Time in My Life

A Time In My Life was Sarah Vaughans second album for Mainstream Records, and is one of the classic recordings of her later career. Bob Shad, Mainstream's owner, had produced the singer at Mercury in the 1950s, and he shows his skill by the clever updating of her style for a contemporary audience.

One of the great voices of the mid-twentieth century, Sarah Vaughan made her name as a member of the Billy Eckstine band, which revolutionised jazz with its line-up of early beboppers who included Charlie Parker and Dizzy Gillespie. She went on to score a series of top-selling singles for first Columbia and then Mercury, making her one of the stars of the 1950s.

Although jazz became less popular in the 60s and 70s, Vaughan retained her appeal. This album shows how well she could interpret newer songwriters. Here the material comes from some some unlikely sources such as John Lennon, John Sebastian, Bob Dylan and Carly Simon, but the standout track is her take on Brian Auger's On Thinking It Over.

Arranged by Ernie Wilkins, Vaughan is backed by a sympathetic medium-sized group which included luminaries Earl Palmer and Joe Pass. This album is rated four and a half stars at All Music.