Ella Fitzgerald | ||
| Allmusic Biography : Recognized worldwide as "The First Lady of Song," Ella Fitzgerald is arguably the finest female jazz vocalist of all time. Blessed with a highly resonant voice, wide range, and near-perfect elocution, Fitzgerald also possessed a deft sense of swing, and with her brilliant scat technique, could hold her own against any of her instrumental contemporaries. She came to initial popularity as a member of drummer Chick Webbs band in the 1930s, scoring a hit with a "A-Tisket, A-Tasket," before ascending to wide acclaim in the 1940s with Jazz at the Philharmonic and Dizzy Gillespies Big Band, and issuing landmark performances like "Flying Home" and "How High the Moon." Working with producer/manager Norman Granz, she gained even more acclaim with her series of albums on Verve, recording definitive versions of the music of the Great American Songbook composers, including 1956s Sings the Cole Porter Songbook. Over her 50-year career, she earned 13 Grammy Awards, sold over 40 million albums, and picked up numerous accolades including a National Medal of Arts and the Presidential Medal of Freedom. A hugely important cultural figure, Fitzgerald made an immeasurable impact on the development of jazz and popular music, and remains a touchstone for fans and artists decades after her passing. Born in 1917 in Newport News, Virginia, Fitzgerald grew up in a working-class family in Yonkers, New York. Her parents split up soon after her birth, and she was largely raised by her mother, Temperance "Tempie" Fitzgerald, and her mothers boyfriend Joseph "Joe" Da Silva. She also had a younger half-sister, Frances, who was born in 1923. To help with the familys finances, Fitzgerald often worked odd jobs including, at times, running bet money for local gamblers. By her teens, the self-professed tomboy was active in sports and often played in local baseball games. Influenced by her mother, she also enjoyed singing and dancing, and spent many hours singing along to records by Bing Crosby, Connee Boswell, and the Boswell Sisters. She also began taking the train to see shows with friends at Harlems Apollo Theater. In 1932, her mother died from injuries sustained in a car accident. Deeply distraught over the loss, Fitzgerald went through a difficult period that found her skipping school and getting in trouble with the police. She was subsequently sent to a reform school, where she endured abuse by her caretakers. Eventually breaking free from the reformatory, she found herself on her own in New York during the height of the Great Depression. Despite her struggles, she worked to pursue her love of performing. In 1934, she entered and won an amateur contest at the Apollo, singing Hoagy Carmichaels "Judy" in the style of her idol, Connee Boswell. In the house band that night was saxophonist Benny Carter, who took the young vocalist under his wing and encouraged her to keep developing her career. More contests followed, and in 1935 Fitzgerald won a weeklong spot singing with Tiny Bradshaw at the Harlem Opera House. There, she met influential drummer Chick Webb, who agreed to try her out with his orchestra at a one-nighter at Yale University. She won the crowd over, and spent the next few years with the drummer, who became her legal guardian and reworked his show to feature the singer. The bands fame grew exponentially with Fitzgerald, as they dominated at the Savoy battle of the bands, and issued a string of Decca 78s, scoring hits "A Tisket-A-Tasket," in 1938, and the B-side "Taint What You Do (Its the Way That You Do It)," as well as "Liza," and "Undecided." As the singers career was on the rise, Webbs health had begun to decline. Though only in his thirties, the drummer, who had struggled with congenital spinal tuberculosis throughout his life, would purportedly collapse from exhaustion after playing a set. Nonetheless, he forged onwards, hoping to keep his band working through the Depression. In 1939, not long after undergoing major surgery at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, Maryland, Webb died. Following his death, Fitzgerald continued to front