@@Johnnycdrums I love Dinah. She was undoubtedly a more convincing blues performer but in terms of vocal technique, range and improvisational ability Sarah has it easily!
When I was a kid, we had her Mister Kelly's album (it's on RU-vid) in the old RCA sterio console. Her singing always evokes memories of that single red light on the sterio in a dark livingroom on an early evening in late fall or, perhaps, the winter, in Chicago. I think of pipes and martinis, the smell of a roast cooking. Her voice is velvety and wam, yet there is an inescapable wintry quality to the arrangements - a sweet sadness in every song she sings. Her's is not a springtime voice or a summertime voice. It is not a voice to be enjoyed in the bright light of day. This is an evening voice, a warm fur coat on a chilly evening when the last of the leaves have fallen and a light snow begins.
My dad was a business manager for people with more money than time and Sarah was a client of his for the last 25 years of her life. He tried to tell me about her but, being in my teens a twenties and a product of the '60s, it went in one ear and out the other. Now, as an amateur musician, I'm kicking myself for missing so many chances to get to know her. I am living proof that youth is wasted on the young. I do remember his telling me that she had perfect pitch.
She was just stunning, wasn't she? Rightfully regarded as among the small handful of the most important vocal influences of the century along with Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday, and Louie Armstrong and perched atop the Mount Rushmore of influential jazz vocalists. Thanks for this, Fil.
Was my moms' favorate vocalist so I listened to her quite a bit. The way she glides through a complex interpretation of a song will make you weak in the knees. Her range is stunning. Thanks for a great analysis of a great and unique singer. Loved it!
Just this past year I "discovered" Sarah after years of simply knowing she was a renowned singer, having heard "Misty" a few times and that's it. Now she is my favorite singer of all time. I could lament that I missed out on enjoying her voice all those years, but instead I rejoice there is still so much more of her music for me to still hear.
Yeah, I'm glad you discovered her. My sax teacher once said to me, "I can teach you everything you need to be a great sax player in 30 seconds." "What?" "Listen to Sarah Vaughan to learn what notes to play and listen to Stan Getz to learn how to play them. That's all you need to do." Hah! He was right, of course.
Sarah's vocals on "Lost in The Stars" is nothing short of magnificent. Kurt Weill composed that wondrous tune. Sarah Vaughan turned it into golden stardust. Many thanks, FIL.
What a timbre and voice control! She must have posessed absolute pitch to hit those notes with inhumane precision. Thanks for introducing Sarah Vaughan to me!
@@VideoNOLA BTW I think you know the definition of perfect pitch, but have absolutely no idea how it works and have not met anyone in person who posesses perfect pitch. Of course you don't know how it feels to have perfect pitch, neither do I, but they tried their best to explain it to me.
@@lashamartashvili You were correct the first time when you said "absolute pitch". "Perrfect pitch" is not the same thing. Sarah did not have to have absolute pitch to sing the way she did, but she probably had perfect relative pitch. Although, because she was also an excellent pianist, she may have had absolute pitch also.
So glad to see that her magnificence is being appreciated by the generations that were not as blessed as I was to hear her in person many times! She’s incomparable!
I have never seen a live performance of Sarah’s and I am astounded. We are watching a master musician with ultimate control of her instrument and exuding her confidence in her skills.
The Divine One.. Ms Sarah Vaughan. In her era there was she and Ella Fitzgerald, both sublime and distinctive vocalists. IMHO , Sarah was the more distinct vocalist as she possessed an edge to her voice. Sarah utilized and had a very distinct vibrato that is so missing with all the young singers today. I had the privilege of seeing her perform three times in her later years in Chicago. The last place I saw her was at the Vic theater on Sheffield and you could hear a pin drop during her performances. Her voice had lowered ... however she was still able to hit her sopranic notes and the escalation was more dramatic than in the past. Sarah Vaughan was an American treasure. An excellent choice and analysis by you Fil.
Sarah’s lower register is ridiculous. Could listen to her all day. I love how Sarah and Ella approached songs differently, really differently phrasing. Total mastery.
