La Davina
Sarah Vaughan encapsulated all that's great in humanity...
Due to time constraints, we’ve got ourselves a re-post. I love her…
Generally speaking, I prefer female singers. I often find myself admiring a woman’s bravery, as she stands at the mic, prior to commencement. I don’t know what that’s about but no doubt I’ll be chastised for it. I mentioned it to my wife, who responded that men were often more entitled. Actually, she described us as “Entitled wankers” and, she may have a point. Anyway, let’s move on. Years ago, my son and I used to watch American Idol and one season there was a contestant we liked, named Haley Reinhart. Unfortunately, it seemed we were the only ones who did like her as, during the second week, for the second time, Haley found herself struggling for survival. If you’re unfamiliar with the format, those facing elimination have a sing-off against the other contestant with the least votes. I think the judges get to decide who stays. Either way, Haley sang “Bennie & the Jets”. About a minute in, my son and I were cheering like lunatics, that girl came out fighting and man, she blew the roof off. Being a sap, I was close to tears (subtext - I was crying). I’ve watched Idol for years and that’s the only performance I’ve any recollection of. On writing this I Googled Haley and she’s still touring. Good on her.
Years back I bunked into the Archway Odeon with my mate Dino to watch ‘The Life and Time of Judge Roy Bean, starring Paul Newman, it came out in ’72. I loved Westerns and liked Paul Newman. It features Roy Bean, a brutal man who makes the law up as he goes along. The only thing Roy has any regard for, other than himself, is the singer Lilly Langtree, he idolises her. The film is a (violent) comedy and Roy’s love for Lilly, one of its comedic strands. I mean, a man besotted by a woman he’s never even met, is patently hilarious, right? Wrong. It happened to me during a common or garden YouTube scroll, about ten years back. I’ve forgotten what I was looking at/for and in truth, had probably veered off track half an hour earlier. It was then that I noticed, amongst the further timewasting options, a black-and-white image of a singer on the right-hand side of the screen. Beside it, the caption “Sarah Vaughan ‘Misty’ Live in Stockholm 1964 (also titled Live from Sweden).” I click and the first thing that strikes- like lightning, is Vaughan’s beauty. An attribute that’s “in the eye of the beholder” and in mine, Sarah was stunning. Anyway, as Ms Vaughan chats to the audience, a modest, respectful character emerges. The lady oozes class but she oozes something else - supreme confidence. As she sang “Look at Me” … It seemed that Ms Vaughan had put a move on my heart. I was hooked. I’d never been so mesmerised by a voice. Like many a fanatic, I soon began to feel aggrieved that more (all) people weren’t worshipping at the altar of Sarah Vaughan and began arguing the toss with anyone who’d not acknowledge her brilliance. I needed information to back up my argument and started trying to understand music - you know, technically but that was like learning a second language and, let’s face it, I’m still struggling with my first.
Misty
No. I’m simply a ‘fanboy’ and perfectly happy as such. I’ve watched that concert countless times and while it’s impossible to name my favourite song, I can tell you my favourite moment. That comes, five minutes, forty-six seconds into “The More I See You”. At 5.46, on the line “Can you imagine…” she winks and I… melt. They don’t call her ‘Sassy’ for nothing.
The More I See You
Another name bestowed was ‘La Davina’. The Divine One. So evidently, I’m not alone in my adoration of Ms Vaughan. While I’m no expert on her, I suspect Stockholm 64 captures La Davina at, or near, the zenith of her vocal prowess and, for my part, as close to perfection as any (non-operatic) singer’s ever been. Yeah, said it, meant it. Again, I’m far from alone in my evaluation. Francis Albert Sinatra, not one known for being overly gracious about other vocalists, once remarked “Sassy is so good now that when I listen to her, I want to cut my wrists with a dull razor.” Sarah Vaughan had a three-octave range but I don’t know what it means. I know though, that her voice never ceases to surprise and delight me. Travelling back from work, in Hackney. I’ll be on either the 38 or 55 and both, are Lunatic Asylums on wheels and when things get particularly chaotic, I’ll put Vaughan on the headphones and, moments later, I’m swimming in serenity. A lot of music can do that, but no other artists do so, for me, purely on the strength of their voice and you know, on practically every song they sing. There’s a natural tendency, to pit La Divina against Lady Ella and, in terms of success, Ella’s the winner but in terms of talent? That folks, is a pick’em. I love Ella Fitzgerald’s voice. I love Ella. My preference ultimately, however, is for Sarah. Moreover, if people are compelled to make comparisons, those comparisons ought to be between Vaughan and Maria Callas but I’m only a fan. Below, another example of why…
They All Laughed
If there’s a single album I cherish above all others it’s Marvin’s ‘What’s Going On’ and as a general rule, bitterly resent other artists recording tracks from it. La Davina, of course, is exempt. Her interpretation of Mr Gaye’s masterpiece is absolutely, sublime.
Over the years I’ve slowed down on trying to force the world into accepting La Davina as the one true voice as it’s all down to personal opinion and naturally, everybody’s got one. That said, Sarah Vaughan is the greatest singer that ever lived… Ha!