Sarah Vaughan Sarah For Lovers CD

Recorded between 1954 & 1967. Includes liner notes by Al Young.

Sarah for Lovers is a 16-track compilation of tracks recorded from 1954 to 1967 for Verve and EmArcy that focuses on the romantic side of Sarah Vaughan. Most of the songs feature orchestral backing, though a handful have small-group backing, most notably the two tracks from 1954's Swingin' Easy: "Words Can't Describe" and her dreamy take on "Polka Dots and Moonbeams." The orchestral tracks can be a little sappy, especially when Vaughan is backed by Hal Mooney's Orchestra, as she is on "I've Got a Crush on You," "Happiness Is Just a Thing Called Joe," and "My Romance," or when she is backed by Hugo Peretti's Orchestra on "It's Magic" and "I'm in the Mood for Love." Songs she did with Quincy Jones' Orchestra are more successful; even though the three songs here feature strings, they still swing a little. The small-group tracks are where Vaughan really shines. Apart from the tracks from Swingin' Easy, there is a quartet track, "Embraceable You," from 1954's Sarah Vaughan; another track from that album, "I'm Glad There Is You," that features a larger group including Clifford Brown and is arranged by the always innovative Ernie Wilkins; a mellow take on "Corcovado" from 1964's Viva! Vaughan; and a sweet take on Henry Mancini's "Dreamsville" from 1964's underrated Sarah Vaughan Sings the Mancini Song Book that does feature strings but in a fairly unobtrusive manner. ~ Tim Sendra

Sarah for Lovers is a 16-track compilation of tracks recorded from 1954 to 1967 for Verve and EmArcy that focuses on the romantic side of Sarah Vaughan. Most of the songs feature orchestral backing, though a handful have small-group backing, most notably the two tracks from 1954's Swingin' Easy: "Words Can't Describe" and her dreamy take on "Polka Dots and Moonbeams" with some hilarious drums by Roy Haynes. The orchestral tra

All tracks have been digitally remastered.

Live Recording

Compilation producer: Bryan Koniarz.

Personnel: Sarah Vaughan (vocals); Pierre Cullaz, Barry Galbraith (guitar); Herbie Mann, Jerome Richardson (flute); Phil Woods, Benny Golson (reeds); Jo Hrasko, Marcel Hrasko, William Boucaya, Zoot Sims (saxophone); Bud Shank (alto saxophone); Paul Quinichette (tenor saxophone); Clark Terry, Freddie Hubbard, Joe Newman , Charlie Shavers (trumpet); J.J. Johnson , Jimmy Cleveland, Kai Winding, Wayne Andre, Billy Byers, Paul Faulise (trombone); Dick Hixson (bass trombone); Jimmy Jones , Maurice Vander, Ronnell Bright, Bob James, John Malachi (piano); Michael A. Hauser (vibraphone); Kansas Fields, Kenny Clarke, Roy Haynes, Bobby Donaldson (drums); Juan Cadavieco, Raphael Sierra, Jose Mangual (percussion).

Liner Note Author: Al Young.

Recording information: A&R Studios, New York, NY (02/10/1954-01/22/1967); Barclay Studio, Paris, France (02/10/1954-01/22/1967); Capitol Studios, Hollywood, CA (02/10/1954-01/22/1967); Fine Sound, New York, NY (02/10/1954-01/22/1967); Los Angeles, CA (02/10/1954-01/22/1967); New York, NY (02/10/1954-01/22/1967).

Editor: Peter Keepnews.

Illustrator: Amélie Hazard.

Photographers: Jan Persson; Herman Leonard.

Arrangers: Ernie Wilkins; Frank Foster; Hal Mooney; Quincy Jones; Billy Byers.

Personnel: Sarah Vaughn (vocals); Hal Mooney, Quincy Jones, Richard Hyman, Ernie Wilkins, Frank Foster (arranger, conductor); Bud Shank (alto saxophone); Paul Quinichette (tenor saxophone); Freddie Hubbard, Joe Newman, Charlie Shavers, Clark Terry (trumpet); J.J. Johnson, Kai Winding, Wayne Andre, Billy Byers, Jimmy Cleveland, Paul Faulise, Richard Hixson (trombone); Jerome Richardson, Herbie Mann (flute); Benny Golson, Phil Woods (reeds); Michael Hausser (vibraphone); John Malachi, Bob James, Jimmy Jones, Ronnell Bright, Maurice Vander (piano); Pierre Cullaz, Barry Galbraith (guitar); Richard Davis, Joe Benjamin, Robert Rodriguez, Pierre Michelot (bass); Roy Haynes, Kenny Clarke, Kansas Fields (drums); Raphael Sierra (percussion).

Producers: Quincy Jones, Hal M