Your expressions are a dead giveaway and a joy to watch Fil. Sarah Vaughan style was captivating indeed. One by one your analysis videos are a great source to learn about the artists and bands from all genres and era. Keep Rockin' through the history of music Fil. 😊🤘
I’m sorry - was Fil in the picture while she sang? No disrespect to him at all - I just couldn’t do anything but watch her and occasionally look at the graph showing what note she was singing…
Sarah Vaughan, what a voice. Even with such God-given talent it takes a lot of work to sing with that kind of breath control.It kind of reminds me of Johnny Mathis when he was young. He would run through two measures easily without taking a breath.
Now you need to listen to a performance toward the end of her career, when her voice deepens but she still maintains the highs, and she bends the notes more, sometimes severely, worrying less about singing prettily . She was a true master. No one had or has her ease, agility, style, accuracy, and range. Her whole self was the instrument. Thank you for getting to this!
I never understood why Sarah Vaughan wasn't held in higher regard. She was obviously very popular, but when you compare her name with Ella Fitzgerald, Nina Simone, Billie Holiday, Etta James, etc. she was never as well respected. She was easily my favourite of those multi-genre vocalists of the time, her technique and breath control were just astonishing, especially when you actually see the performance. There are so many times when she looks like she has finished singing a note, but it's still going, it's like magic. Strangely, of her contempoarires, the one who seems to me to have the most similar vibrato is probably Doris Day, who I also love. My Dad always referred to Doris Day as his first girlfriend, although I'm fairly sure she was unaware of this.
I think that’s because, unlike those other great singers you mentioned, she never had one song associated with her. For the average casual fan, if you mention Billie Holiday people will immediately think of “Strange Fruit”. If you mention Etta James, people will think of “At Last”. If you mention Sarah Vaughan, people will name whatever Sarah Vaughan song the like the most. You might get “Lullaby of Birdland”, “Perdido” or even “Key Largo” if people come to her from commercials.
@@GeneralTarik Nonsense. She wasn't as popular because her singing is more difficult to access for most people. She literally sings from bass to coloratura soprano notes in one song, sometimes in one phrase. To some people Sarah kind of over egged the pudding - and her voice is too operatic for them to understand. Her facility is undeniable, but she dismantles the melodies and time signatures more than most other jazz singers. She was astoundingly gifted and sings with such ease. I don't think anyone but Leontyne Price could begin to sound a bit like Sarah Vaughan. Misty *IS* her signature song.
@@GeneralTarik loved lullaby of bird land, but I remember the first time I heard her singing was when she sang misty, I was absolutely blown away and hooked
I don’t know why you say she wasn’t as well known as those others you mentioned. She absolutely was. My house was full of her records when I grew up and I continued to listen to her for decades.
Sarah Vaughan is my favorite singer and IMHO, the greatest singer ever. She could sing everything from the most gut bucket of Blues, like on “No Count Sarah”, to Opera like her version of “My Man’s Gone Now”. She also was a piano player (she was the back up pianist for Earl “Fatha” Hines) so that played into her note selection. I’m a big Sassy fan so for me it’s Team Sarah all the way!
Love me or leave me And let me be lonely You won't believe me But I love you only Love Sarah Vaugan. Smooth as silk. Her voice glides over the lyrics. Unearthly. Just beautiful. She was the original Datin Doll.
Thank you Fil. The really extraordinary thing is Miss Vaughan simply got better and better with age. Earlier this year I obtained the two separate LPs recorded by Miss Vaughan at Ronnie Scott’s over two consecutive nights (Ronnie Scott’s Presents Sarah Vaughan Live 1977) in which she delivered phenomenal renditions including My Funny Valentine & If You Could See Me Now. Ronnie Scott introduces The Divine One on these recordings as his favourite singer of all time and I do so completely agree. I had these two LPs digitized and I will email a copy to you Fil in appreciation of your fantastic analysis of the legendary Sassy!
Fabulous! I found myself holding my breath! What a treasure! Thanks, Fil, for a heartfelt analysis. Sarah Vaughan’s perfect voice moved us all, I’m sure.
