The Benny Carter Sessions

Performer: Sarah Vaughan
Artist: Benny Carter
Producer: Michael Cuscuna; Teddy Reig; Michael Cuscuna (Reissue)
Distributor: EMI Music Distribution

Notes: THE BENNY CARTER SESSIONS is a digitally remixed collection of two separate Sarah Vaughan releases: 1962's THE EXPLOSIVE SIDE OF SARAH VAUGHAN and 1963's THE LONELY HOURS. Recorded in Los Angeles in August, 1962 and June 13-16, 1963. Originally released as 2 separate LPs. Includes liner notes by Leslie Gourse. All tracks have been digitally remastered. Personnel: Sarah Vaughan (vocals). Recording information: 08/??/1962-07/16/1963. Arranger: Benny Carter . Sarah Vaughan's two Roulette orchestra sessions that featured Benny Carter arrangements (The Explosive Side of Sarah Vaughan and The Lonely Hours) are reissued in full on The Benny Carter Sessions from 1994. The unidentified musicians (which include strings on the second set) are chiefly accompanists behind the frequently miraculous singer. The "explosive" album (which mostly does not live up to its billing) is the better of the two dates with more variety and highlights in songs such as "Honeysuckle Rose," "The Lady's in Love with You," "I Can't Give You Anything but Love" and a spirited "Trolley Song." The later set is more ballad-oriented and less memorable, though it does offer a classic rendition of "Solitude." Throughout, Vaughan is in prime voice, overcoming the weaker material and uplifting the more superior songs. Not essential but Sarah Vaughan fans will enjoy this reissue. ~ Scott Yanow

Sarah Vaughan's name was synonymous with jazz singing for two generations. She probably ranks as a close second only to Ella Fitzgerald in terms of influence, vocal range, and sheer, consistent brilliance. Her knowledge of bebop, gained during her '40s stint with Billy Eckstine, enabled her to advance the harmonic side of her work beyond that of her contemporaries. Throughout the '50s, she produced a torrent of albums in either a popular vein for Mercury Records, or more jazz-oriented material for subsidiary label EmArcy.

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