"Ella Fitzgerald Sings..."

Thanks, Tony. I may well take your advice. Before I do so, could you say whether the new remasters are much better than the UK-manufactured "Essential Ella" and "Forever Ella"?
Ken

Sorry, can't help you with that one Ken. Not heard either.

Just a note

All these songbooks are available on lovingly remastered LPs (speakers corner). They aren't cheap but are superb IMO.

I agree the Cole Porter Songbook set is particularly excellent. There is also a 4 LP set of the Duke Ellimgton Songbook which has Ella at her jazz best backed by those wonderfull Ellington musicians such as Ben Webster and Johnny Hodges and the man himself.

regards
Geoff

quote:

Originally posted by tonym:
For those folk who like Ella (and even those who aren't sure but would like to listen to some of her music) I can heartily recommend the Verve remasters of her "Songbook" series.

Wonderful recordings from the fifties, lovingly restored, manufactured in Japan in excellent packages with informative booklets.


Truly superb!

Great recommendation, tonym!!!

Last winter, I splurged and bought the "Complete Ella Fitzgerald Song Books" , and can not recommend it highly enough! With over 240 songs listed, it will take quite some time to digest.

The packaging is to die for! Verve did an exceptional job, as mentiioned above, reproducing the CD's as a series of miniature CD albums. Very classy, especially the 120 page hard cover book. It explains, amongst other things such as recording session information, the fascinating story of how Norman Granz (producer)entered into negotiations with Deca Records to outright steal her away. Ella, at the time, was locked into a seemingly unbreakable, non-negotiable contract with Decca, but Granz, through a series of clever negotiating, and stunning leveraging, . . . made them an offer they couldn't refuse!

"Truly Superb" indeed!

Best, Max

"Legends: Ella Fitzgerald" 9pm tonight on BBC4, for anyone interested.

quote:

Originally posted by Max Bass:

quote:

Originally posted by tonym:
For those folk who like Ella (and even those who aren't sure but would like to listen to some of her music) I can heartily recommend the Verve remasters of her "Songbook" series.

Wonderful recordings from the fifties, lovingly restored, manufactured in Japan in excellent packages with informative booklets.


Truly superb!

Great recommendation, tonym!!!

Last winter, I splurged and bought the "Complete Ella Fitzgerald Song Books" , and can not recommend it highly enough! With over 240 songs listed, it will take quite some time to digest.

The packaging is to die for! Verve did an exceptional job, as mentiioned above, reproducing the CD's as a series of miniature CD albums. Very classy, especially the 120 page hard cover book. It explains, amongst other things such as recording session information, the fascinating story of how Norman Granz (producer)entered into negotiations with Deca Records to outright steal her away. Ella, at the time, was locked into a seemingly unbreakable, non-negotiable contract with Decca, but Granz, through a series of clever negotiating, and stunning leveraging, . . . made them an offer they couldn't refuse!

"Truly Superb" indeed!

Best, Max

Max,

truly superb indeed, great music in a lovely packaging.

Cheers ... Oliver

a couple years ago I bought a verve sampler CD of Ella and noticed most were from her songbooks. I was in love at the time and feeling low and every word she sang hit the spot. I ordered Ellington, Arlen and Porter. Arlen is my favorite. Ellington ships in 2 discs and the 2nd is a waste, one long song and then her and the band rehearsing, but the 1st is Just great.

I"ve now picked up several of her on vinyl. My favorite is Ella sings Gershwin with Ellis Larkins at the piano on MCA records. Simple great singing with piano, no big band or anything slick.

Then go get Sassy Swings the Tivoli on Mercury records and hear Sarah Vaughn at her early best. Frank Sinatra thought Sarah the best singer hands down. His comment was "Just cut my throat now". I like Sarah too and Nat King Cole. Sinatra was best in his Capitol recording era.

quote:

I ordered Ellington, Arlen and Porter. Arlen is my favorite. Ellington ships in 2 discs and the 2nd is a waste, one long song and then her and the band rehearsing,

Wolf.. you must have a different Ellington Songbook set from the one I have. Mine came in a Box as a set of 4 lp's with an interesting book.

Granted side 8 has a suite of 4 movements written by Duke to honour Ella with brief verbal intros by the Duke. I guess you are not into Ellington because for me the orchestra is pure Ellington playing his music in the movements and the last track is not a rehersal but a 'proper 'Take' which has Ella scatting and sounding like a horn soloist in the band, great.

The EIGHT sides have the following make up:

ONE
Rockin in Rhythm
Drop me off in Harlem
Day Dream
Caravan
Take the A train

TWO
I ain't got nothing but the Blues
Clementine
I didn't know about you
I'm beginning to see the light
Lost in Meditation
Perdido

THREE
Cottontail
Do nothing till you hear from me
Just a sittin and a rockin
Solitude
Rocks in my bed

FOUR
Satin Doll
Sophisticated Lady
Just squeeze me
It don't mean a thing
Azure

FIVE
I let a song go out of my Heart
In a sentimental mood
Don't get around much anymore
Prelude to a kiss

SIX
Mood Indigo
In a mellow tone
Love you madly
Lush life
Squaaty roo

SEVEN
I'm just a lucky so and so
All too soon
Everything but you
I got it bad and that ain't good
Bli Blip
Chelsea bridge

EIGHT
Portrait of Ella
The E and D Blues

regards
Geoff

oh that is what I have. I love the first CD but all those studio takes of Chelsea Bridge UGH!
I'll take another listen to "Portrait of Ella"

I haven't read the booklet that came with it. It is a nice package tho, as a graphic designer I like it a lot. I also think her work with Ellington is great. Love the way she vocalizes and scats.

I have a friend who is a professional musician but only interested in classical and opera. I mentioned to him and an older friend Harry who's seen everybody since 1953 who works in music advertising, that I"ve been listening a lot to Ella. John sputtered, I thought he wouldn't like that, but he said "Nothing awkward ever came of her mouth." He sure is right.

one thing about CDs is the text is so small I have to get my reading glasses on and really study it. Vinyl boxes are so great for the size, but then I don't get to exercise my stomach muscles getting up from the couch as much either.

quote:

I love the first CD but all those studio takes of Chelsea Bridge UGH!

Ah....CD. I suspect they filled up the extra space. On LP it is all straight takes, no studio odds and ends. This whole extras thing is usually less than great.

regards
Geoff

Thanks for recommending the vinyl "Songbook" albums Geoff. I did look at them first off, but having read a very favourable review of the verve CDs I thought I'd try those.

Now you've reassured me regarding the quality of the black stuff I'll get a couple of those next.

I agree Wolf, the CD booklets are a bit small. You mean to say there's actual writing on them?