Copacabana
Sarah Vaughan · 1979
35 min · 9 tracks · jazz
A lush blend of Brazilian bossa nova and traditional jazz, showcasing Vaughan's rich vocals over vibrant instrumentation.
Top tracks — play these first
-
→
Copacabana Start here — The title track serves as a vibrant introduction to the album's themes, blending upbeat rhythms with Vaughan's playful yet powerful delivery.
-
→
Dindi — This track beautifully showcases Vaughan's ability to convey deep emotion through her phrasing, illustrating the warmth of bossa nova melodies.
-
→
Gentle Rain — Vaughan's interpretation transforms this classic into a haunting ballad, revealing her mastery in conveying nuance and subtlety within a jazz context.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album blends jazz and bossa nova effectively, highlighting Vaughan's vocal prowess within sophisticated arrangements.
What we noticed
- The album features lush arrangements with a prominent use of strings and woodwinds, creating a rich backdrop for Vaughan's vocals.
- Each track maintains a steady bossa nova rhythm, with syncopated guitar and percussion that complement the melodic lines.
- Composition 25% of the score
-
8/10
- Craft 20% of the score
-
7/10
- Durability 25% of the score
-
6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
-
6/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
-
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
- steady mid-tempo flow throughout
- rich emotive vocal explorations
- for relaxed gatherings
- warm ambiance for quiet evenings
Maybe skip if you
- prefer fast-paced listening experiences
- seek high-energy party tracks
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Late Career Highlight — Revived Vaughan's popularity, showcasing her versatility in jazz and bossa nova.
- Career context
- Released in 1979, Copacabana marked a significant return for Sarah Vaughan after a period of relative commercial decline. This album emphasized her versatility, bridging the gap between jazz and bossa nova as she embraced new stylistic influences. It followed her earlier work, positioning Vaughan as an artist willing to explore fresh sounds while maintaining her signature vocal prowess.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Ella Fitzgerald· Billie Holiday· Nancy Wilson
Moments worth listening for
Where the writing does something specific.
-
Dindi
The narrative shifts from longing to hopefulness as the narrator reflects on memories tied to a beloved place.
This transition not only enhances the emotional depth of the song but also emphasizes Vaughan's nuanced vocal delivery that breathes life into each phrase.
Tracklist
- 1 Copacabana Start here 3:36
- 2 The Smiling Hour (Abra alas) 4:17
- 3 To Say Goodbye (Pra dizer adeus) 3:47
- 4 Dreamer (Vivo sonhando) 3:39
- 5 Gentle Rain 2:48
- 6 Tête 4:39
- 7 Dindi 5:29
- 8 Double Rainbow 3:31
- 9 Bonita 3:53
What to play next
The Duke Ellington Songbook, Vol. 2
1979
Continues the exploration of Ellington's music with rich arrangements and Vaughan's signature style.
The Duke Ellington Songbook, Vol. 1
1979
Sets the stage for the lush interpretations found in Copacabana, focusing on classic jazz standards.
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
Sync your library
Everything you track here works immediately — no account needed. Create one when you want to sync across devices.