At Mister Kelly's

Well, I'm a fan of Sarah Vaughan, but not of live albums. She is possibly my favourite vocalist of the big band era, so I gave this an honest chance. It's pretty cool. But I'd still rather listen to her studio recordings. I don't get anything from the MC introducing, or the crowd coughing, or Sarah and the band messing up one of the tracks. On the closing track, "How High the Moon", she sings (without breaking her stride) "Ella Fitzgerald does this song real crazy", then does a kind of impression of Ella's scat singing. Now there's something cool that you wouldn't hear in the studio I guess. Her voice sounds great as always, and the original concise selection of 9 tracks is strong. (All the reissues more than double this number. Will we ever get away from the early CD era mentality of "cram as much bonus stuff on the disc as possible"?) Overall, this is probably a 3.5 from me, but I will round it up to 4 given that none of Sarah's studio material seems to appear in the 1001 list (which by the way is a fucking travesty given how many redundant picks of post-1960 white male rock music they managed to fit in).

This album is like the smoothest cup of coffee and the warmest blanket on the coldest day.

“At Mister Kelly’s” by Sarah Vaughan (1957) As live albums go, this one’s not bad, and of course jazz vocalist Sarah Vaughan is stellar. A somewhat haphazard collection of great songs by great songwriters is exquisitely performed by Vaughan, backed by understated piano, soulful double bass and beautifully restrained drums (although one of the backing guys occasionally and annoyingly hums throughout). The recording quality and the mix are better than one might expect. And the audience at Chicago’s Mr. Kelly’s is well behaved (they were warned that they were being taped). Under-rehearsed and nicely improvisational, these songs engage the listener, who can’t help but to ‘lean in’ to the synthesis between the composition and the performance. It captures an essential element of jazz. Sarah Vaughan’s voice is great. Her stylings are fresh and her tonal quality is superb. She hits impossible intervals with precision and apparent ease. In her diction, there’s a slight but persistent lisp (listen to end of the word “stars” on “Stairway to the Stars”) but hey, this ain’t the Met. Major flubs (in “Willow Weep for Me” and “How High the Moon”) are pulled off with humor and panache. She sings, “according to that [the lyrics sheet] I’m through, but they’re still playin’, so I’ll keep on singin’”. I laughed out loud; so did the audience and so will you. It completely blew the melancholy mood of the song (“Willow Weep for Me”), but what are you gonna do when you’ve already bumped a mic stand, the audience is staring nervously at you and the tape machine is rolling? This album is an artifact of a fine piece of entertainment that makes me wish I’d been there. 3/5

This is unbelievably good.

Amazing voice. A gig I'd have liked to have been at, sat at a table with an Old Fashioned and pack of cigarettes.

Loved practically everything about this. The old-timey recording nature of this live performance (I imagine in a smallish lounge at Mister Kelly's) gives this such an intimate feel. Moments like the man introducing Sarah Vaughan and cracking a joke about all the attendees being "Mercury recording artists," the artist joking about messing up a song and the crowd laughing around her, and the small talk and glasses clinking in the background really make you feel like you're a part of the performance. I typically enjoy instrumental jazz more, but she's got a great voice that really captivated me for the entire album Saved: September In The Rain, Be Anything But Darling Be Mine

How many more times am I going to have to listen to “Just a Gigolo” because of this list? I’m at two currently, which isn’t a lot, but it’s weird that it’s happened more than once.

Really loved her rendition of “Just One of Those Things” and “Honeysuckle Rose.” “How High the Moon” was also great. She felt really playful and that made it all the more entertaining. It’s great when jazz singers don’t take themselves so seriously. Mister Kelly’s always has great acts. Maybe the venue brings out the best in performers. Anita O’Day released her Mister Kelly’s the following year I believe, in 1958, and that’s also quite an experience. Again, very loose and fun show to listen to. Great interaction between band members. Hopefully there’s some Anita on this list… This was a great listen regardless

First off, the improvised humor during the second song (Willow Weep For Me) and throughout the last song (How High The Moon) put a smile on my face. It was enjoyable to hear an artist just rolling with it in a live performance. And honestly, if you weren't paying close attention, I think it would just roll by you as a listener as well. It's a testament to how clean, tight and yet how fluid Sarah Vaughan and the Trio are across this album. Everything about this album felt in perfect balance, which I find especially remarkable given it's a recording of a live performance. Sarah's vocals are an enchanting blend of smooth, pitch perfect and with a touch of smokey rasp. She carries every tune perfectly and doesn't overly-adorn, preferring instead to be straight to the point. And sitting just below the canopy of the vocals is the remarkably stout trunk that is the backing trio. Their performance was equaly clear, concise and beautiful. All told, it's a lovely album, made more special by the candor and simplicity that comes from the stripped down production of recording a live performance.