Sarah's vocals are so smooth in this song and reminded me a little bit of the way Billie Holiday sings. Great analysis and enjoy your appreciation for all types of music.
Sarah Vaughn was such a great jazz singer & her career covers over 6 decades starting in the 40's. She won so many awards for her music & performed with many of the greats.
I've always seen Sarah Vaughn ranked in the top 5 female jazz vocalists of all time. I'd go further and say that she is in the top 5 vocalists of all time, regardless of vocalists or gender.
oh my God this is my favorite...my dad introduced us to her and this show was her in her glory ...also look at me when she was in Europe can't remember if it was Denmark or Sweden but look for it ...she gives me chills!!!!
Sarah “Sassy” Vaughan had one of the most melodic voices ever recorded. Just about every modern singer, even today, adopts some of her phrasing. She was also a gifted pianist. Some of her piano performances are also available on RU-vid. (Sarah Vaughan in Concert Once in a While is a really great video where she accompanies herself on piano.) Sassy was one of my dad’s favoritas. Whenever I hear her, I think of him. What was remarkable that even though she had lung cancer, it did not significantly impact her breathing & vocal control. Her lower range became even deeper & more resonant. Thanks for the memories & the review❣️
Just wow! My father loved Sarah, along with Ella and Billie...grew up listening to this spectacular genre of brilliant artistry.. Thanks Fil for this awesome reaction and for helping make this beautiful music relevant...much love!
The purity of her voice is astonishing... As a jazz saxophonist, listening to these recordings are very instructive. Best is entirely subjective but any list of the best that doesn't include her is not a valid list ;-)
I saw her in the late 1970's in San Francisco at the Venetian Room in the Fairmont Hotel and was blown away by her incredible voice. She had the best voice I had ever heard. She was very elegant but also took her shoes off onstage and went barefoot.... just an amazing performer.
Wow! Sarah Vaughan is unlike any singer I have heard before! Such control, endurance and original style.…I can see why you got lost in hearing her sing through twice, Fil!
That kind of perspiration that was running down Sarah's face comes from the pure concentration of "being in the zone"! Love that from a great artist and performer.
Sarah Vaughan: one of the greatest of all times. No surprise how accurate her pitch is; amazing to see that consistent wave pattern to her incredible vibrato. Excellent choice!
Yes! Finally! My favorite vocalist of all time. IMHO she was untouchable. Magnificent voice, magnificent technique and inventive. Thank you so much for reacting to her. I've been waiting! Thanks Fil. BTW, I think Streisand is the only other singer that I know of that has that impressive breath control that Sarah had, which is why they could phrase differently than others had which made them stand out even more..
Hi Fil, I love that you covered Sarah Vaughan, I only really started listening to her music after I discovered Amy Winehouse -My favourite artist of all time. Amy once quoted: "Sarah Vaughan is one of my favourite singers of all time. She was an instrument. I've heard one record, it's like a humming solo, and she sounds like a reed instrument - like a clarinet. I came to Sarah Vaughan later - Amy on Sarah Vaughan 🖤
The control she had from her voice was unbelievable!! Not only the vibrato, but also the changes from one note down to another and back up to the first note, back down and then back up with that my accuracy. I also love the dynamics she put into the song. You just don't hear that anymore.
I love the way she just tosses off all those incredibly twists and turns in her voice like she's not even thinking about it, like she carries that voice around with her and lets it out to play.
Your taste remains impeccable, Fil. For my money, Sassy Sarah's voice was so incredible in so many ways, that I think she was, and will remain, the greatest single female jazz vocalist of the 20th century.
What a silky, rich voice. I so appreciate your analysis, Fil! I so enjoy a singer who can deliver an incredible song with such poise and ease. Glad to know you were also captivated by this “performance”.
I love love LOVE Sarah’s voice. She’s the queen of jazz crooning. Her vibrato is insane !! I’ve listened to her many times, but this analysis made me listen more intently. Thank you for this gift !!
Sarah was one of the most dynamic and vocally gifted singers of all time. Sarah could sing anything and make it magic. But let's not forget how amazing you are Fil being able to break down such vocal talents and show how dynamic they are is a testament to your amazing musical talents. Well done. You appreciate well delivered music.
