Sarah Vaughan had the most incredible phrasing and range of any singer of her generation. Listening to her early recordings, the ones she did for small labels in the mid-1940's are really a wonderful introduction to the artist, at least for me. From 1946 to 1949 she recorded a number of sides for the Musicraft label with a veritable who's who of Jazz greats accompanying her.

This track, the pop standard I Cover The Waterfront, is given the Sarah Vaughan treatment that turns a well worn song into a unique experience. It was recorded on October 10, 1947 and features the Ted Dale Orchestra backing her up. 1947 was also the year Downbeat Magazine voted her most popular Female vocalist.

She's been gone for a while and I imagine there are people who have never heard her or are certainly not familiar with her early material.

In any event, here's a good introduction to a legend - or a nice reminder of one.