This CD is amazing. These live recordings feature Vaughan and Quincy Jones conducting the orchestra, as well as moving liner notes on Vaughan by Jones. Vauguan's voice is rich and resonating, deep and lyrical. She could have been a classical singer with that sort of voice; but I personally find the delivery of these standards (especially "The Days of Wine and Roses" and "My Coloring Book") moving and well-crafted by a singer who knew how to stir emotion with her voice. This was my introduction to the music of Sarah Vaughan, and I can't stop listening to it!

Hastily, after purchasing this album I silenced the room. Iimmediately was struck my the operetic nature of Ms. Vaughan's voiceas it flowed so effortlessly over and through octaves. "Please Be Kind" is angelic, as is "Live for Love," [dare I say] the ubiquitous "Misty," and "Blue Orchids." "I'll Close My Eyes" is one of my favorite intimate ballads on the disc, offering sentimental value, while "That's All" lends whimsy to the album. It is impossible to deny Ms. Vaughan compliments for her melodic contours, colorful and dreamy, even. The first half of the disc, to me, is the better for its lack of the unflattering background singers.

Here, her voice is maturer than her introductory "Body and Soul" or "Time After Time" while not yet reaching the vibratoed lows of her latter career. Certain a winner for those who prefer either side of Sass. Buy it and fall in love all over again with a true vocalist.

...the artistry and beauty of Sarah's singing on this CD. Strong orchestral arrangements by Quincy Jones provide the perfect support for Vaughan's amazing voice and interpretive genius. This is an old-fashioned recording, made half a century ago. We don't hear this type of arranging anymore, including the mixed chorus that sings background, so you have to accept it on its own terms.

This is a ballad collection, and Sarah's interpretation of these songs provides a deeply emotional and satisfying experience for the listener. The choice of material includes many standards that deserve a wider hearing but haven't been recorded that often. If there are versions of "How Beautiful Is Night" or "Then I'll Be Tired of You" that can compare with what she does here, I'd love to hear them.

Although this isn't a jazz album, Sarah is known as a great jazz singer, and there's a reason for that. When she strays from the melody as written, she knows just which notes to choose to enhance the lyrics. Most "jazz singers" are jazzy, but not real improvisers. Sarah, on the other hand, understood the harmonic underpinning of the songs she sang, and always brought something special and new to even those songs you've heard a hundred times.

Did I mention Sarah's extraordinary vocal range, her impeccable pitch, her warmth, her intelligence...well, it's all here in this lovely recording. If you want to hear how it used to be done, and still ought to be, there's no better example than this luscious recording by The Divine One.