Vocal Analysis of Sarah Vaughan singing "Maria" from West Side Story LIVE in 1964 

Sarah was an actual instrument. That sound is way more than singing.

There's a load of other singers, then there's Sarah Vaughan.

I can never get over her phrasing -- and after those long, sustained lines, she hardly seems to breathe. And sometimes, beautiful sound will be coming out and her mouth barely seems to be open -- she just makes it seem so magical and effortless. For me, she's the absolute best!!

I discovered Sarah Vaughan when I was 18. Her voice was the most magnificent sound that I ever heard. I ran out and bought every album I could find by her. I had the pleasure of hearing her perform live in the 80's. And I continued to follow her and buy everything she put out, up until her death in 1990. I'm 69 now and still her voice was and continues to be the most magnificent voice I've ever heard. The memory of seeing her perform live is one I'll treasure and carry with me for the rest of my life. Thank you for sharing your appreciation and respect for my beloved Sarah Vaughan.

Don't apologize for stopping to give your expertise. That's what we're here for.

And she was an amazing piano player as well

Her voice is like liquid gold

Oh my gawd I can not believe I have never heard this track version of Sarah Vaughn interpreting “Maria”. The goosebumps of her tone, phrasing and incredible stage presence is beyond amazing. Thank you so much for sharing this beautiful gem.

I just watched the video of her doing Misty at this particular performance. She had a cold this night. Yeh! She had a cold, and despite that, this gorgeous silky phenomenally perfect voice came out through the whole thing. She was a gift

Ah.... Sarah Vaughan, The Divine One! She was truly a musical gift to us all! Thank you Bethany. This made my day. 😊

The way she has such breath and air control moving from, for example, … rain and the sustained N right into the M for Maria without another breath is so stinking seamless and beautiful. What a treat to start my morning with this beautiful voice and your comments and facial expressions while listening and then commenting about it. Thank you!

Sarah Vaughan, a musical legend and a great vocalist. She took this classic song and made it her own. Simply beautiful! And Bethany, thank you for recognizing the integration of her vocals with the instrumentation. I fondly remember her from the 50's and 60's as a teenager. Yes, I'm that ancient...

Beautiful and haunting..the original Divine One ..someone already mentioned it but her voice is a instrument that's why it compliments the musicians..a beautiful play against one another..

Sarah was incredible. My all time favorite always. RIP Angel

First time hearing Sarah Vaughan and I’m in awe! What an amazing voice. Thank you Beth❤

She's one of the top ten greatest of all time. A true virtuoso this was so enjoyable Thank you

Another of the lucky few here who got to hear the Divine One live. She was unrivalled. Listening to her improvise scat was living in the presence of pure genius.

"Sassy" they called Miss Vaughn She was a Jazz pianist as well as a vocal genius. "Send in the Clowns" makes me cry when she sings it.

The "problem" with reacting to Sarah is that, simply, she is in a category of one--from start to finish, she was in her own category.

Simply effortless.... just drifting away, something magical about the older artist, would it have a place in today's music shop, sadly I fear not.... first time I've heard this lady , my goodness gravy........

I literally wept watching this. Absolutely magnificent

Amy Winehouse grew up listening to Sarah Vaughan and you can hear it in her voice.

If you haven’t heard it, the version of “September Song,” which she did with Clifford Brown, is sublime. I still get goosebumps every time I hear it.

I heard Sarah Vaughan in a concert in 1971. One of the songs she sang was George Gershwin's "Summertime; right at the last note at the very end she put down the microphone and hit a high note (must have been a high Bflat) and held it out. I was sitting on the second balcony and her voice filled the entire hall. I'll never forget that experience. If she wanted to, she could have become an operatic soprano. Rest in peace.

I listen to really heavy metal and classic definitely love the classical stuff like this

The trio was Kirk Stuart on Piano, Buster Williams on bass and George Hughes on Drums - not exactly household names although Williams played with Herbie Hancock later in life. Just indicative of the incredible talent in jazz around the early to mid sixties...

In 64 she was not promoted in much of the USA . THANK YOU Scandinavia !

Everyone should watch her Berlin concert on RU-vid. Sarah does the meanest version of “Fly Me to the Moon”.

Just wow!

Thank you SO MUCH for this analysis!! SV has always been my favorite singer -- of any genre -- and now that she's been gone a long time, there are so many people who've never heard her, which really pains me. Thanks for bringing her to new audiences, as well as to those of us who've loved her forever. Your technical critique is so helpful, as usual. Even more, I enjoy your awe and enthusiasm. BTW, if you haven't already, be sure to check out Wings of Pegasus's analysis of her performance of "The More I See You." He uses pitch-monitoring software in his videos and it's fascinating to SEE Sarah Vaughan's voice onscreen. For one thing, you can see what makes her vibrato so special and appreciate her musicianship in a different way. Please, when you can, have a listen to "Fly Me to the Moon" from her "Live in Berlin 1969" album (ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-yhVjP9luwLE.htmlsi=54R8J-QQDqHDpYhi).

