Sarah Vaughan is heard in a series of ballads that are often heard in a jazz setting, but the somewhat heavy-handed arrangements by
Hal Mooney,
Bob James (long before smooth jazz existed as a genre), and Bob Freedman lean more toward easy listening, with frequently stiff rhythm accompaniment and often overbearing strings. The singer's lovely voice, which is in great form, is full of the adventurous spirit, as is the sole improviser on the date, stretching the boundaries of ten strong compositions, including oldies like "Danny Boy" and "I'm Just Wild About Harry," to pop songs of the day such as the huge hit "Alfie." There are also several gems by songwriters who were still active at the time, including
Alec Wilder's "Trouble Is a Man," as well as a trio of timeless standards by
Harold Arlen. The sound on this 24-bit limited-edition CD reissue, which is available only until May 2005, is impeccable, with a perfect mix between the singer and the orchestra, so anyone who enjoys
Sarah Vaughan's vocals should pick up this CD. ~ Ken Dryden