
'Sarah Sings Soulfully'
What The Critics Say
Sarah Vaughan's final Roulette session before going back to Mercury was one of her best. Some of the tunes (such as "A Taste of Honey," "What Kind of Fool Am I" and "The Good Life") do not look all that promising but Sassy was near the peak of her powers during this era. Plus her renditions of "I Guess I'll Hang My Tears out to Dry," "Sermonette," "Gravy Waltz," "Moanin'," "'Round Midnight" and "Midnight Sun" are classics. Assisted by a sextet arranged by Gerald Wilson and including organist Ernie Freeman, trumpeter Carmell Jones and the tenor of Teddy Edwards, Vaughan is brilliant throughout this highly enjoyable CD reissue. ~ Scott Yanow, All Music Guide
'Jazz Fest Masters'
What The Critics Say
Sarah Vaughan made no studio recordings between Jan. 1967 and Nov. 1971, which makes her live performance from 1969 (first released on this 1992 CD) of historic interest. More importantly, the singer is in excellent form during these three different settings from the 1969 New Orleans Jazz Festival. She performs nine numbers with a quintet that includes flugelhornist Clark Terry (who scats along with her on "Sometimes I'm Happy"); the tenor of Zoot Sims and pianist Jaki Byard are accompanied by the University of Illinois Big Band on three Benny Carter arrangements and (during the most unusual track) collaborate with a Dixieland group and a gospel choir on "A Closer Walk With Thee." Overall, the recording quality is decent, and these lively performances add to the recorded legacy of the remarkable singer. ~ Scott Yanow, All Music Guide
'Sarah Slightly Classical'
What The Critics Say
It has often been said that Sarah Vaughan had the voice to be an opera singer. This Roulette LP finds her coming as close as she ever did to performing in a classical vein. Accompanied by a large unidentified orchestra, Vaughan cuts loose on numbers such as "Be My Love," "Intermezzo," "Full Moon and Empty Arms" and "Ah Sweet Mystery of Life." Listeners who enjoy hearing her scat and swing are advised to look elsewhere but others who like when Sassy goes a bit over the top and really stretches her voice will find this unusual effort quite enthralling. ~ Scott Yanow, All Music Guide
'How Long Has This Been Going On?'
What The Critics Say
This CD reissue features the great Sarah Vaughan in a typically spontaneous Norman Granz Pablo production with pianist Oscar Peterson, guitarist Joe Pass, bassist Ray Brown, and drummer Louie Bellson. Sassy sounds wonderful stretching out on such songs as "Midnight Sun," "More Than You Know," "Teach Me Tonight," and "Body and Soul," among others. All ten of the melodies are veteran standards that she knew backwards but still greeted with enthusiasm. A very good example of late-period Sarah Vaughan. ~ Scott Yanow, All Music Guide
