Is No Count Sarah a good place to start with Sarah Vaughan?

Yes, No Count Sarah is recommended as a starting point for new Sarah Vaughan listeners. A lush tapestry of orchestral arrangements highlights Sarah Vaughan's rich, emotive vocals and impeccable phrasing across timeless standards. By 1958, Sarah Vaughan was already an established jazz vocalist, having gained acclaim from her work in the 1940s and early 1950s. 'No Count Sarah' followed her acclaimed album 'Sarah Vaughan with Clifford Brown' and showcased her ability to navigate complex ballads with ease. This release marked her continued evolution as a leading voice in jazz during a transformative era for the genre.

Who is No Count Sarah for?

No Count Sarah works well if you're into steady melodic flow throughout, rich vocal interpretations of standards and for evening relaxation.

How many songs are on No Count Sarah?

No Count Sarah has 9 tracks, running approximately 35 minutes.

No Count Sarah

Sarah Vaughan · 1958

35 min · 9 tracks · jazz

A lush tapestry of orchestral arrangements highlights Sarah Vaughan's rich, emotive vocals and impeccable phrasing across timeless standards.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Smoke Gets in Your Eyes Start here — This track stands out for its haunting arrangement and Vaughan's soulful interpretation, capturing the essence of longing inherent in the lyrics.
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Darn That Dream — Vaughan's delivery on this classic demonstrates her ability to convey deep emotion through subtle phrasing and dynamic control, making it a highlight.
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Cheek to Cheek — Her playful yet sophisticated interpretation transforms this well-known standard into a joyful celebration, showcasing her versatility and charm.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

60 /100

Treeline

Higher than 66% of albums we've rated

The album showcases Vaughan's vocal prowess within rich orchestral settings, balancing jazz and pop elements effectively.

What we noticed

The album features lush orchestral arrangements that complement Vaughan's vocals, with strings and horns often weaving in and out of the foreground.
Each track maintains a consistent mid-tempo feel, with only slight variations in dynamics and intensity across the nine songs.

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

Influence 4/10

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 melodic flow throughout
rich vocal interpretations of standards
for evening relaxation
intimate moments of reflection

Maybe skip if you

seeking high-energy tracks
prefering fast-paced listening

Where this album fits

In the catalog: Critical Peak — Showcases Vaughan's technical prowess and emotional depth, receiving critical acclaim.
Career context: By 1958, Sarah Vaughan was already an established jazz vocalist, having gained acclaim from her work in the 1940s and early 1950s. 'No Count Sarah' followed her acclaimed album 'Sarah Vaughan with Clifford Brown' and showcased her ability to navigate complex ballads with ease. This release marked her continued evolution as a leading voice in jazz during a transformative era for the genre.
Stylistic neighbors: Ella Fitzgerald· Billie Holiday· Nancy Wilson