How Long Has This Been Going On?
Sarah Vaughan · 1978
42 min · 10 tracks · jazz
A lush tapestry of jazz standards, showcasing Vaughan's rich vocals and emotive interpretations over sophisticated arrangements.
Top tracks — play these first
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How Long Has This Been Going On? — The title track stands out with its poignant exploration of longing and desire, highlighted by Vaughan's dynamic phrasing and emotive delivery.
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Body and Soul — Vaughan’s interpretation transforms this classic into a haunting narrative, showcasing her ability to infuse deep emotion into each note.
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I’ve Got the World on a String Start here — This opening track captures Vaughan's vibrant energy and playful spirit, setting the tone for the album with its upbeat tempo and charismatic delivery.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
Vaughan's rich vocals shine over sophisticated arrangements, making it a strong return after her hiatus.
What we noticed
- The album features lush orchestral arrangements that complement Vaughan's vocal delivery, with strings and horns frequently weaving in and out of the foreground.
- Each track showcases a different emotional nuance, with tempo variations ranging from slow ballads to more upbeat interpretations.
- Vaughan's phrasing often plays against the rhythm section, creating a conversational feel between her voice and the instrumentalists.
- 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
- steady pacing for relaxed evenings
- lush arrangements for intimate settings
- rich vocals over elegant instrumentation
- emotional depth for reflective moments
Maybe skip if you
- prefer fast-paced listening experiences
- seek upbeat party anthems
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Late Career Highlight — A strong release after a hiatus, showcasing Vaughan's enduring vocal talent.
- Themes
- jazz club intimacy· longing ballads· emotional resilience
- Career context
- By 1978, Sarah Vaughan was an established jazz vocalist with a career spanning over three decades. 'How Long Has This Been Going On?' arrived as her first album after a five-year hiatus from recording, marking a significant return to the studio, allowing her to explore deeper emotional expressions in familiar standards.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Ella Fitzgerald· Billie Holiday· Nancy Wilson
Tracklist
- 1 I’ve Got the World on a String Start here 5:31
- 2 Midnight Sun 1:37
- 3 How Long Has This Been Going On? 6:00
- 4 You’re Blase 5:07
- 5 Easy Living 1:37
- 6 More Than You Know 6:43
- 7 My Old Flame 6:14
- 8 Teach Me Tonight 3:03
- 9 Body and Soul 3:40
- 10 When Your Lover Has Gone 2:53
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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