Close to You
Sarah Vaughan · 1960
34 min · 12 tracks · jazz
A lush blend of sophisticated jazz arrangements showcases Vaughan's rich, emotive voice in a collection of heartfelt ballads.
Top tracks — play these first
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Say It Isn’t So Start here — This opening track perfectly showcases Vaughan's ability to convey vulnerability through her powerful vocals and nuanced phrasing. The lush instrumentation complements her emotive delivery, setting the tone for the entire album.
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I’ll Never Be the Same — In this track, Vaughan masterfully balances melancholy with warmth, highlighted by her stunning vocal range. The emotional depth she brings elevates the song beyond its lyrical simplicity.
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Last Night When We Were Young — Vaughan's interpretation of this standard is hauntingly beautiful, showcasing her ability to imbue each note with deep emotion. The arrangement allows her voice to shine as a central force in the storytelling.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album showcases Vaughan's vocal prowess within lush arrangements, balancing emotional depth and musicality.
What we noticed
- The album features lush orchestral arrangements that complement Vaughan's vocal delivery, with strings and horns providing a rich backdrop.
- Each track is structured around a slow to mid-tempo ballad format, allowing for emotional expression and vocal improvisation.
- Vaughan's voice often interacts with the instrumentation, creating a call-and-response effect that highlights her phrasing and dynamics.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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6/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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7/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- intimate moments for romantic evenings
- steady pacing for reflective listening
- lush orchestral backing enhances emotion
- short tracks for quick enjoyment
Maybe skip if you
- prefer upbeat, fast-paced music
- seek experimental or avant-garde sounds
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Breakthrough — Marks Vaughan's transition to Mainstream label and resurgence in traditional pop standards.
- Career context
- Released in early 1960, 'Close to You' marks Sarah Vaughan's first album for the Mainstream label after departing from Mercury Records. At this point in her career, Vaughan was transitioning into a more intimate, orchestral style, moving beyond her earlier bebop roots. This album highlights her ability to deliver poignant interpretations of classic standards.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Ella Fitzgerald· Billie Holiday· Nancy Wilson
Tracklist
- 1 Say It Isn’t So Start here 2:51
- 2 Missing You 2:56
- 3 I’ve Got to Talk to My Heart 3:00
- 4 I’ll Never Be the Same 2:28
- 5 There’s No You 2:22
- 6 I Should Care 3:29
- 7 If You Are but a Dream 2:50
- 8 Maybe You’ll Be There 2:54
- 9 Out of This World 2:31
- 10 Last Night When We Were Young 2:55
- 11 Funny 2:59
- 12 Close to You 3:05
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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