1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die - #18. Sarah Vaughan - At Mister Kelly's (1958)

Sarah Vaughan - At Mister Kelly's (1958)

Track Listing

1. September In The Rain
2. Willow Weep For Me
3. Just One Of Those Things
4. Be Anything But Darling Be Mine
5. Thou Swell
6. Stairway To The Stars
7. Honeysuckle Rose
8. Just A Gigolo
9. How High The Moon
10. Dream
11. I'm Gonna Sit Right Down And Write Myself A Letter
12. It's Got To Be Love
13. Alone
14. If This Isn't Love
15. Embraceable You
16. Lucky In Love
17. Dancing In The Dark
18. Poor Butterfly
19. Sometimes I'm Happy
20. I Cover The Waterfront

Now this was a nice listen. This is what I had anticipated and had hoped for several albums ago with the Billie Holiday record. Smooth vocals, great arrangements and just a delight to listen to.
During the '50s, Sarah Vaughan spent most of her time recording songbook standards backed by large orchestras in huge arrangements, but on this night captured live at Mr Kelly’s in the heart of Chicago’s rush street café disctrict, she is backed by just a simple trio, and the recording finds her relaxed, and stretching out her vocals on a varied set list of late-night torch songs and ballads. The recording is great. The record I actually listened to was a 2001 re-release of the complete concert, and in this case, that is a good thing. It shows her playful side, messing up lyrics (even though the MC had told the audience prior to her taking the stage that Sarah would be using lyric sheets that night), not taking herself so serious, and having a great time performing. Her mood is infectious and even during the sad songs she sounds happy to be singing. Just a fine release and HIGHLY recommended.

ABSOLUTE ROCK BIRTHDAYS FOR ROCKTOBER 17:
Sergio Andrade from Lifehouse is 31;