Although there are no sources given for any of the material included on Divine Lady of Song (2004), one thing is for certain, vocalist
Sarah Vaughan is in fine form on these live recordings, presumably taken from various radio broadcasts during the late '40s and '50s. Her unmistakably supple style rivalled the likes of
Ella Fitzgerald and she was compared to
Billie Holiday for her gritty no-nonsense and often exposed soulful qualities. The disc commences with an in-studio session featuring
Ray Bloch and his
Orchestra on the first of two high-energy and jumping renditions of
Cole Porter's "Just One Of Those Things." She is again heard introducing the combo on the contrasting pair of scintillating ballads and timeless pop standards "Misty" and "Careless." Equally lovely is the yearning "While You Are Gone," coupling
Vaughan this time with a full ensemble led by
Harry Sosnick. The remainder of the anthology returns the artist to the confines of a trio, where her interaction is decidedly intimate, allowing for more of her distinctive
scat singing and
improvisation. "But Not for Me," "What Is This Thing Called Love," "All of Me" and especially the nearly seven-minute outing "Sometimes I'm Happy" exemplify the energetic spontaneity that was at the essence of
Vaughan's well-deserved moniker as the Divine Lady of Song. Despite the contents being derived from a variety of origins, the fidelity is uniformly excellent throughout, creating a worthwhile addition for collectors and curious enthusiasts alike. ~ Lindsay Planer, All Music Guide
