Drawn from
Sarah Vaughan's first round with Mercury Records (and its EmArcy Records subsidiary) between 1954 and 1964, this fine selection features the singer in a variety of settings ranging from intimate trios to bopping big bands and smooth, silky orchestras, all of it showcasing
Vaughan's lush tone and playful phrasing. Among the many highlights are the opener, a strong rendition of a
Quincy Jones arrangement of "Misty," a sparkling take on
Cole Porter's "Just One of Those Things" while fronting the Count Basie Orchestra, and a duet on "Always" with her mentor,
Billy Eckstine. There is a lot more to the story than this, though, and ardent listeners may want to check out the four-volume (each volume of which contains six discs)
Complete Sarah Vaughan on Mercury series, but as a quick single-disc introduction to one of
Vaughan's most commercially successful eras, this set will certainly get you started. ~ Steve Leggett