Vaughan Takes It Easy, With Style
Swingin' Easy finds Vaughan in her element: relaxed, confident, and in complete command.
By 1957, Sarah Vaughan had already proven herself one of the finest jazz singers around. Swingin' Easy sits comfortably in her discography as a solid, no-nonsense session that does exactly what the title promises. This isn't a concept album or a desperate bid for something new. It's Vaughan doing what she'd been doing well for years — interpreting standards with her distinctive contralto voice, working with capable musicians, and delivering straightforward, swinging jazz.
What makes this record worth your time is its unpretentiousness. These are straightforward readings of familiar material, but Vaughan brings enough personality and control to make them sing. Her voice sits perfectly in the mix, never fighting for space, never overselling the emotion. The band behind her knows the assignment and executes cleanly. There's no pretense here, no overreaching for depth that isn't there. It's the sound of a working jazz singer in her prime, comfortable in her own skin, making music that holds up because it was built on solid fundamentals rather than novelty.
If you're exploring Vaughan's catalog, this isn't the obvious starting point — you'd be better served beginning with something that captures her range and innovation more dramatically. But if you already appreciate her voice and her approach to standards, Swingin' Easy offers exactly what it advertises: warm, professionally executed swing with no awkward moments. It's the kind of album that disappears into the background pleasantly on a Friday night, or comes into focus entirely when you actually pay attention. Neither filler nor statement piece, it simply works.
Who's playing
Where next?
More by Sarah Vaughan
All 12 albums →
The musicians on this record
Their own records, close in time
