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

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

This is unbelievably good.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 🌟

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

Great album, what a voice!

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)

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.

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

Solid jazz. Live venue helps and is done nicely!

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.

3 stars pleasant enough, not my bag tho

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.

Sarah Vaughan is hands down my favorite vocalist of all time, her perfect pitch and simpatia on stage enchant me to the very core, I get lost in her every time. I listened through this one I think 5 or 6 times, glorious, beautiful, perfect. I LOVE her!!!!!!!

Wow! Her voice is surreal. It’s perfect. I loved her humor, warmth and the cherry on top was the scat vocals. Love it.

There is a unique category of albums that really transport you to the exact time and space where the album was recorded. You just feel like your there - in the room. Being live has an added advantage but that is not always enough. Its the recording itself, the arrangements. And of course - the singer. This one checks all the boxes.

What an extraordinary talent. A voice - accompanied by only a piano- has oh so rarely sounded this good.

Wow totally unexpected, absolutely brilliant. This is classic jazz at it’s height

Cool

Nice 👍 I love jazz

yes

Love this

Classy music to make me feel all classy

What. A. Voice. I loved this and played it twice while driving today

Sounds like autumn

A voice like syrup. Sublime and faultless. Even the 2 star review recognise this? I can understand how some don't like Live albums or Jazz but I feel this transcends all these labels. It's more lie a historical document- outside of the norms of 'albums' but I'm glad they chose to record this for posterity.

incrível como os anos passam e eu continuo achando a voz da sarah vaughan uma das coisas mais incríveis do mundo junto das anfetaminas, a vaughan foi minha grande companheira escrevendo trabalho de faculdade pelas madrugadas pra mim, esse álbum é tipo um dos melhores momentos dela

I liked this. It was cozy and loose in all the best ways. I love the crowd. I love the songs. This was just great.

Sarah Vaughan was among jazz and bop's greatest voices. She had a long, prolific career, and "At Mister Kelly's" was her eighth album - but some don't include this in her discography, as this is an "and Her Trio" work. This is a live album at the famous Chicago club, Mister Kelly's. The recording is incredible for a 1957 live recording. For most of the album, you may think this is recorded in the studio. A microphone bump, and a bit of laughter following in "Willow Weep for Me" will remind you that this is indeed a live recording. Sarah Vaughan has an incredible voice. An instrument with considerable range. Her dynamic expression makes her performances fully engaging. As a live performance, this work is all the more impressive. She was a relaxed and confident performer, and this album captures her abilities early in her career.

Classic

Absolutely wonderful vocals!

I really enjoyed this, we tend to see antiquated art as some more serious than the things we make today, so hearing Sarah Vaughan make mistakes and get a little silly with it was refreshing. And, of course, beautiful voice great band. Class.

Fantastic vocal performance over subtle jazz.

67 years later and still amazing. I really liked that they included the out-takes. Her voice is amazing and I loved listening to this. I torn between a 4 and 5 for this album. Thinking back on this after listening I'll go with a 5

Sarah Vaughan's voice. Ridiculous rhythm section. Live Jazz. As if to make sure everyone knows it's live, in "Willow Weep for Me" something falls close to a mic, some people close to the mics laugh, her lyric sheet runs out of lyrics before the rhythm section is done, so she improvises some lyrics about how she messed up the song. And then jokes, "that's probably the one they'll use." Sarah Vaughan is relaxed and in terrific voice. Given the musicians, the floor started at 4 stars for this one. It's an enthusiastic 5 stars.

Wunderschöne Musik und wunderschöner Gesang. Da stimmt die Qualität zu 100%.

When I hear Sarah Vaughan's voice, I hear joy. This live recording is so raw. Flaws are left in, but they give this recoding a more human feel. Having said that, the recording quality is excellent for it's time. Liked Songs Added:: - Willow Weep For Me - Just A Gigolo - How High The Moon

Great album!

What a difference a great singer makes! Great vocals are essential IMO for anything other than instrumental. Her voice is epic and I was amazed at how seamlessly she improvised the lyrics to the last song. Too bad it was a short album.

Amazing. Timeless, though, of course, having in mind and listening to the noise in the background, it almost gives a nostalgic sense to the music, and even more when, back then, it was a means for black people to represent their culture, when not a lot of white people have a shit about jazz.

Wonderful calm and itimate Jazz Album!

Absolutely superb - the divine Sarah!

