Sophisticated Lady: The Duke Ellington Songbook Collection is an
excellent two-disc set which includes two albums, Duke Ellington Song Book One and Duke Ellington Song Book Two, along with six previously unreleased
tracks. The music is arranged in chronological order of the recording sessions,
so the songs are not presented the way they were on the original releases.
Thus, the collection opens with the six previously unreleased tracks. The songs
are from eight sessions in 1979 and 1980.
Sarah Vaughan’s vocals
are so beautiful, so impressive. She is one of the great jazz singers.
Her voice is moving, even
when there are no words. Just listen to “Chelsea Bridge” or “I Didn’t Know
About You” for examples. Something about this music works to make you feel so good. There is also
something undeniably sexy about many of these tracks.
This collection also
includes fairly extensive new liner notes by Tad Hershorn.
“Sophisticated Lady”
That first session – from
August 13, 1979 – starts with “Sophisticated Lady,” with a beautiful orchestral
arrangement that of course never outshines Sarah’s remarkable vocal
performance. She can rise to great heights, then hit those low notes. She also
has a sense of play in this rendition. There is also a nice, brief lead part on
saxophone by Zoot Sims.
The second rendition,
from August 15, 1979, is truly sexy, with a smaller group (no strings). It has
that perfect late-night smoky club feel. The instrumental section is absolutely
wonderful, with great stuff from Frank Wess on saxophone, Jimmy Rowles on piano
and Joe Pass on guitar. But it’s still her vocals that really make this track
spectacular, one of the collection’s best.
“In A Sentimental Mood”
The previously unreleased
version of “In A Sentimental Mood” should bring out the romantic in all of us.
I can just lose myself in Sarah’s voice. “It’s
all like a dream to call you mine.” Listening to this music is like
entering a dream, or like a dream reaching out to envelop our waking selves.
There is a different
orchestral arrangement of this song on the second disc, this one by Billy
Byers. I especially love the quieter sections of that version, where it’s
mostly her vocals.
“Solitude”
“Solitude” is absolutely
gorgeous, grabbing you from the first notes. What a sweet and delicious vocal
performance. Even as she sings that she’s “filled
with despair,” you’re going to feel so damn good. This previously
unreleased track is one of this collection’s highlights. Zoot Sims provides a
beautiful lead on saxophone.
The second version opens
with a really nice intro on piano, setting the tone perfectly. Sarah Vaughan’s
vocals are so thoughtful, so moving.
“Day Dream”
“Day Dream” features
another powerful vocal performance, as well as some nice work by Jimmy Rowles
on piano and Zoot Sims on saxophone during the instrumental section.
Sarah Vaughan gives an
impressive vocal performance on the other version of this song too. She can do
so much vocally, and somehow it all works perfectly. There’s a cool lead by
Waymon Reed on flugelhorn, and I like Andy Simpkins’ work on bass.
“Tonight I Shall Sleep (With A Smile On My Face)”
The previously unreleased
version of “Tonight I Shall Sleep (With A Smile On My Face)” is a romantic gem
with an air of magic about it. After listening to it, I believe I shall sleep
with a smile on my face too. The instrumental section is likewise beautiful.
The second orchestral
version of this song has quite a different feel. Arranged by Billy Byers, this
one features Frank Wess on flute. (I actually prefer the first version.)
The previously unreleased
session also includes “Lush Life,” and this version is all about Sarah
Vaughan’s vocals. A second orchestral version from exactly a month later is
included on the second disc.
“All Too Soon”
“All Too Soon” is one of
my favorites, due almost entirely to Sarah’s vocals. They’re so smooth, so
strong, and in taking a sad situation and singing about it, she makes us happy.
“For you whispered good bye all too soon.”
The love affair continues in the music.
“What Am I Here For?” is
a lot of fun, particularly in the instrumental section, and of course also in
Sarah’s playful vocal performance. “I’m Just A Lucky So And So” is also great
fun. I love the way she repeats “Just a
lucky” at the end, letting it build to the song’s conclusion.
“I Let A Song Go Out Of My Heart”
Sarah Vaughan switches to
a big band for the first New York session (September 12, 1979). “I Let A Song
Go Out Of My Heart” has a joyous, delightful sound. Sarah shows the power of
her voice, and still plays around, like on “’Twas
the sweetest melody.” And there is some tremendous work from the horn
section.
“It Don’t Mean A Thing (If It Ain’t Got That Swing)”
There is a great big band
arrangement of “It Don’t Mean A Thing (If It Ain’t Got That Swing).” Though
when her vocals come in, it’s basically just her and that cool rhythm on drums.
Then she breaks into the chorus, complete with some wonderful scat, and the
band really cooks. This version is a lot of fun, with a terrific amount of
energy (all stuffed into the shortest track of this collection – less than two
and a half minutes).
“Rocks In My Bed”
It’s all blues for her
rendition of “Rocks In My Bed,” featuring some excellent guitar work by PeeWee
Crayton, and some wonderful stuff on piano by Lloyd Glenn. And man, can Sarah
sell this one. It also doesn’t hurt that this version has a great lead section
by Eddie “Cleanhead” Vinson on saxophone. (He also provides some vocals in the
second half of the song, with Sarah backing him up.) This was recorded on
January 22, 1980.
“Prelude To A Kiss”
The final session – from
January 23, 1980 – features Sarah Vaughan accompanied only by Mike Wofford on
piano and Joe Pass on guitar. “Prelude To A Kiss” has a sexy but casual,
late-night vibe. Her voice is the main instrument here.
“Everything But You,”
also from that session, is seriously cool. Sarah is really enjoying herself
here, playing around. There is a nice piano lead by Mike Wofford.
“I Ain’t Got Nothin’ But The Blues”
This collection ends with
another cool track, a wonderful bit of blues titled “I Ain’t Got Nothin’ But
The Blues.” It begins with her singing a cappella, which is just perfect. Later
there is a section where she sings with just the lightest touch by the other
two musicians. It’s incredible. That leads to a nice guitar lead section. Sarah
sings a cappella again at the end. This is a wonderful closing number.
CD Track List
Disc 1
- Sophisticated Lady
- In A Sentimental Mood
- Lush Life
- Solitude
- Day Dream
- Tonight I Shall Sleep (With A Smile On My Face)
- Sophisticated Lady
- Solitude
- Day Dream
- All Too Soon
- What Am I Here For?
- I’m Just A Lucky So And So
- Chelsea Bridge
- Mood Indigo
- I Didn’t Know About You
Disc 2
- I Let A Song Go Out Of My Heart
- Black Butterfly
- In A Mellow Tone
- It Don’t Mean A Thing (If It Ain’t Got That Swing)
- In A Sentimental Mood
- Lush Life
- I Got It Bad (And That Ain’t Good)
- Tonight I Shall Sleep (With A Smile On My Face)
- Rocks In My Bed
- Prelude To A Kiss
- Everything But You
- I Ain’t Got Nothin’ But The Blues
Sophisticated Lady: The Duke Ellington Songbook Collection is
scheduled to be released on August 20, 2013 through Concord Music Group.
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