Sarah Vaughan - Sarah for Lovers

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, All Music Guide

Name Credits Al Young Liner Notes Allan Tucker Mastering Amélie Hazard Illustrations Barry Galbraith Guitar Benny Golson Reeds Billy Byers Trombone, Arranger Bob James Piano Bob Shad Producer Bobby Donaldson Drums Bryan Koniarz Supervisor Bud Shank Sax (Alto) Charlie Shavers Trumpet Clark Terry Trumpet Dick Hixson Trombone (Bass) Ernie Wilkins Arranger, Conductor Frank Foster Conductor, Arranger Freddie Hubbard Trumpet Hal Mooney Producer, Arranger, Conductor Hal Mooney Orchestra Performer Herbie Mann Flute Herman Leonard Photography Hollis King Art Direction Hugo Peretti Conductor Hugo Perretti & His Orchestra Performer J.J. Johnson Trombone Jan Persson Photography Jerome Richardson Flute Jimmy Cleveland Trombone Jimmy Jones Piano Jo Hrasko Saxophone Joe Benjamin Bass Joe Newman Trumpet John Malachi Piano Jose Mangual Percussion Juan Cadavieco Percussion Kai Winding Trombone Kansas Fields Drums Ken Druker Compilation Kenny Clarke Drums Marcel Hrasko Saxophone Mark Smith Production Assistant Maurice Vander Piano Michael A. Hauser Vibraphone Paul Faulise Trombone Paul Quinichette Sax (Tenor) Peter Keepnews Editing Phil Woods Reeds Pierre Cullaz Guitar Pierre Michelot Bass Quincy Jones Arranger, Producer, Conductor Quincy Jones & His Orchestra Performer Raphael Sierra Percussion Richard Davis Bass Richard Hayman Conductor Richard Hayman & His Orchestra Performer Robert Rodriguez Bass Ronnell Bright Piano Roy Haynes Drums Sarah Vaughan Vocals Sherniece Smith Art Direction, Art Producer Wayne Andre Trombone William Boucaya Saxophone Zoot Sims Saxophone