Sarah Vaughan - Sarah + 2

180g audiophile vinyl reissue, remastering by Ray Staff at Air Mastering, Lyndhurst Hall, London.

Personnel: Sarah Vaughan, vocals / Barney Kessel, guitar / Joe Comfort, bass

Producer: Teddy Reig
Recorded 1962

Those who throughout the years have denied Sarah the cachet of a true jazz singer are in for a surprise with this LP. Those who many, many times have said that Sarah couldn't interpret lyrics are also in for a surprise. Daring, startling, innovative, creative, are just a few of the words that come to mind when one thinks of the risk it represents for a jazz singer to do an album with bass and electric guitar only, like in this case. However, the format works wonders by giving her a minimal support that allows to showcase her fireworks.

You'll apply the above adjectives as well when you hear Sarah's rhythmic and melodic inventions, always in perfect time, always within the harmony but at the same time revealing hidden corners of it, always adding an unsuspected hue to the song. - Joseph John

If you are a Sarah Vaughan fan, or better yet, if you have for one reason or another, remained on the sidelines, this release is as good as it gets. With superb remastering by Ray Staff at Air Mastering, Lyndhurst Hall, London, you will be treated to a jazz recording that shows Vaughan's broad range and ability to shift octaves and notes, yet stay within herself. - Pierre Giroux, Audiophile Audition