Is Sarah + 2 a good place to start with Sarah Vaughan?

Yes, Sarah + 2 is recommended as a starting point for new Sarah Vaughan listeners. A lush orchestral arrangement complements Sarah Vaughan's soaring, emotive vocals, blending jazz sophistication with pop sensibilities. By the time 'Sarah + 2' was released in January 1962, Sarah Vaughan was already an established figure in jazz, transitioning from her earlier bebop roots to a more polished vocal style. This album followed her acclaimed work in the late 1950s and marked a continued evolution in her career as she embraced orchestral backing, highlighting her versatility and appeal to a broader audience.

Who is Sarah + 2 for?

Sarah + 2 works well if you're into intimate evening listening experience, steady pacing for relaxed moments and emotive vocals that draw you.

How many songs are on Sarah + 2?

Sarah + 2 has 11 tracks, running approximately 37 minutes.

Sarah + 2

Sarah Vaughan · 1962

37 min · 11 tracks · jazz

A lush orchestral arrangement complements Sarah Vaughan's soaring, emotive vocals, blending jazz sophistication with pop sensibilities.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Just in Time Start here — accessible entry with immediate hook
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When Sunny Gets Blue — This track highlights Vaughan's ability to convey deep emotion through her phrasing and control, making it a standout ballad that resonates with listeners.
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Goodnight Sweetheart — Vaughan’s rendition transforms this classic into a heartfelt lullaby, showcasing her rich tonal quality and intimate delivery.
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All or Nothing at All — The song exemplifies Vaughan's mastery of dynamics and timing, allowing her voice to ebb and flow with the lush orchestral arrangement behind her.

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

Vaughan's emotive interpretations and orchestral backing create a polished yet engaging jazz experience.

What we noticed

The album features lush orchestral arrangements that support Vaughan's vocals, creating a rich soundscape throughout.
Each track showcases Vaughan's vocal range and emotional delivery, with several songs featuring intricate phrasing and dynamic shifts.

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

intimate evening listening experience
steady pacing for relaxed moments
emotive vocals that draw you
for cozy gatherings

Maybe skip if you

prefer fast-paced, upbeat tracks
want standalone energetic singles

Where this album fits

In the catalog: Breakthrough — This album achieved commercial success and increased Vaughan's recognition in vocal jazz.
Career context: By the time 'Sarah + 2' was released in January 1962, Sarah Vaughan was already an established figure in jazz, transitioning from her earlier bebop roots to a more polished vocal style. This album followed her acclaimed work in the late 1950s and marked a continued evolution in her career as she embraced orchestral backing, highlighting her versatility and appeal to a broader audience.
Stylistic neighbors: Ella Fitzgerald· Billie Holiday· Nancy Wilson