Sarah Vaughan and Billy Eckstine Sing the Best of Irving Berlin (Remastered 2015)

by Stephen CookSarah Vaughan's heavenly vocalizing and Billy Eckstine's velvety deep tone proved an ideal match during the late '40s and throughout the '50s. This 1957 Irving Berlin collection qualifies as the high point of that collaboration. Sometimes surpassing their splendid solo sides, Vaughan and Eckstine obviously revel in each other's company here, seamlessly blending their voices on most every track. Draped in Hal Mooney's fine and unobtrusive charts, the singers particularly shine on such well-tread Berlin fare as "I've Got My Love to Keep Me Warm" and "Cheek to Cheek"; there are equally splendid readings of the rarely covered "Easter Parade" and "Now It Can Be Told" as well. A highlight from the land of vintage vocal jazz.