SARAH VAUGHAN - The Complete Songbooks (1957-2007) 9CD / APE / FLAC / lossless

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 • George Gershwin Songbook 1 (1957-1990)

With the exception of three songs recorded earlier, this set dates from 1957 and finds the great Sarah Vaughan accompanied by her regular pianist Jimmy Jones plus a studio orchestra arranged by Hal Mooney. Since these 15 selections are fairly concise (two to five minutes apiece), the emphasis is on the melody and the original lyrics without all that much improvising taking place. Vaughan, who had a wondrous voice, is in excellent form on the superior material. by Scott Yanow

Tracklist:

1 Embraceable You 4:50
2 Aren't You Kinda Glad We Did 3:29
3 They All Laughed 2:25
4 Looking For A Boy 3:41
5 He Loves And She Loves 3:26
6 My Man's Gone Now 4:22
7 I Won't Say I Will 3:24
8 A Foggy Day 3:49
9 Let's Call The Whole Thing Off 2:25
10 Things Are Looking Up 3:35
11 Do It Again 3:15
12 Love Walked In 3:08
13 They Can't Take That Away From Me 2:41
Bass – Joe Benjamin
Drums – Roy Haynes
Piano – John Malachi
14 'S Wonderful 2:30
Accompanied By – The Hugo Peretti Orchestra
15 Soon 2:36
Accompanied By – The Ernie Wilkins Orchestra
Credits:
Arranged By, Conductor – Hal Mooney (tracks: 1 to 12)
Music By, Lyrics By – A. Francis (tracks: 7), B. DeSylva (tracks: 7, 11), D. B. Heyward (tracks: 6), G. & I. Gershwin (tracks: 1 to 5, 8 to 10, 12 to 15), G. Gershwin (tracks: 6, 7, 11)
Piano – Jimmy Jones (tracks: 1 to 12)
Vocals – Sarah Vaughan
FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

 • George Gershwin Songbook 2 (1957-1990)

As with the first volume of this two-CD series, the majority of the selections date from 1957 and feature Sarah Vaughan (backed by an anonymous studio orchestra with pianist Jimmy Jones arranged by Hal Mooney) doing straightforward and concise versions of George Gershwin classics. Vaughan, who is also heard on two other orchestral records (1955's "Maybe" and 1964's "Fascinatin' Rhythm") plus a rendition of "Embraceable You" with the Jimmy Jones Trio, is in typically expressive form. Highlights include "But Not For Me," "Someone To Watch Over Me," "The Man I Love," "I've Got A Crush On You" and "How Long Has This Been Going On."  by Scott Yanow
Tracklist:
1 But Not For Me 3:26
2 Isn't It A Pity 3:54
3 Of Thee I Sing 3:11
4 I'll Build A Stairway To Paradise 2:41
Written-By – A. Francis, B. DeSylva, G. Gershwin
5 Someone To Watch Over Me 4:00
6 Bidin' My Time 3:01
7 The Man I Love 3:37
8 How Long Has This Been Going On 4:00
9 My One And Only 3:15
10 Lorelei 2:33
11 I've Got A Crush On You 4:04
12 Summer Time 2:52
Written-By – D.B. Heyward, G. Gershwin
13 Fascinatin' Rhythm 2:36
Flute – Jerome Richardson
Percussion – Bobby Donaldson, Robert Rodriguez*, Jose Mangual, Juan Cadavieco, Rafael Sierra, William Correa
Piano – Bob James
Recorded By – Quincy Jones
Trombone – Benny Powell, Bill Byers, Kai Winding, Richard Hixon, Wayne Andre
Violin – Bernard Eichen, Charles Libove, David Nadien, Emanuel Green, Harry Lookovsky, Leo Kruczek, Louis Eley, Tosha Samaroff
14 Maybe 2:32
Orchestra – Ernie Wilkins Orchestra
15 Embraceable You 2:45
Bass – Richard Davis
Drums – Roy Haynes
Credits:
Arranged By [Studio Orchestra], Conductor [Studio Orchestra] – Hal Mooney (tracks: 1 to 12)
Piano – Jimmy Jones (tracks: 1 to 12, 15)
Written-By – G. & I. Gershwin (tracks: 1 to 3, 5 to 11, 13 to 15)
FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