Sarah Vaughan is a legend!!!! What else to say?

Thank you for sharing Miss Sarah Vaughan ... I'm 75 and have always loved her talent. One of the very best to ever craft a tune.

Been a fan since my youth. Thank you for sharing her with younger generations. Sarah's voice is captivating.

Muchos gracias, Bethany 🙏 Good gracious voice! What a great performer Sarah Vaughan was. I can't help crying, witha smile on my face. And your reaction is captivating also 👋🧙‍♀️💚

My favourite female singer ever…

I could listen to her voice all day, every day. She’s my favorite vocalist- ever.

A voice so rich that it reverberates in its own velodrome, created a wall of sound so dense and luxurious- like solidifying mist, then releasing it into the ethereal plain, from whence it came.

This is exquisite. I adore the vocals of this woman. Never heard this particular song from her but it is delicate and enchanting.

One of my favorite recordings of Sarah's. Thanks so much for choosing this one! (And thanks for calling out her amazing trio.) Her version of "I Feel Pretty" from the same set is also wonderful.

🙌🙌🙌🙌vocal painting 🙌🙌🙌🙌

My. Name. Is. John. Holladay. I. Listened. To. The. Rendition. Of. Sarah. Vaughan. I. Love. The. Way. You. Critique. Sarah. Vaughan. Magnificent. Rendition. Of. Maria. I. Too. Adore. Anything. Sarah. Vaughan. Voice. It. Is. Beyond. Magical.. I. Don’t. Understand. The. Mechanics. Of. Singing, So. When. You. Address. “Technique”. Concerning. Her. Voice, I. Am. Lost. I. Only. Know. That. When. I. Listen. To. Sarah. Vaughan, Her. Melodious. Voice. Bathes. My. Heart. Bless. You. Ma.am.

As a child of the late 20th into 21st century, and a one-time choral student/singer, I maintain that the microphone--particularly the condenser mic--opened an orchestra of improvisational techniques not heard in over 200 years, since Baroque-early Classical.

Chills

The most beautiful sound I ever heard is Sarah Vaughan's voice.

Those incredible long lines you think are over and still still breath for another surprise!

No pne has sung this as great as sarah vaughan. Ever

My fave vocalist of all time accompanied by Kirk Stuart on piano, B Williams on double bass and George Hughes on drums. Could have sung opera if she wanted to...thanks for the reaction

this is absolutely on the top of all Sarah Vaughan performances if not all Jazz vocal performances of all time. Especially that ending...

“Good gravy”, I love your channel.

Sarah was phenomenal…a superb singer. Her live version of ‘The Shadow of Your Smile’ with a very young Bob James is fabulous. I love her ❤

Pure magic in her voice and this performance.

Maravilhosa! Inesquecível! Total domínio na voz! Magnífica! Fenomenal!

Perfect pitch and such range. May never be another like her.

Her elocution is beyond compare. Shakespearian in how she pronounces her words. This on top of her magnificent voice!

I like your channel because I didn't realize all the 'moving parts' that take place while singing a song. In this song, I really love how she goes effortlessly from 'peaks to valleys'. I love your channel a ton, and you are such a very charming person to watch and listen to which really does matter!

I love seeing your face. Exactly.

This is even more incredible when you know she was a smoker all her life!

She is my godess in singing ... Such an inspiration for other young singers ..looking into other dimension of singing world ....

Thank for keeping bel canto alive.If it dIes so will we.

Got to see one of her last roformamces at the Bluenote in Ny.Absalute Beauty the Gift of the most Beautiful Songbirds were Gifted to come from this Songtress extronaire Sassy Sarah Vaughn🎉

Naturally enough I love that you gave her so much time to sing, yes and that would only be natural

It’s hard to stay professional in the presence of magic.

You’re analysis as provided such additional depth to my enjoyment of Sarah’s performance. Thank you so much.

The divine one

What serendipity! About the exact time you posted this, I was commenting on a Lara Fabian reaction that, though I've really liked and admired many singers, only two stopped me dead in my tracks when I first heard them. A fellow Fabian Stan asked me who the other was. So I gushed about Vaughan. I even linked this exact performance. I kind of have always disliked the original and I do not actually care much for cool jazz. But in Vaughan's hands? Astonishing. Two masters who make the most brilliant 1001 emotionally evocative choices and have the enormous skill toolbox to execute every one. (He was already very familiar with Vaughan. Of course he was, As a fellow Fabian Stan he is a man of refined taste. 😅)

Discovered her around 13. She's beyond.