It's rare that a Live album should be considered a must listen, this is one of them. There is something about early Jazz and the American Songbook that only improves when performed live in a small club. Sarah Vaughn is one of the top females singers from this era, sometimes overshadowed by Ella Fitzgerald and Billie Holiday, her voice remained at it's peak throughout her career and didn't suffer the fallbacks that the others did. Good solid performance. 4/5.

This album takes you back to a time when lounge singers and dinner clubs were an actual option. Vaughan's voice rises and swoons as she weaves a spell capturing the magic of an era.

What a stunning voice, and what a beautifully ambient album. I'm not familiar with vocal jazz in general, and this makes me want to explore the genre more. My top pick is 'Willow Weep for Me', both for the lovely melancholic sound and the interaction with the crowd.

A beautiful intimate performance. Sympathetic accompaniment, tasteful playing and a great batch of songs. Sarah's voice is impeccable, rhe arrangements are perfect and her delivery; relaxed inimate and rhythmicly they swing. Don't often understand the rhyme or reason behind some of the non-rock choices but for this one I'm grateful that I was able to discover this amazing album 5 🌟

This is a live album featuring Sarah Vaughan and her trio recorded at the legendary Chicago jazz club Mister Kelly's on Rush St in 1957. Sarah Vaughan also known as "Sassy" and "The Divine One" was a decorated (Grammy's, jazz awards) jazz vocalist starting in the 1940's with a great, tremendous voice. Her trio consisted of Jimmy Jones-piano, Richard Davis-double bass and Roy Haynes-drums. The songs have Sarah covering jazz and musical standards from the 20's, 30's, 40's and 50's. This is a pretty laid back affair: Sarah's voice dominates with a softer jazz backing band. The man who introduces the concert tells the audience she will be singing from lyric sheets. And, in a few songs she flat out says she doesn't know the lyrics. One of those songs, "How High the Moon", is one of my favorite on the album as she says it's an Ella Fitzgerald song, doesn't know the lyrics and starts improvising. It was fantastic. Other song highlights included "Stairway to the Star" - Incredible vocal ending, "Lucky in Love" and "Poor Butterfly." I'd imagine this would hit the spot on a Sunday afternoon while reading a book or doing something. Honestly, at 113 minutes, it was rather long. If your into more relaxing jazz music with an incredible vocalist, this is your album. I appreciated it for that.

Exquisite voice and accomplished confident performer. I usually choose to listen to Ella for this type of jazz, but Sarah Vaughan's voice is so smooth. Great piano playing (drums and bass are so good you don't notice them). Lovely recording.

Sweet voice and nice toned down show. Not the most exciting thing in the world, but there was an intimacy to it I found very valuable.

Historically I'm not a jazz fan but this singer has a magnificent voice. "How High the Moon" includes her scatting (live) and it's like watching a gymnast execute a perfect routine.

I had never heard of Sarah Vaughan before this. As soon as I heard her voice, I opened up Wikipedia and started reading up on her; evidently she was very important back in her day. Her voice sounds so inviting, and her vibrato is incredible. It's so warm and enticing that it makes one feel like they're in the room with her as she's singing. I'll definitely have to look into her other work at some point. Favorites: September in the Rain, Just One of those Things

No idea who this is, which doesn't bode well. And it appears to be a live album, so it's got that going for it too. If I vote it higher than 2 on general principle, it's going to be an amazing record. OK, so I've listened to it and it's a 4 star. Her voice is nothing short of amazing. The band are well mic'd and tighter than a gnat's twat. Obviously if this were studio recorded it'd be five stars, but there we go...

I love how relaxed the atmosphere is on the album. It is like Sarah Vaughan is putting on a show just for you. Such an intimate live album as opposed to the at times bombastic stadium fillers. I need to listen to Sarah Vaughan some more.

Super smooth. Sarah Vaughan is up there in my favourite jazz vocalists, and I think this is the album of hers that I have most enjoyed. Stripped of her usual highly orchestrated, string-heavy arrangements to a bare trio backing, intimately recorded, you get to hear her beautiful tone and phrasing without distraction. There is a touch more breathiness and slight husk in the quieter moments that sounds close and real. Her ability to deliver a real emotional content is wonderful. Probably my favourite Sarah Vaughan record, and I will probably pick a copy up when I see one around. Love the versions of Just a Gigolo and How High the Moon that close out this album.

Sarah Vaughan has a gorgeous voice and a great sense of humor! Even when she forgot the lyrics to a song, she made it work and elicited laughter from her audience. What a captivating musician. This live album captures her in sound. Excellent listening.

This is a classy specimen of music that I will enjoy in a bar, but will never take home with me. The off-the-peg nature of the songs plays on my mind, though I know good artists make others’ work their own. The drumming is softly exquisite.