 • The Irving Berlin Songbook (1957-1984)

Sarah Vaughan's heavenly vocalizing and Billy Eckstine's velvety deep tone proved an ideal match during the late '40s and throughout the '50s. This 1957 Irving Berlin collection qualifies as the high point of that collaboration. Sometimes surpassing their splendid solo sides, Vaughan and Eckstine obviously revel in each other's company here, seamlessly blending their voices on most every track. Draped in Hal Mooney's fine and unobtrusive charts, the singers particularly shine on such well-tread Berlin fare as "I've Got My Love to Keep Me Warm" and "Cheek to Cheek"; there are equally splendid readings of the rarely covered "Easter Parade" and "Now It Can Be Told" as well. A highlight from the land of vintage vocal jazz.  by Stephen Cook
Tracklist:
1 Alexander's Ragtime Band 4:05
2 Isn't This A Lovely Day 3:55
3 I've Got My Love To Keep Me Warm 4:16
4 All Of My Life 3:18
5 Cheek To Cheek 2:48
6 You're Just In Love 3:45
7 Remember 2:21
8 Always 2:40
9 Easter Parade 3:17
10 The Girl That I Marry 3:02
11 Now It Can Be Told 3:44
Credits:
Composed By – Irving Berlin
Conductor, Arranged By – Hal Mooney
Orchestra – Hal Mooney And His Orchestra
Vocals – Billy Eckstine, Sarah Vaughan
FLAC (tracks), lossless

 • Sings The Mancini Songbook (1965-1998)

Tracklist:
1 How Soon? 2:41
Lyrics By – Al Stillman
2 Days Of Wine And Roses 2:38
Lyrics By – John Herndon "Johnny" Mercer
3 Dear Heart 2:53
Lyrics By – Jay Livingston, Ray Evans
4 Charade 2:50
Lyrics By – Johnny Mercer
5 Too Little Time 3:47
Lyrics By – Don Raye
6 Dreamsville 3:49
Lyrics By – Jay Livingston, Ray Evans
7 Peter Gunn 1:51
Lyrics By – Jay Livingston, Ray Evans
8 Moon River 2:49
Lyrics By – Johnny Mercer
9 (I Love You) And Don't You Forget It 2:30
Lyrics By – Al Stillman
10 Slow Hot Wind 3:36
Lyrics By – Norman Gimbel
11 Mr. Lucky 2:27
Lyrics By – Jay Livingston, Ray Evans
12 It Had Better Be Tonight 1:44
Lyrics By – Johnny Mercer
Credits:
Arranged By, Conductor [Collectively] – Bill Holman, Billy Byers, Bob James, Frank Foster, Robert Fornon
Composed By – Henry Mancini
Producer – Quincy Jones
Vocals – Sarah Vaughan
APE (image+.cue), lossless

 • Duke Ellington Songbook 1 (1979 RM-1987)

Sarah Vaughan interprets ten Duke Ellington-associated songs on the first of two sets; Songbook, Vol. 2 was recorded at the same two sessions as this LP. Vaughan is accompanied by a variety of jazz all-stars, including trumpeter Waymon Reed, trombonist J.J. Johnson, and the tenors of Frank Foster, Frank Wess, and Zoot Sims. Bill Byers contributed the arrangements for the larger band performances. The emphasis is on ballads, with the highlights including "I'm Just a Lucky So and So," "I Didn't Know About You," "All Too Soon," and "Lush Life." Vaughan's voice is in typically wondrous form throughout. by Scott Yanow
Tracklist:
1 In A Sentimental Mood
2 I'm Just A Lucky So And So
3 Solitude
4 I Let A Song Go Out Of My Heart
5 I Didn't Know About You
6 All Too Soon
7 Lush Life
8 In A Mellow Tone
9 Sophisticated Lady
10 Day Dream
Credits:
Bass – Andrew Simpkins
Drums – Grady Tate
Guitar – Joe Pass
Piano – Jimmy Rowles
Saxophone, Flute – Frank Wess
Tenor Saxophone – Zoot Sims
Trombone – J.J. Johnson
Trumpet, Flugelhorn – Waymon Reed
FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