Great stuff, good songs, perfect arrangements, Sarah Vaughan's voice is flawless, and the fun little "bloopers" throughout really tie it up with a bow.

Some albums are boring, some are just azz; this album is neither, this album is cash

Stunning voice

Lovely album. One of those perfect live recordings - fantastic! I really like the entire album, vocal, instrument and all around sound :)

I absolutely adore Sarah Vaughan. This is just beautiful stuff. If you don't like it, there's no hope for your eternal soul.

Lovely lovely voice :)

Ya like jazz?

I really liked this. Never listened to Sarah Vaughn before. This is the kind of album I was hoping to find on this list.

I listen to Vaughan all the time on KCCK, but have never listened to a complete album. Maybe the best live, vocal jazz album ever. Seriously!!

What a lovely voice. This album is so much fun and relaxing. I was in the perfect mood for this. Sarah Vaughan got some of the best pipes I've ever heard yet I rarely hear her name mention in the world of great vocalists

This was great - the final song cemented the 5 🌟 rating.

You can hear the charisma through the microphone. I adored everything about this

Very good! The candid recording about her never singing some of the songs is giving. Almost like being at Mr. Kelly's.

Utterly lovely

Smooth like a finely aged bourbon.

Absolutely amazing, felt as I was there

If you can’t enjoy this, there is no hope for you. You don’t have to love it, but by all that is good, you should be able to enjoy the beauty in that voice. I’m gonna listen to it again now.

Real strong vibe, enjoyed it thoroughly and the live aspect only enhanced it

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

Enjoyable I feel like hosting a cocktail party now LOL

Goddamn, I loved this one.

Absolutely stunning. Wasn't sure what to expect but this left me awestruck, tight three piece drum, piano and bass jazz band and Sarah has the range, good lord does she have the range.

I love the album cover. I love live albums. I haven't heard of Sarah Vaughan before, but I'm loving this record after the first few songs. These old live albums makes me reflect on how amazing it is to listen to these moments in time so many years later. This is an intimate record made in a legendary club, attended by people who are more than likely all dead, and I get to be there too. That's pretty cool. Her personality comes through in a big way in Willow Weep for Me. I love funny crowd interactions. I loved the whole album. Very relaxing with some nice crowd moments. 9/10

This one has such an intense sense of place. I didn’t just listen to this, I felt it. Absolutely demands to be listened to at night.

5/5

a beautiful classic jazz album and live performance. sarah's soulful and resonant voice paired with her bubbly personality keeps the audience, me included interested in her act all the way through. this was recorded in the 1950s but the quality is absolutely phenomenal for this time; makes you feel like you're there.

Beautiful musicianship, while extraordinarily down to earth. This amazing little album brings you into a true live experience, which contains as much charming personality as wonderful music.

Maybe someone with a better ear than mine can tell if Sarah misses a note in this live set, but I don’t hear one. If she did, it still sounded amazing. I haven’t heard this before but I was mesmerized.

Wonderful. The live nature of the album just adds so much warmth and humor to the album. Plus Sarah Vaughns vocals are like velvet caressing my ears

so sick

It is cool to listen to a live album from 70 years ago. Sarah Vaughan is very solid, but not my go to listening.

5/5 I liked it

BEAUTIFUL, SHE IS SUCH A GREAT SINGER

If I had to describe this album in one word: charming. Sarah Vaughn has an incredibly soothing and calming voice, that's also very subtley powerful and welcoming all at once. The laughter at minor mistakes during the show really makes the album feel authentic, like you're really there listening to the performance. Top tracks: Willow Weep For Me, How High the Moon, Dream

I could listen to her forever.

This is fucking phenomenal.

This is the kind of album where everything just feels effortless. The musicians on stage, Vaughan just being cool and belting out insane notes, the intimacy of a small club with an accepting and collected crowd, even down to the MC introduction. It all just feels like a group of friends performing for one another because they're really fucking good and there's nothing better to do. But there's SO MUCH talent crammed onto the stage here. This is really a masterclass in musicianship that just so happens to be in disguise as a lighthearted, playful live album.

I’ve listened to a lot of live albums, and this just might be the one that most makes me feel like part of the crowd.

Oh hells yes! How lucky are we to live on the same planet as Sarah Vaughan’s recordings. The singer’s singer. Her voice is impossibly flawless. Her entire catalog could be on this list. Not enough stars available.