SARAH VAUGHAN ~ "SEND IN THE CLOWNS"

DON'T SEND IN THE CLOWNS QUITE YET - SASSY SARAH PROVES WHY SHE WAS THE DIVINE ONE!, June 9, 2006

Jazz "purists" will not be particularly fond of this album, though true followers of The Divine One will find it interesting, if nothing more to hear her voice in these contemporary settings. Like her "Songs of the Beatles" record, Sarah is decidedly more pop on these numbers and, yes, even verging on disco(!) on a few numbers. Her voice as an interpretive instrument is in full force though, even when then selections are questionable or lacking in integrity. She goes through the title song, winningly, as she has many many times before. This version, though is a little on the short side. "Love Don't Live Here Anymore" is a pleasant but sad tale of a relationship gone wrong. Sassy conveys the drama knowingly . . .

"That'll Be Johnny" is delightfully rhythmic and Vaughan does not lose it, though the tune is a bit different from alot that she has done through the years. "Right In The Next Room" and "I Need You More (Than Ever Now)" are mid-tempo fare that have a bit of the dancefloor in them, while "On Thinking It Over" is quietly pretty, moving . . .

"Do Away With April" is clever, poking fun at all those old songs about the month where so many fall in love, at least according to the poets of the day. Most interesting is the fact that Vaughan had sung many of the April songs herself! "Frasier (The Sensuous Lion)" is a novelty song, if ever Vaughan has sung one. Yes, it is a song about a lion(!!!) and the singer's sense of humour and unique gift for timing is in full display throughout. One just wonders, though, why was Vaughan given this song to sing in this context? It would have been more at home at say, "Circus of the Stars".

Sarah could sing anything for sure, and here she does. At best this album will make you smile.