his band with much success until 1941, when she decided to pursue a solo career. Sticking with Decca, Fitzgerald was teamed with the Ink Spots, Louis Jordan, and the Delta Rhythm Boys for several best-sellers, and in 1946 began working regularly for manager Norman Granzs Jazz at the Philharmonic. Though often regarded as a pop vocalist during her time with Webb, Fitzgerald had begun to experiment with scat singing, a sound she further developed during these years. She toured with Dizzy Gillespies big band, and soon adopted bebop as an integral part of her style, punctuating her live sets with instrumental-style scat solos that wowed audiences and earned her respect from her fellow musicians. Her recordings of "Lady Be Good," "How High the Moon," and "Flying Home" during 1945-1947 were released to great acclaim and helped solidify her stature as a major jazz vocalist. It was while working with Gillespie that she met and married bassist Ray Brown, living with him from 1947 to 1953, during which time she often performed with his trio. The couple also adopted a son, Ray Brown, Jr., (born to Fitzgeralds half-sister Frances in 1949) who would go on to his own career as a pianist and vocalist. In 1951, the singer paired with pianist Ellis Larkins for the duets album Ella Sings Gershwin, on which she interpreted George Gershwin songs, prefiguring her later Songbooks series. After appearing in the film Pete Kellys Blues in 1955, Fitzgerald signed with Norman Granzs Verve label. Her longtime manager, Granz had specifically launched Verve with the sole purpose of better showcasing her voice. Beginning with 1956s Sings the Cole Porter Songbook, she would record an extensive series of Songbooks albums, interpreting the music of the Great American Songbook composers, including Cole Porter, George and Ira Gershwin, Rodgers & Hart, Duke Ellington, Harold Arlen, Jerome Kern, and Johnny Mercer. The prestigious albums, which earned Fitzgerald her first four Grammys at the 1959 and 1958 Grammy Awards, further raised her stature as one of the great singers of all time. Other soon-to-be-classic albums followed, including her 1956 pairing with Louis Armstrong Ella & Louis, 1957s Like Someone in Love, and 1958s Porgy and Bess with Armstrong. Also under Granzs guidance, Fitzgerald toured often, issuing a handful of highly regarded live concert albums. Among them, 1960s Ella in Berlin included her off-the-cuff take on "Mack the Knife" in which she forgot the lyrics and improvised her own. One of the best-selling albums of her career, Ella in Berlin earned her Grammy Awards for Best Vocal Performance Single Record or Track, Female, and Best Vocal Performance Album, Female. The album was later inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 1999. Verve was sold to MGM in 1963, and by 1967 Fitzgerald found herself without a contract. She spent the next few years recording for a number of labels like Capitol, Atlantic and Reprise. Her albums during these years also found her updating her repertoire with modern pop and rock songs such as Creams "Sunshine of Your Love" and the Beatles "Hey Jude." She sang traditional hymns on 1967s Brighten the Corner, while 1969s Ella included her last U.S. chart single with a cover of Smokey Robinsons "Get Ready." Nonetheless, Fitzgerald remained an immensely popular and highly regarded performer. In 1967, she was bestowed with the Bing Crosby Award (later named the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award) at the 10th Annual Grammy Awards. However, her later years were again marked by the influence of Granz after he founded the independent Pablo Records. A concert album, Jazz at the Santa Monica Civic 72, featuring Fitzgerald, pianist Tommy Flanagan, and the Count Basie Orchestra, gained popularity via mail-order sales and helped Granz launch the label. More albums followed throughout the 70s and 80s, many pairing the singer with artists like Basie, Oscar Peterson, and Joe Pass, among others. While diabetes affected her eyes and heart during this period, forcing her to take breaks from performing, Fitzgerald always retained her joyful style, and