One last note….. Sarah Vaughn is like an audiophile system. It starts off lukewarm as the song progresses she starts to increase the temperature into hot and as a listener you’re just there wondering what just happened on this journey?!?!

I absolutely love Sarah! Sassy was phenomenal. Great video!!!

Before Whitney Houston, Sarah Vaughan was the best voice in American popular music. She was way ahead of her time.

You are a great discovey to me. Thouroughly enjoyed many of your episodes. Top class thank you. Allow me to add that I am glad you have fnally found the only one black (or brown) voice worthy of your attention! !!

My funny Valentine, Sarah live in Berlin 1969....

WOW!

What A Great Jazz Band and Sarah is One Of The Greatest Of All Time. Pete sr 😮😢😊❤What A Voice. I Love Sarah

Great❤

If you watch "Misty" from the same concert ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-lJXLqAutql4.html Sarah tells in the introduction that she has a cold. She also is suffering a bit under the TV lights and yet the magic that she was shines through. Not only her immaculate voice, phrasing and so on but her stage craft comes shining through. It seems Bethany that you are a fan. Me too.

This is so good! In keeping with the women history month and carrying over from black history month, I would LOVE to hear your vocal analysis of Etta James - I'd Rather Go Blind (Live at Montreux 1975). A couple of powerhouse singers Sarah and Etta!

my favorite singer...then Teena Marie.

❤❤❤

for eternity

Would love to see you react to another great Jazz singer, Shirley Horn!

Please tell me about more about you. I'm Sam Cross in Gary Indiana and I found out about the devine one in 1990 shortly before her death and I'm still captivated. I need to know more about vibrato, color, contrast in vocal ability. I can do some Frank Sinatra, Nat Cole, but she had me with hello. I no nother about music reading but when I learn I'll stay in the classical range with Sarah Vaughan, Nancy Wilson, Renee Fleming genre

Vocalyst, your videos are oustanding, you should do Edith Piaf and Dinah Washington both unique artists. Maybe Esther Phillips.

You are absolutely beautiful!

She actually did musical theater. I forgot which one but she was on london’s west end … oh yes. It was South Pacific. She sang two songs and was on the cast album. I forget the name of the song but she executes it beautifully.

What are you without words? And they strike me as hollow.

Excuse typos so excited

In the palm of her hand at "ever heard."

Exactly, why listen to and love those voices from those years? Because today we are bombarded by Autotune, IE, various processing programs... And these records of what could be shown in the past?? This is what sustains my passion for music. This censorship will end, my love for music will end. Similar melismas, similar vocal lines immediately reminded me of "First Time Ever", but performed by Robert Flack.

I really like you and your videos. Every reaction you give is very important to me. I want to make a request. ''Mor ve ötesi - Bir Derdim Var | Harbiye Açıkhava Canlı Senfonik'' is another great Turkish rock band and their great vocalist. This is live show. Thank you so much

When are you going to do some more Home Free or Voiceplay reactions?

And she had a cold on that day...! (She said it right before Misty) 😵‍💫

Anita Baker always reminded me of Sarah Vaughn.

Good gravy 😋 🎙️

Give Anita O’Day a listen if you like jazz vocals

Mother Maybell Carter and her "Carter Scratch".

another suggestion from the 60's: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-bpoBISzUP4o.html

Hey there, i have some suggestions for some new reactions, i honetsly i think you could really like the stuff on System of a down's 4th album Mezmerize, because alot of it songs feature Daron Malakian, the 2nd singer and guitarist that you've mentioned before. I would specificially recommend the songs "question!" and "lost in hollywood", which are definitely full of vocal variety and awesomeness haha.

I really think you shpuld have a look at Ultravox at Live Aid. Midge delivered an amazing vocal performance. Soz if you done it already.

First time here but enjoyed your comments. I was a paid student deejay at my university NPR/Jazz radio station in college in the late 80's, early 90's. Many times when I would play Sarah on the radio, the studio phone would ring with a listener asking, "what was that?, which album? what year!?..." She was incredible. The first time I heard her do "You turned the tables on me"w/ Count Basie I almost fell out of my chair. See the link and keep up the good work. ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-1n8GbAPMpCs.html

As with Cole ,,, a favourite female singer. The jazz genre produced more quality voices than any other. If i had to make a criticism it would be she plays with her voice a lot ,, in some cases over stretching the sound or notes,, but thats a style thing ,, The quality is there.