Search - Sarah Vaughan :: Linger Awhile: Live at Newport

Subtitled Live at Newport and More, Linger Awhile balances eight previously unreleased tracks from Vaughan's performance at the legendary 1957 Newport Jazz Festival with eight alternate takes from her late '70s and early '80s albums for the Pablo label. Vaughan was at the peak of her popular success during the earlier recordings. Backed by the trio of pianist Jimmy Jones, bassist Richard Davis, and drummer Roy Haynes, she bounces as ebulliently as Ella Fitzgerald through the second verse of "All of Me" and echoes Billie Holiday's phrasing on "Black Coffee." The contrast between the youthful Sassy and the mature diva heard over 20 years later is startling. Vaughan's voice has deepened to an almost androgynous baritone, and each song holds an earthy majesty and effortless virtuosity. Vaughan is joined by a variety of all-star rhythm sections, not to mention the Count Basie Orchestra on two tracks. You may want to linger awhile with the early recordings, but her true greatness is evident in the later tracks. --Rick Mitchell