A great voice and I love the personality that comes along with a live recording. Sounds like something that would be playing during a candlelit dinner in a romance movie (3.5/5)

Solid jazz. Live venue helps and is done nicely!

This is certainly a 1957 live album by American jazz singer Sarah Vaughan, recorded at Mister Kelly's jazz club in Chicago.

Great album, what a voice!

3 stars pleasant enough, not my bag tho

There are stereotypes out there about jazz, that it takes itself too seriously, or people who listen to jazz are snooty, or better-than. Or some think jazz is inaccessible. Anyone who thinks that should definitely listen to this album. Sarah Vaughan stays cool, calm, and makes the crowd laugh as she effortlessly flows through this set. The band, the audience, and her have a sense of community as they experience the music together. Vocal jazz is not my thing personally, I like jazz without vocals, but I really enjoyed listening to this legendary vocalist. The recording is so intimate you can hear audience members whispering to each other, and I really felt like I was in the room. I found it easy to listen to, and I have a much better understanding of Sarah Vaughan now.

No. 92/1001 September In The Rain 3/5 Willow Weep For Me 3/5 Just One Of Those Things 4/5 Be Anything But Darling Be Me 3/5 Thou Swell 3/5 Stairway To The Stars 3/5 Honeysuckle Rose 3/5 Just A Gigolo 2/5 How High The Moon 2/5 Average: 2,89 I didn't really like what she was doing with her voice that much. And that's the whole pull for this record.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XcEKtVZ0XX4&t=3 this is all i could picture listening to this album.

Sounds like bad karaoke night at the jazz lounge. I like the lounge vibe, but these tracks are all about the vocals, and she’s not a good vocalist. Her range is limited, her style is abrupt rather than sultry, she has a weird cadence, and she seems to be searching for her notes. Not sure how this makes the list or why it’s special. Hard pass in a genre I normally enjoy.

another great live album. great band, sarah sounds amazing, really chill vibes.

This is a fantastic recording, it sounds like she's here in the room with us! Her voice is incredible, even though the lyrics don't have much substance. It sounds like she put on a great show too, with some funny ad-libs. Glad to finally put a familiar name in context, I've heard of Sarah Vaughan all my life but never really listened to her.

One of the greatest voices in jazz, accompanied in a tasteful, low-key, style by an excellent piano trio. This was a wonderful live recording of the album, which transported me to the actual jazz club in Chicago. The improv moments toward the end of Willow Weep for Me and the nod to Ella Fitzgerald in the final song were quite amusing. It was also nice to hear another interpretation of Thou Swell, which I only knew in Betty Carter's fast version (and which, to be fair, I still prefer).

30. De certa forma, todos nós fomos hoje, entre o fumo e os chapéus de coco, artistas registados da Mercury Recordings. MotA: Willow Weep For Me "The leaves of brown came tumbling down"

I don't really gravitate toward vocal jazz all that much outside of Nina Simone. I can appreciate it (and do!), but I don't seek it out too often save for specific settings or company. I don't know that I've ever listened to more than the odd song here and there from Sarah Vaughan before this but this was quite a delight. Her rapport with the audience, in particular, is a treat; it feels very casual while also feeling like a formal show - a perfect atmosphere for something like this. And her voice is top notch - it's obviously no mistake that she's considered one of the greats.

started smiling as soon as she started singing, insane this album is making me realize just how many of these albums so far feature incredibly middling vocals by random white guys

Fantastic jazz pop. The couple of moments where Vaughn makes a mistake only humanize her and add to the live experience.

LO AME

Excellent album. Great peak jazz. 5/5

Such a great intro to the live performance in the beginning of the album. Amazing singer and sometimes a bit forgotten amongst other great names of the same era, like Billie Holiday. Highly recommended.

Oh man, I love live jazz albums. I admit to having a bias on this front. I just REALLY love the silkiness in jazz singers' voices. It's interesting, one of my other favorite albums on this list--Sam Cooke--I enjoyed just as much, but they are SO different. Instead of being energizing, this album is calming and mellow. And Sarah Vaughan is VERY funny, in a natural, effortless way. Classic jazz attitude, I love her energy. Fave track: Willow Weep for Me. Extra points for the funny crowd interactions. She's like a damn comedian dealing with a heckler.

Microphone stands falling over, forgotten lyrics, and a band who just won't end the song make out what might be the most live album ever. This is my first time listening to Sarah Vaughan, having only learned her name via a name drop in a Father John Misty track. What a voice and what a presence in each and every note. On 'Be Anything (But Be Mine)' it is as if you're transported to Chicago in 1957 with Vaughan singing directly at you and only for you. Vaughan is in complete symbiosis with her trio, and even when they disagree, as on 'Willow Weep For Me', the resulting improvisation is delightful. Jimmy Jones behind the keys especially delivers an incredible performance. And speaking of improvisation, breaking into 'How High The Moon' without knowing a single lyric is just phenomenal.

