Sarah Vaughan is heard in a series of ballads that are often heard in a jazz setting, but the somewhat heavy-handed arrangements by Hal Mooney, Bob James (long before smooth jazz existed as a genre), and Bob Freedman lean more toward easy listening, with frequently stiff rhythm accompaniment and often overbearing strings. The singer's lovely voice, which is in great form, is full of the adventurous spirit, as is the sole improviser on the date, stretching the boundaries of ten strong compositions, including oldies like "Danny Boy" and "I'm Just Wild About Harry," to pop songs of the day such as the huge hit "Alfie." There are also several gems by songwriters who were still active at the time, including Alec Wilder's "Trouble Is a Man," as well as a trio of timeless standards by Harold Arlen. The sound on this 24-bit limited-edition CD reissue, which is available only until May 2005, is impeccable, with a perfect mix between the singer and the orchestra, so anyone who enjoys Sarah Vaughan's vocals should pick up this CD. - by Ken Dryden, AMG
Artist: Sarah Vaughan with Hal Mooney Orchestra
Album: It's a Man's World
Year: 1967
Label: Mercury (2002, Mini LP, digitally remastered)
Total time: 37:16
Tracks:
1. Alfie (Burt Bacharach/Hal David) 3:33
2. Man That Got Away (Harold Arlen, Ira Gershwin) 4:28
3. Trouble Is a Man (Alec Wilder) 3:43
4. Happines Is Just a Thing Called Joe (Harold Arlen/E.Y. "Yip" Harburg) 3:50
5. For Every Man There's a Woman (Harold Arlen, Leo Robin) 3:23
6. I Got a Man Crazy for Me (Neil Moret, Richard Whiting) 3:31
7. My Man (Mon Homme) (Jacques Charles, Channing Pollack, Albert Willemetz, Maurice Yvain) 3:52
8. I'm Just Wild About Harry (Eubie Blake, Noble Sissle) 2:39
9. Jim (Caesar Petrillo, Edward Ross, Nelson Shawn) 3:42
10. Danny Boy (Frederic E. Weatherly) 4:35
Personnel:
Sarah Vaughan (Vocals)
Freddie Hubbard (Trumpet)
Joe Newman (Trumpet)
Clark Terry (Trumpet)
Charlie Shavers (Trumpet)
J.J. Johnson (Trombone)
Kai Winding (Trombone)
Benny Golson (Reeds)
Phil Woods (Reeds)
Bob James (Piano)
Hal Mooney (Arranger)
Bob Freedman (Arranger)