Ella

Available now, remastered, is the original Verve Ella in Hollywood release, which is outstanding(and not duplicated in the 4 CD package). The version of Take the A Train must be heard to be believed, and every selection is magical. Anyone contemplating the 4 CD set will want to pick up the first CD, available at a budget price on the Verve Original series. There have been many complaints about the packaging on the new 4 CD release. Hiopefully they will release it in a standard self size format with decent CD sleeves.

Should have read "small sized format", obviously

quote:

Originally posted by Oldnslow:
Available now, remastered, is the original Verve Ella in Hollywood release, which is outstanding(and not duplicated in the 4 CD package). The version of Take the A Train must be heard to be believed, and every selection is magical. Anyone contemplating the 4 CD set will want to pick up the first CD, available at a budget price on the Verve Original series. There have been many complaints about the packaging on the new 4 CD release. Hiopefully they will release it in a standard self size format with decent CD sleeves.

I can't find the first cd on Verve anywhere am I not looking hard enough?

I'm not that familiar with Ella. Have just ordered 'Songbooks' however after a listen on Spotify - any other recommendations?

Cheers

Ella in Hollywood is available on both US and UK Amazon sites. Contrary to one person on Amazon UK, the sound quality of the remastered edition is fine.

There is so much top drawer Ella available it is hard to know where to begin. Another live classic is Ella in Berlin. Also Intimate Ella is nice--just piano accompaniment. Ella and Basie is also great, as is Swings Lightly. I prefer the more straight jazz settings rather than the highly orchestrated songbooks, but of course they are regarded as classics too. There is an excellent 3 CD complitation called The First Lady of Song that gives a very good overview of Ella. All these recordings are on Verve. Some of her later Pablo recordings are good, but not in the league of her earlier work in my opinion.

I should add that in my humble opinion Ella is the greatest female jazz singer that ever lived. Perfect intonation, swings harder than anyone, scats better than anyone. I love Billie Holiday for her unique style and feeling, and Sarah Vaughn for her style and technique. But Ella is a true virtuoso jazz musician, fully on a par with the great instrumentalists. All three of these singers make todays crop of (usually) photogenic singers look like beginners....

I watched some of the Grammys last night and oh how I miss the honesty of someone like Ella, Sarah who could just sing well. Yes she has the most amazing voice. and I do have a vinyl with just her and a pianist and another with a small combo.

Of the song books I like the Arlen one the best.

Cheers folks :-)

quote:

Originally posted by Oldnslow:
I love Billie Holiday for her unique style and feeling, and Sarah Vaughn for her style and technique. But Ella is a true virtuoso jazz musician....

There is really an excellent cd with Ella, Billie, and Carmen McRae titled Ella Fitzgerald & Billie Holiday at Newport. It is one of the most energized, swingiest live sets recorded. The set of Ella alone is worth the price of the cd . . . . great performances by all three ladies!



Max

If you come to like the small combo backing of the new reissue find Ella in Hollywood, from her 70's era comes another gem with an amazing small band titled Ella in London. Her long time accompaniment on tour was the great Tommy Flanagan on piano, and he is in a small band on this club date with her, and the recording quality is simply stunning. I remember a client who was a rabid Linnie digging this one out on one of his record searches, and it was simply stunning to her this level of musicianship in service of a brilliant singer.

The didn't choose female singers in that era on the basis of how toned their bodies were, and of course, not all of them could sing like Ella, but it was a different time, when musicians were primarily about the music, and not so much how they photographed.

End of rant, enjoy your discovery, as Ella has a huge and varied recorded legacy.

Good listening,

Bruce

Don't forget the contributions of the great Ellis Larkins. (We have a family connection to him, as Ellis' son was cared for by my Mother and Father-in-law in a fostering arrangement.)

See in particular Ellis' work on "Ella Sings Gershwin"..

Thanks again :-)

quote:

Originally posted by winkyincanada:
Don't forget the contributions of the great Ellis Larkins. (We have a family connection to him, as Ellis' son was cared for by my Mother and Father-in-law in a fostering arrangement.)

See in particular Ellis' work on "Ella Sings Gershwin"..

saw ella in london in the 60s and louie in the 70s in yorkshire . my favourite lps are both of them together recorded 56. stunning performance allan

quote:

Originally posted by Diccus62:
I'm not that familiar with Ella. Have just ordered 'Songbooks' however after a listen on Spotify - any other recommendations?

Cheers

ella and louie together

quote:

Originally posted by rich46:

Cheers

ella and louie together[/QUOTE]

Great recommendation, Rich! Forgot about this classic recording, which there is quite a bit of songbook material on. It is absolutely a fun, groovin', swingin' album through and through! And a great back up band to boot . . . Ray Brown, Herb Ellis, Oscar Peterson, Buddy Rich.



Max
P.s. Also, check out the complete Ella & Louis on Verve. Looks very good . . . . in fact, I think it will be my next treat!

quote:

Originally posted by Max Bass:

quote:

Originally posted by rich46:

Cheers

ella and louie together

Great recommendation, Rich! Forgot about this classic recording, which there is quite a bit of songbook material on. It is absolutely a fun, groovin', swingin' album through and through! And a great back up band to boot . . . Ray Brown, Herb Ellis, Oscar Peterson, Buddy Rich.



Max
P.s. Also, check out the complete Ella & Louis on Verve. Looks very good . . . . in fact, I think it will be my next treat![/QUOTE]

hello dolly
porgy and bess
ella in berlin
on the sunny side
jazz sides ,verve
jukebox ella

check these too allan

I got the Ella 12 Nights in Hollywood, it's in a very nice graphic book with 4 CDs tucked into the back. It's just amazing.

If you just want one this is a great live album, she sings, croons and scats with a small swinging band.