This recording of "When the Sun Comes Out" comes from Stella Cole's 2023 album Stella Cole (Extended Version). Written by Harold Arlen with lyrics by Ted Koehler, the song is a dramatic ballad about emotional devastation, with Arlen's characteristically wide-ranging melody demanding both technical command and interpretive depth from its performers. The tune has been a favorite of singers drawn to challenging material, with notable versions by Judy Garland and Barbra Streisand among others. Cole performs it at a slow 71 BPM ballad tempo, bringing a maturity of expression to the heavy emotional content. The 38-bar AABA form in G provides the framework for a brief tenor saxophone solo by Jerry Weldon, whose passage covers roughly sixteen percent of the form. Though compact, Weldon's contribution is effective, his warm tone providing a moment of instrumental reflection within the song's dramatic arc. His phrasing complements the ballad's emotional weight without overwhelming the delicate balance of the arrangement. Cole's willingness to tackle one of Arlen's most demanding compositions speaks to her confidence as an interpreter and her ambition to engage with the full range of the Great American Songbook, including its most emotionally challenging corners. The result is a performance that honors the song's dramatic power while maintaining the intimate scale of a small-group jazz setting.
