Includes original liner notes by Lou Sidran & new liner notes by Will Friedwald.
An overview of the legendary singer's golden years with Mercury Records, GOLDEN HITS comprises mostly pop material. Backed by a string orchestra, some of these selections, such as "Broken Hearted Melody," even contain a tincture of early Motown. Pundits have argued that Vaughan's pop hits somehow degraded her; however, she infused artistry into any song or setting, and the highly arranged accompaniments and unique tunes she performed suited her attitude and technique, if not her potential.

Vaughan's jazzier side, as evidenced on her 1954 self-titled release with Clifford Brown, is understated on GOLDEN HITS (although her version of "Lullaby of Birdland" from that album is included here). Nonetheless, GOLDEN HITS highlights the singer's ability to coax deep meaning from a lyric. On "Tenderly" and "Misty," she croons with her characteristic supple and rounded tone, savoring every note along the way. GOLDEN HITS showcases Sarah Vaughan's wide range, perfectly controlled vibrato, and intuitive gift for lyrical irony.

All tracks have been digitally remastered.


  Temptation CD
  by Holly Cole
Our Price: $9.65 CD /$9.99 MP3
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On her third American album, Holly Cole turned in a set of Tom Waits songs recorded with an augmented version of her trio; in addition to piano and bass, there are drums and guitar, as well as the occasional contribution from The Canadian Brass and harmonica player Howard Levy. The result puts a welcome twist on the songs, which include numbers from each stage of Waits's career, and reasserts Cole's talent as an interpreter. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine

Recorded at Grant Avenue Studio, Hamilton, Ontario Canada and McClear Pathe, Toronto, Ontario Canada.

Canadian Brass: Ronald Romm, Frederic Mills (trumpet); David Ohanian (French horn); Eugene Watts (trombone); Charles Daellenbach (tuba).

The Holly Cole Trio: Holly Cole (vocals); Aaron Davis (piano); David Piltch (acoustic & electric basses, percussion).


  Quiet Nights CD
  by Diana Krall
Our Price: $13.69 CD / $10.89 MP3
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Diana Krall's first studio outing since she and husband Elvis Costello became the proud parents of twin boys, 2009's QUIET NIGHTS finds the jazz singer/pianist turning in a serene and pleasantly subdued set. Krall breezes through a few bossa nova standards, most notably "The Girl from Ipanema" (here gender-reversed to "The Boy...") and the title track (originally "Corcovado"), both penned by the legendary Antonio Carlos Jobim.

QUIET NIGHTS isn't solely a Brazilian-themed outing, however, as Krall also spends plenty of time in the comfortable realm of the Great American Songbook, offering up elegant orchestral renditions of "I've Grown Accustomed to His Face" and the Bacharach/David gem "Walk On By" that benefit from her supremely smoky vocals and graceful delivery.

Audio Remasterer: Doug Sax.


  Best Of Ella Firzgerald And Louis Armstrong On Verve CD
  by Louis Armstrong / Ella Fitzgerald
Our Price: $6.55 CD / $9.99 MP3
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Principally recorded at Capitol Studios, The Hollywood Bowl, Hollywood, California from August 15, 1956 - August 28, 1957. Includes liner notes by William Ruhlmann.

From August 1956 to August 1957, legendary jazz producer Norman Granz oversaw several recording sessions and a handful of concerts at the Hollywood Bowl starring two of the finest singers in jazz history, Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong. Fitzgerald was at the peak of her powers at the time, having clearly defined herself as the best female singer in jazz. Armstrong was comfortably settling into his Grand Old Man of Jazz role by this point, trading hot swing and fiery trumpet solos for genial, good-humored vocalizing.

Still, Armstrong was never one to back off from a challenge, and he holds his own divinely against the younger singer. Fitzgerald was Armstrong's only rival as a scat singer, and so nearly every track here dissolves into impressive competing scat solos. Fans of scat singing will rejoice.


  Jarreau CD
  by Al Jarreau
Our Price: $12.85 CD / $9.90 MP3
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Having broken through into the pop Top Ten albums with producer Jay Graydon and Breakin' Away, Jarreau had found his commercial groove, and it was potent enough to sustain him at least through the eponymously titled follow-up album. Again, strong, often self-co-composed material, and catchy, radio-friendly arrangements with lots of synthesizers would be the strong suit of this album, front-loaded by two large-scale R&B hits, the cheery "Mornin'" and the footstomping "Boogie Down," that would be part of his concert repertoire forever more ("Save Me" is also in their league).

The backing comes from a coterie of L.A. pros who kick in more energy than what one would normally expect; it must be the material that fired 'em up. In other words, this is a really good R&B album, almost a great one, with the one caveat being that Jarreau's unique vocal abilities aren't remotely challenged; this could conceivably have been cut by almost any skilled R&B singer. ~ Richard S. Ginell

Recorded at Garden Rake Studios, Studio City and Ocean Way Studios, Hollywood, California.


  The Chick Corea Songbook CD
  by Manhattan Transfer
Our Price: $13.49 CD
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Personnel: Yaron Gershovsky (vocals, piano, Fender Rhodes piano, keyboards, programming); John Benítez (vocals, electric bass); Janis Siegel (vocals); Don Shelton (whistling); Ramon Stagnaro (acoustic ... Full Descriptionguitar); Lou Marini (flute, alto flute); Steve Tavaglione (soprano saxophone, EWI); Ronnie Cuber (baritone saxophone); Robert Rodriguez , Mike Panella (trumpet); Conrad Herwig (trombone); Fred Hersch, Edsel Gomez (piano); Scott Kinsey (keyboards); Bais Haus (synthesizer, drum programming); Joe Passaro (marimba); Gary Wicks (acoustic bass, electric bass, fretless bass); Christian McBride, John Herbert (acoustic bass); Jimmy Earl (electric bass); Gary Novak, Steve Hass, Vince Cherico, Billy Drummond (drums); Luis Quintero (congas, timbales, percussion); Airto, Alex Acuña (percussion); Scott Gilmore, Janet Vrudney, Jack Bryant (hand bells).

  Bottom Line Encore Collection CD
  by Kenny Rankin
Our Price: $10.19 CD / $10.89 MP3
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Recorded live at The Bottom Line, New York, New York in 1990.
Recorded during a 1990 concert at New York's Bottom Line, this album embodies all the ingredients that make Rankin such a great talent. In an age when many artists were successful more for their ability to look sexy or menacing while lip-synching in videos, Rankin brought a host of skills to the musical table. His lush voice, with its lilting purity, range, and scat improvisational abilities, is matched by supple acoustic guitar work and a perfect combination of self-penned songs and carefully chosen covers. The album comprises a thoughtful balance of Rankin's signature songs ("Haven't We Met," "Peaceful"), various pop standards ("Always," "Because of You"), contemporary covers ("She's a Lady"), and five Beatles favorites. With just a guitar, Rankin can entertain an audience for one evening better than most, and this collection proves it. ~ Steve Matteo

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