Wonderful explanation of why she does what she does. I don’t usually tend to go for singers that sing with huge amounts of vibrato but I enjoy her singing very much. Went to see her in person back in the late 70s, small nightclub in the city, it was a great setting for her.
I was driving yesterday with mom in the car, listening to the Sinatra channel. The display was just the name of the show, so the song and artist info were not displayed. Mom asked “who is this singing?” I said “I think it’s Sarah Vaughn.” I was right as it was announced after. She’s pretty easy to identify. Nobody had a voice quite like hers.
Sarah's a beautiful lady with a lovely voice that is so silky smooth and captivating. She sure can hold them notes for a long time, that's amazing! I enjoyed the analysis! 🙂
I remember hearing her sing “You Go To My Head” for the first time while driving home from class (way back in college), and I had to pull over so I could really listen. She’s one of my favorite jazz vocalists.
The way she extends those notes with that delicate, mesmerising vibrato - it’s as though she breathes life into them and they don’t want to dissipate 😍 EDIT: I’ve always wanted to see those notes on the monitor - they look every bit as impressive as they sound. Thanks, Fil!
Another legendary jazz/soul voice of this era (like Ella Fitzgerald, Doris Day, Jo Stafford, Billie Holliday and Etta James) beautiful and almost lost to the ages (a huge thank you to Amy Winehouse, Norah Jones and Angelina Jordan for keeping this sound alive and well)... if only today's music was even 10% as good as this.... thanks Fil and I am glad it blew your mind because it does for many of us too. True talent.
Fil, I was one of the many that requested this performance. Thank you for giving us such a masterful and penetrating analysis of this video! Sarah is immortal!
I sing a lot of Sarah’s tunes and oh man she makes everything look easy. What a mind-blowing voice. One thing I love to do: listen to how Ella and Sarah approached a song differently. Sarah’s phrasing In particular was always interesting and unexpected.
Right on! It's impossible to predict the way SV will sing the next phrase or even a tiny part of the phrase. NO cliches. Just subtle, unique and superb taste.
I was cooking as I was listening to this, but I came back and did a rewind to watch her last phrasing, Angelic. And amazing to see. I can see why you got lost. Brava.
Thank you so much for doing a video on Sarah Vaughan. I think she might be the most remarkable singer that you’ve covered so far. I love her work all the way from the ‘50s to the ‘80s.
Not many singers and musicians can perform a song at such a slow tempo and hold the audience's attention. Sarah Vaughn and Ray Charles are two standouts that come to mind. A beautiful performance!
Lots of vocal coaches do vocal analyses of singers, listening to Phil he is on a class of his own. Phil really understands the technique of good singing and his observations when discussing the performance are informative. His appreciation and understanding of performances from different eras and genres phenomenal.Thanks Phil YOU ARE SIMPLY THE BEST
THIS is the real power and magic of great music - it transcends time as well as types and styles - it's so great to hear as well as listen to a "rock star" pay homage to Sarah's beautiful art.
Wonderful song by one of the greatest female artists ever. My favourite of Sarah is Broken Hearted Melody which I have played regularly since 1959. Fabulous!
I’m so glad to see you covered Sarah Vaughan. She’s my all-time favorite female vocalist. I was never much of a concert goer but when she came to San Jose in the mid 70s I had to go. My favorite song by her is ”Star Eyes" 💕 She was “Bloody Mary" in South Pacific with Carreras and Te Kanawa. In a video about the making of that album she said she was thrilled to be singing with those opera stars.
Wow.. talk about ‘becoming the music’!! That was amazing.. I heard Louis Armstrong riffs… a little Nat King Cole too. Wow, wow!! Thanks, as always, for finding the gems, and doing such a great job of analyzing it for us.
I saw Sarah three times and was always blown away by her control and freedom in her technique. She was unquestionably one of the greatest vocal artisans ever to grace this planet. The way she lured the listener into her world with a sense of simplicity and beauty... There is only one Sarah. EXCELLENT video File!!!!!!!!! 😀😀😀♥️♥️♥️
