Hmm... this is weird...

Stormcrow · July-10th-2003, 09:40 PM

Hmm...

For a long time I have thought Sarah Vaughan's work, despite her obvious talent, too dramatic and acrobatic for my taste. I have preferred the simple elegance of Ella Fitzgerald.

But suddenly...

On a whim I checked out "Swingin' Easy" and her Ken Burns Jazz collection. Now cannot get enough. I have been playing "Swingin' Easy" almost constantly, and with a few exceptions (Ella's version of "Misty" is better ;-)), I have really enjoyed the Ken Burns disc. I listened to "Send in the Clowns" five times in a row. Absolutely stunning.

It seems I was missing something and that I now have got it. Oh well. ;-) Guess it goes to show that tastes can change... :P

Bill Barton · July-10th-2003, 10:29 PM

Now would be a good time to check out "Wave" from Live in Japan.

BFrank · July-11th-2003, 02:06 AM

Check out "Autumn Leaves" on the "Crazy & Mixed Up" album. A-Mazing!

Also think about picking up "How Long Has This Been Going On?".

Tom Storer · July-11th-2003, 06:20 AM

There is plenty of stunning Sarah Vaughan, but I still prefer Ella. Luckily I don't have to choose.

Underhound · July-11th-2003, 07:18 AM

Quote:

For a long time I have thought Sarah Vaughan's work, despite her obvious talent, too dramatic and acrobatic for my taste. I have preferred the simple elegance of Ella Fitzgerald.

I'm glad to hear someone else say this. At times she sounded as if she were trying too hard to be stylish. At her best she could relax and let it flow.
Either way, an undeniable talent fer sure.

Stormcrow · July-11th-2003, 08:34 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Underhound
I'm glad to hear someone else say this. At times she sounded as if she were trying too hard to be stylish. At her best she could relax and let it flow.
Either way, an undeniable talent fer sure.

I think that's what put me off about her for so long. Whereas sometimes Sarah sounded like she was trying too hard to impress her listeners, the music always just seemed to flow out of Ella, pure and uninhibited. ;-) And, Ella could outswing Sarah any day of the week. :-P

I have heard Autumn Leaves, it is amazing!! :-D

Canuck Don · July-11th-2003, 08:54 AM

Ella is my #1 female jazz singer but I also like Miss Vaughan.Have some in my collection but the best one I have is a box set called, The Complete Sarah Vaughan on Mercury the 1963 - 67 ,years. About 80 plus songs.

Dibble · July-11th-2003, 09:04 AM

I love Sarahs versions of You Go To My Head and Black Coffee..sassy in the extreme..wonderful

Debbie

jazzy mary · July-11th-2003, 10:23 AM

Her cd w/ Brownie and "How Long Has this Been Going On" are 2 essentials. I know what you mean, Theo.

HLAW · July-11th-2003, 11:45 AM

Any comment about Ella out swinigng Sarah falls short to these ears until those making that statement dig "Sassy Swings The Tivoli"Peace and all that.

Stormcrow · July-11th-2003, 07:41 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by HLAW
Any comment about Ella out swinigng Sarah falls short to these ears until those making that statement dig "Sassy Swings The Tivoli"Peace and all that.

Hmm... don;t know about that. Sassy could definetely swing up a storm, but Ella was Lady Time.

Stormcrow · July-12th-2003, 08:53 AM

In fact, I recall an incident from Sarah Vaughan's biography about that.

Sarah was supposed to sing the finale of some big jazz festival (I have forgotten where... somewhere in Europe I think, tho that's not much help ;-)) with Ella. Beforehand, her manager told her to get Ella into a ballad because if they did a swinger Ella would make mincemeat out of her.

Well, as soon as they got up on stage Ella's trio started a blazingly swinging "How High the Moon." A little into it, Sassy had had enough, and sang out, "Ella, baby, I'm done."

In return, Ella sang out "Sassy, baby, I'm just starting."

Ella made mincemeat out of her.