 • Duke Ellington Songbook 2 (RM-1980)

The second of two Pablo CDs featuring Sarah Vaughan interpreting Duke Ellington-associated material shows that the veteran singer never did decline. With assistance from trumpeter Waymon Reed, flutist Frank Wess, Eddie "Cleanhead" Vinson on alto and a surprise vocal, and several overlapping rhythm sections, Sassy sounds in top form throughout this date. Highlights include "I Ain't Got Nothing but the Blues," "Chelsea Bridge," "Rocks in My Bed," "I Got It Bad" and "Mood Indigo" but all 11 numbers are well worth hearing. Both of these well-conceived sets are easily recommended. by Scott Yanow
Tracklist:
1 I Ain't Got Nothin But The Blues
2 Black Butterfly
3 Chelsea Bridge
4 What Am I Here For
5 Tonight I Shall Sleep
6 Rocks In My Bed
7 i Got It Bad And That Ain't Good
8 Everything But You
9 Mood Indigo
10 It Don't Mean A Thing (If It Ain't Got That Swing)
11 Prelude To A Kiss
Credits:
Bass – Andy Simpkins
Drums – Grady Tate
Guitar – Bucky Pizzarelli (tracks: 2, 5, 7, 10), Joe Pass
Piano – Mike Wofford
Soloist, Alto Saxophone, Vocals – Eddie "Cleanhead" Vinson
Soloist, Flute – Frank Wess
Soloist, Trumpet, Flugelhorn – Waymon Reed
Written-By – Duke Ellington
FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

 • The Rodgers & Heart Songbook (1958-1985)

Notice that this is yet another album with much higher user ratings than the AllMusic rating. I appreciate that the AllMusic reviewers have high standards, but 3 stars seems out of place here.
Many critics seem to treat the material from this orchestral songbook phase as less interesting Sarah Vaughan - perhaps because there is a lot of it, and jazz critics has a tendency to discount anything that has been done already, or forms a pattern in an artists recordings. That's a big mistake though. This songbook material from this phase (Rodgers and Hart, Ellington, Gershwin, etc.) is just an iconic set of recordings, something that, to me, defines jazz. This is classic jazz, something everyone should hear. Highly recommended... by Guy Cutting
Tracklist:
1 My Funny Valentine 2:56
Arranged By, Conductor – Richard Hayman
2 Little Girl Blue 3:51
Arranged By, Conductor – Hal Mooney
3 A Tree In The Park 2:40
Arranged By, Conductor – Hal Mooney
4 It's Got To Be Love 2:24
Arranged By, Conductor – Hal Mooney
5 A Ship Without A Sail 3:22
Arranged By, Conductor – Hal Mooney
6 Bewitched 3:29
Arranged By, Conductor – Hal Mooney
7 Thou Swell 2:47
Bass – Richard Davis 
Drums – Roy Haynes
Piano – Ronnell Bright
8 It Never Entered My Mind 4:08
Arranged By, Conductor – Hal Mooney
9 It's Easy To Remember 2:43
Arranged By, Conductor – Don Costa
10 Why Can't I 2:53
Alto Saxophone – Julian "Cannonball" Adderley, Sam Marowitz
Arranged By, Conductor – Ernie Wilkins
Bass – Joe Benjamin
Drums – Roy Haynes
Guitar – Turk Van Lake
Piano – Jimmy Jones 
Reeds – Jerome Richardson
Trombone – J.J. Johnson, Kai Winding
Trumpet – Bernie Glow, Ernie Royal
11 My Romance 3:11
Arranged By, Conductor – Hal Mooney
12 My Heart Stood Still 3:09
Arranged By, Conductor – Hal Mooney
Credits:
Vocals – Sarah Vaughan
Written-By – Richard Rodgers And Lorenz Hart

FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

 • The Great American Songbook (2007) 2CD

Tracklist 1:
1 They Can't Take That Away From Me 2:42
Written-By – G. & I. Gershwin
2 Body And Soul 3:12
Written-By – Heyman, Green, Sour
3 Polka Dots And Moonbeams 2:34
Written-By – Van Heusen, Burke
4 If I Knew Then (What I Know Now) 2:32
Written-By – Jurgens, Howard
5 Lover Man 3:17
Written-By – Davis, Sherman, Ramirez
6 I Cried For You 1:41
Written-By – Lyman, Freed, Arnheim
7 Prelude To A Kiss 2:46
Written-By – Ellington, Gordon, Mills
8 Deep Purple 3:09
Written-By – Parish, DeRose
9 Perdido 2:30
Written-By – Drake, Lenk, Tizol
10 Summertime 3:17
Written-By – DuBose Heyward, G. & I. Gershwin
11 Just Friends 3:02
Written-By – Klenner, Lewis
12 Thinking Of You 3:02
Written-By – Kalmar, Ruby
13 Ain't Misbehavin' 3:01
Written-By – Razaf, Waller, Brooks
14 Goodnight My Love 3:30
Written-By – Revel, Gordon
15 Can't Get Out Of This Mood 2:52
Written-By – Loesser, McHugh
16 I'll Know 3:18
Written-By – Loesser
17 Street Of Dreams 3:03
Written-By – Lewis, Young
18 I'm Gonna Sit Right Down And Write Myself A Letter 2:24
Written-By – Ahlert, Turk
19 Once In A While 3:06
Written-By – Green, Edwards
20 Trouble Is A Man 2:35
Written-By – Wilder
21 Everything I Have Is Yours 3:31
Written-By – Lane, Adamson
22 I Get A Kick Out Of You 3:06
Written-By – Porter
23 A Hundred Years From Today 2:57
Written-By – Washington, Young
24 It's Magic 3:14
Written-By – Styne, Cahn
25 It's You Or No One 3:14
Written-By – Styne, Cahn
Tracklist 2:
1 Give Me A Songs With A Beautiful Melody 2:43
Written-By – Styne, Cahn
2 Nice Work If You Can Get It 2:35
Written-By – G. & I. Gershwin
3 My Funny Valentine 3:02
Written-By – Hart, Rodgers
4 Come Rain Or Come Shine 3:25
Written-By – Arlen, Mercer
5 It's Easy To Remember 2:44
Written-By – Hart, Rodgers
6 Whatever Lola Wants 2:38
Written-By – Ross, Adler
7 Mr. Wonderful 2:49
Written-By – Weiss, Bock, Holofcener
8 Embraceable You 4:49
Written-By – G. & I. Gershwin
9 You Hit The Spot 3:02
Written-By – Revel, Gordon
10 April In Paris 6:21
Written-By – Harburg, Duke
11 It Might As Well Be Spring 3:15
Written-By – Hammerstein II, Rodgers
12 The Nearness Of You 3:21
Written-By – Carmichael, Washington
13 Spring Will Be A Little Late This Year 2:42
Written-By – Loesser
14 Come Along With Me 2:12
Written-By – Sample, Gimbell
15 East Of The Sun 3:10
Written-By – Bowman
16 My One And Only Love 2:50
Written-By – Wood, Mellin
17 September Song 5:45
Written-By – Weill, Anderson
18 He's My Guy 4:13
Written-By – Raye, DePaul
19 Black Coffee 3:18
Written-By – Webster, Burke
20 Tenderly 3:10
Written-By – Lawrence, Gross
21 Honey 2:21
Written-By – Gillespie, Whiting, Simons
22 Linger Awhile
Written-By – Owens, Rose
FLAC (image+.cue), lossless