Sarah Vaughan The Divine One: A Centenary Tribute: Her 50 Finest 1944-1962 (CD) Album

To celebrate the centenary of the divine Sarah Vaughan (1924-1990) here is the best double-CD survey available of her career during her golden heyday, displaying the full range of her phenomenal artistry in both jazz and popular settings. "The Divine One" (as she was known) was quite simply one of the great vocalists o f the last century. As a jazz singer of the post-war era, Ella Fitzgerald was her only rival, yet she achieved even greater success when she breathed life into romantic ballads. With her wide vocal range, precise timing, perfect pitch, command of colour, effortless swing and ability to interpret a lyric she was indeed a phenomenon. Retrospective's tribute presents 50 of the classic recordings Sarah Vaughan made between 1944 and 1962. Her greatest popular successes are here of course, including notable duets with Billy Eckstine (Passing Strangers), her exquisite Serenata and the million-selling Broken-Hearted Melody. Here was a truly divine voice - let's celebrate it.