Swingin' Easy
Sarah Vaughan · 1957
36 min · 13 tracks · jazz
A smooth blend of lush orchestration and Sarah Vaughan's powerful, emotive voice creates an intimate jazz experience.
Top tracks — play these first
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Shulie a Bop Start here — accessible entry with immediate hook
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Lover Man — This track exemplifies Vaughan's ability to convey deep emotion through her phrasing and dynamic control, making it one of her signature performances.
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Body and Soul — Vaughan's rendition of this classic showcases her exceptional vocal range and improvisational skills, turning a well-known standard into a personal statement.
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Pennies From Heaven — The playful arrangement combined with Vaughan's joyful delivery highlights her ability to seamlessly blend swing elements with rich jazz harmonies.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
Vaughan's vocal prowess shines through varied arrangements, creating an engaging yet somewhat uneven listening experience.
What we noticed
- Tracks like 'Shulie a Bop' and 'Lover Man' showcase contrasting tempos, moving from upbeat to more introspective pieces throughout.
- Several songs include intricate vocal phrasing and improvisation, highlighting Vaughan's technical skill and emotional delivery.
- 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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7/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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5/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Significant within its genre. 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 relaxation
- emotional vocal storytelling
- short, engaging listening sessions
- smooth background ambiance
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Breakthrough — First album with Mercury, showcasing her versatility and gaining wider recognition.
- Career context
- Released in 1957, Swingin' Easy is Sarah Vaughan's first album with the Mercury Records label after years of recording for Columbia. At this point, she was already recognized as a leading figure in jazz, having gained acclaim for her unique vocal style and ability to interpret complex melodies. This album further cemented her status as a prominent artist in the bebop and cool jazz scenes.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Ella Fitzgerald· Billie Holiday· Nancy Wilson
Tracklist
- 1 Shulie a Bop Start here 2:40
- 2 Lover Man 3:17
- 3 I Cried for You 1:40
- 4 Polka Dots and Moonbeams 2:35
- 5 All of Me 3:17
- 6 Words Can't Describe 4:33
- 7 Prelude to a Kiss 2:47
- 8 You Hit the Spot 3:02
- 9 Pennies From Heaven 3:06
- 10 If I Knew Then (What I Know Now) 2:32
- 11 Body and Soul 3:14
- 12 They Can't Take That Away From Me 2:42
- 13 Linger Awhile 0:59
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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