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Sassy Swings The Tivoli ~ Sarah Vaughan | By Eddie Carter 

On the stage stands a beautiful woman who’s about to give a memorable performance before a capacity crowd in The Tivoli Theatre. The concert will be praised by the Danish press as one of the highlights of her career. Behind her sit three elegantly dressed gentlemen who’ll match her improvisational techniques, incredible range, and sophisticated style with their musical artistry. Together, they are a perfectly melded ensemble who are up to the task of enchanting the audience. Her name is Sarah Vaughan, and the gentlemen are Kirk Stuart on piano, Charles Williams on bass, and George Hughes on drums who collectively make up The Kirk Stuart Trio. This morning’s choice from the library is Sassy Swings The Tivoli (Mercury Records MG-20831/SR-60831). Quincy Jones was the musical director during the group’s four-day engagement at the Copenhagen hall. He supervised each recording and worked with Sarah on the song selections. My copy used in this report is the 1963 Mono deep groove album.

Side One starts with Won’t You Come Home Bill Bailey? It was written by Hughie Cannon and originally titled Bill Bailey, Won’t You Please Come Home? Cannon wrote the song after his friend Willard “Bill” Bailey discussed his marriage to his wife Sarah during an evening out together. Sassy serves up two exhilarating vocals that swing on the opening and closing melodies. Kirk comes in next for an energetic interpretation illustrating the trio’s remarkable interplay. The quartet slows the pace to a ballad tempo for Misty by Erroll Garner who wrote it with Johnny Burke adding the lyrics a year later. Sarah opens with a seductively stunning showpiece that spills out her emotions with sincere feeling. Stuart shares the spotlight adding a humorous note when he takes over on the bridge with a light touch during his vocal statement. Sarah, Kirk, Charles, and George have a little fun on the finale and these musical pranksters will bring a smile to your face and may even make you laugh a little by the song’s end.

Sassy and the trio offer an uptempo version of the Cole Porter classic, What Is This Thing Called Love? It was first heard in the musical, Wake Up and Dream (1929).  Here she makes the lyrics come alive with a jubilant performance including a short, scintillating scat that’s mesmerizing.  Amidst a thunderous ovation from the audience, Stuart begins a brief solo introduction developing into an elegantly beautiful rendition of Lover Man by Jimmy Davis, Roger Ramirez, and Jimmy Sherman. The dreamlike softness that Sarah brings to this standard is incredibly tender, soft, and delicately supplemented by the trio’s soothing support.  Sometimes I’m Happy by Vincent Youmans and Irving Caesar is a perfect song for jazz vocal improvisation.  Sassy and the trio grandly illustrate this at a rapidly brisk tempo. The quartet invites the audience to sit back and enjoy an uptempo free-wheeling scat performance of aggressive rhythmic heat with an agile ending.

Side Two starts with I Feel Pretty by Leonard Bernstein and Stephen Sondheim.  This song premiered in the Broadway musical, West Side Story (1957) and was later reprised in the 1961 film.  The melody receives a delightfully spring-like interpretation by Sassy who sings the first chorus at midtempo, then picks up the pace for the second verse with a rocking groove and the rhythm section providing the sprightly support behind her.  She returns to the original tempo taking the trio through the reprise into a sudden stop followed by the audience’s ovation.  Up next is the jazz standard Tenderly by Walter Gross and Jack Lawrence.  This ageless classic is presented at a slow tempo with Sassy displaying a deep and strong romantic affection for the lyrics through her voluptuously gorgeous vocals.  She even interjects her sense of humor on the word “breeze”.  Her three bandmates return the favor by matching the simplicity and exquisite softness with an intimate finesse preceding a lush climax.

Sassy’s Blues is a midtempo original by Sarah and Quincy Jones that the quartet has some fun with beginning with a cheerful introduction that’ll have the listener tapping their feet along to the contagious beat. She takes over for the opening chorus and song’s only statement utilizing her skills to maximum effect with a series of scat verses including maintaining a single note for twenty seconds. She ultimately achieves an easy-going, happy sound on both that’s performed impressively before the ensemble wraps it up.  Polka Dots and Moonbeams by Jimmy Van Heusen and Johnny Burke is one of jazz’s most recorded standards. Sassy first recorded this tune on her album Swingin’ Easy (1957).  The quartet begins at a very slow tempo, but her delivery is strikingly beautiful with each verse a remarkable commentary of warmth, intimacy, and elegance sustained by the delicate understructure of the rhythm section’s foundation.

The quartet closes with a speedy version of I Cried For You by Gus Arnheim, Abe Lyman, and Arthur Freed. This standard has been a favorite for jazz vocalists for years and is perfect for Sarah to sing one final outstanding number. Sassy lets loose every bit of her energy with a rendition I’m sure brought down the house judging by the audience’s reaction at the song’s finale. The Danish recording engineer and producer, Birger Svan was behind the dials with Quincy supervising the recording of each show. The sound quality of my copy is excellent revealing a smooth soundstage with sparkling highs, crisp midrange, and deep, tight bass. Sassy Swings The Tivoli is a marvelous live album showing Sarah in her prime with The Kirk Stuart Trio backing her beautifully. If you’re a fan of jazz vocals, I happily submit for your consideration, Sassy Swings The Tivoli by Sarah Vaughan. It’s a classic that’ll always be in style, and a must have for your library!

~ Birger Svan, Swingin’ Easy (EmArcy Jazz–Mercury MG-36109) – Source: Discogs.com
~ I Cried For You, Lover Man, Misty, Polka Dots, and Moonbeams, Sometimes I’m Happy, Tenderly, What Is This Thing Called Love? – Source: JazzStandards.com
~ I Feel Pretty, Won’t You Come Home Bill Bailey? – Source: Wikipedia.org
© 2021 by Edward Thomas Carter

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