Loved it. She was a great artist

Sarah Vaughan has one of the most beautiful and versatile voices I have ever heard. This album is perfect down to the vocals, the accompaniment, and her natural humor. I absolutely adore this artist and this album.

That was quite enjoyable. I liked her voice, and I liked the smoothness of it. I mean, this is sort of where the idea of “smooth” jazz came from, right?

Hot take, good voice!

And just like that -click- I was a Sarah Vaughan fan.

Did listen. Loved.

Sarah's voice is so rich and beautiful. I was listening to the album right before bed, and it was the perfect soothing way to end a day. Most definitely 5/5 <3

Warm vocals over a smooth jazz trio. Playfulness and improvisation along side emotionally driven lyrics create a dynamic listening experience. Enjoyed leaving the crowd reactions in the album makes it feel more like the listener is present at the show.

Épico 😎👌

I was impressed.

This was delightful.

Wonderful. I was delighted.

Ya like jazz? I like jazz.

Very nice!

One of the best “fly on the wall” live albums I’ve ever heard. The perfect mix of clean and professional with loose and intimate. Sarah has an amazing voice and the band sounds great. Also huge shoutout to the recording team for making a live 1957 recording sound better than a lot of studio albums 10 years later.

Jazzy as fuck 10/10

Sublime. 5 / 5 stars.

Loved the piano. She’s got a great voice and she’s funny too. 9/10

Beautiful. And it has that crackle you love to hear from records of that era

Gorgeous classic jazz, the fact that it’s live really adds to the charm

Stunning

Fantastic

I'm stoked to get a live album from the 1950's on here. Piano and a sweet voice, with a great drummer backing up and idk what else. The theme or intention of the singer hit hard at the End. Idk hard to not feel the artist wanting to get the people to see the black struggle and fucking back off. I don't know enough to comment further. This is the kinda music I'd like to be in the room for, the stuff I live to hear. Appreciated this one.

Beautiful live album. You really feel like you are in the club listening to it.

BEAUTIFUL VOICE!! i absolutely love this album its very jazzy and nice, and pleasing to the ear.

September In The Rain- 8 Willow Weep For Me- 9 Just One Of Those Things- 8 Be Anything But Darling Be Mine- 9 Thou Swell- 8 Stairway To The Stars- 8 Honeysuckle Rose- 9 Just a Gigolo- 7 How High The Moon- 10 (kinda funny)

New one for me, though I think I recognise Willow Weep For Me. Really enjoyable and, like The Who's Live at Leeds, the live album gets across how much fun Vaughan is having. Incredible voice. Will play again. I must check whether she is touring the UK any time soon...

Sarah's voice and vocal control are lovely on this. And the instrumentation / arrangements on the tracks are excellent.

Mister Kelly’s was the club in Chicago to perform or watch . Sarah’s rendition of Stairway to the Stars is tremendous.

Voce meravigliosa e performance strordinaria.

holy shit sarah sounds great! Sarah Vaugn makes each song leap to life and is just so effortlessly musical. That and so playful with her skat and call outs to various artists and flubs.

Usually not a fan of live albums but on this one the ambient noise only adds to the experience.

I’m in love

incredible. iconic. gorgeous

"I don't know the words of this song but I'm going to sing it anyway"

Amazing voice! Can't believe I hadn't heard of her before.

great album the vocals sound a little weird at times but the jazz is just awesome 9/10

Incredible. Absolutely loved it.

Amazing.

Awesome

Wonderful

The chillest way to start the day. Beautiful.

Fantastic. The live spirit of the record shines through.

Nice jazz

Why is every album from the 50s so good!? This has a despicably good vibe holy shit. 5

Wow, you gonna need a whisky and a cigar!!

Amazing.

not mine

Fab voice, absolutley fantastic

Wow. What a special live performance. Loved it.

God I need a cigarette

Wow...yesterday Ella Fitzgerald appears in my rotation and today I get Sarah Vaughan? I don't know what I did to deserve such royal treatment, but I'll take it. Ms. Vaughan's voice makes me cry in the best possible way. PS - I'm cracking up as she sings 'How High The Moon' and she has to improv because she doesn't know the words, and she's singing about how she doesn't know the words. Awesome.

1957 - Vocal Jazz

Lo que más me gustó de este disco es como te posiciona en un club chiquito en los 50’s. No hay nada mas que decir. Es jazz y es en vivo, no falla casi nunca.

wonderfull

Lovely live album. Especially funny if you listen to some of the lyrics that are just her singing that she doesn't know. Gives it a very intimate touch.