Is Send in the Clowns a good place to start with Sarah Vaughan?

Yes, Send in the Clowns is recommended as a starting point for new Sarah Vaughan listeners. A lush exploration of jazz balladry, blending emotional depth with Vaughan's rich, expressive vocal prowess. By 1974, Sarah Vaughan was an established figure in jazz, transitioning from her earlier bebop roots into a more sophisticated ballad style. 'Send in the Clowns' marked a significant moment as it was one of her later albums, showcasing her ability to interpret contemporary songs while retaining her unique jazz sensibility.

Who is Send in the Clowns for?

Send in the Clowns works well if you're into steady mid-tempo emotional exploration, intimate moments of vocal artistry and reflective soundtrack for quiet evenings.

How many songs are on Send in the Clowns?

Send in the Clowns has 10 tracks, running approximately 33 minutes.

Send in the Clowns

Sarah Vaughan · 1974

33 min · 10 tracks · jazz

A lush exploration of jazz balladry, blending emotional depth with Vaughan's rich, expressive vocal prowess.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Send in the Clowns Start here — The title track features Vaughan's stunning vocal delivery that captures both vulnerability and strength, making it a definitive interpretation of Sondheim's classic.
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Love Don’t Live Here Anymore — This track showcases Vaughan's emotive phrasing and ability to convey deep sorrow through her voice, illustrating her mastery of ballads.
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Wave — A beautifully arranged bossa nova piece, this track highlights Vaughan’s versatility and ability to navigate complex rhythms effortlessly.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

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

64 /100

Treeline

Higher than 79% of albums we've rated

Vaughan's expressive vocals and thematic depth create a strong, cohesive album that rewards repeated listening.

What we noticed

The album features lush orchestral arrangements that complement Vaughan's vocal delivery, creating a rich soundscape.
Each track is structured around a central theme, often exploring complex emotional narratives through the lyrics.

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: 7/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 8/10

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 mid-tempo emotional exploration
intimate moments of vocal artistry
reflective soundtrack for quiet evenings
lush arrangements that invite closeness

Maybe skip if you

seekers of high-energy tracks
prefer standalone singles over cohesion

Where this album fits

In the catalog: Breakthrough — This album featured a signature song that revitalized interest in Vaughan's work.
Career context: By 1974, Sarah Vaughan was an established figure in jazz, transitioning from her earlier bebop roots into a more sophisticated ballad style. 'Send in the Clowns' marked a significant moment as it was one of her later albums, showcasing her ability to interpret contemporary songs while retaining her unique jazz sensibility.
Stylistic neighbors: Ella Fitzgerald· Billie Holiday· Nancy Wilson