exuberant sense of swing. Away from the stage, she was committed to helping disadvantaged youth, and made contributions to various charity organizations. In 1979, she was honored with a Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts Medal of Honor Award. Also, in 1987, President Ronald Reagan awarded her the National Medal of Arts. More accolades followed, including a Commander of Arts and Letters award from France, and numerous honorary doctorates from Yale, Harvard, Dartmouth, and other institutions. Following a concert at New Yorks Carnegie Hall in 1991, she retired from her career. Fitzgerald passed away on June 15, 1996, at her home in Beverly Hills, California. In the decades following her death, Fitzgeralds reputation as one of the most influential and recognizable figures in jazz and popular music only increased. She remains a household name around the world, and has received a number of posthumous accolades, including four Hall of Fame Grammys and the Presidential Medal of Freedom. | ||
 | Album: 1 of 49 Title: Lullabies of Birdland Released: 1955 Tracks: 11 Duration: 34:56 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Wikipedia Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Lullaby of Birdland (02:51) 2 Rough Ridin (03:14) 3 Angel Eyes (02:55) 4 Smooth Sailing (03:06) 5 Oh, Lady Be Good (03:08) 6 Later (02:32) 7 Ella Hums the Blues (05:13) 8 How High the Moon (03:15) 9 Basin Street Blues (03:07) 10 Air Mail Special (03:03) 11 Flying Home (02:29) |
| Lullabies of Birdland : Allmusic album Review : With her impeccably clean phrasing, fluid scat-singing, and confident sense of swing, Ella Fitzgerald (1917-1996) was one of Americas and the worlds most popular jazz singers. Fitzgerald was a favored singing partner of Louis Armstrong, Frank Sinatra, Dizzy Gillespie (who had a profound influence on her singing during bebops rise), and Duke Ellington, and achieved both critical and popular success during her lifetime. LULLABIES OF BIRDLAND consists of recordings from 1945 to 1955, offering a cross-section of Swing-era standards, many of which she flat-out owned by the end of her career ("Oh Lady Be Good" and "How High The Moon" among them). | ||
 | Album: 2 of 49 Title: Ella Fitzgerald Sings the Rodgers and Hart Song Book Released: 1956 Tracks: 49 Duration: 2:36:29 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Have You Met Miss Jones? (03:44) 2 You Took Advantage of Me (03:31) 3 A Ship Without a Sail (04:11) 4 To Keep My Love Alive (03:38) 5 Dancing on the Ceiling (04:09) 6 The Lady Is a Tramp (03:24) 7 With a Song in My Heart (02:46) 8 Manhattan (02:51) 9 Johnny One Note (02:15) 10 I Wish I Were in Love Again (02:40) 11 Spring Is Here (03:42) 12 It Never Entered My Mind (04:09) 13 This Cant Be Love (02:57) 14 Thou Swell (02:08) 15 My Romance (03:47) 16 Where or When (02:50) 17 Little Girl Blue (03:54) 18 Give It Back to the Indians (03:13) 19 Ten Cents a Dance (04:09) 20 Theres a Small Hotel (02:48) 21 I Didnt Know What Time It Was (03:48) 22 Evrything Ive Got (03:26) 23 I Could Write a Book (03:39) 1 The Blue Room (02:35) 2 My Funny Valentine (03:54) 3 Bewitched (07:03) 4 Mountain Greenery (02:15) 5 Wait Till You See Her (01:30) 6 Lover (03:16) 7 Isnt It Romantic? (03:02) 8 Here in My Arms (01:53) 9 Blue Moon (03:15) 10 My Heart Stood Still (03:06) 11 Ive Got Five Dollars (02:41) 12 Lover (mono take) (03:17) 13 The Silent Treatment (02:53) 14 Stay There (02:37) 15 The Sun Forgot to Shine This Morning (03:19) 16 Too Young for the Blues (alternate take) (03:17) 17 Too Young for the Blues (03:18) 18 Its Only a Man (03:29) 19 (The End of) A Beautiful Friendship (02:39) 20 Beale Street Blues (02:29) 21 Hear My Heart (02:21) 22 Hotta Chocolatta (03:10) 23 Your Red Wagon (02:57) 24 Travlin Light (03:14) 25 Oh, What a Night for Love (02:26) 26 Dreams Are Made for Children (02:38) |
| Ella Fitzgerald Sings the Rodgers and Hart Song Book : Allmusic album Review : The second of Ella Fitzgeralds famed Songbook series features her singing 34 of the best songs co-written by Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart. The arrangements by Buddy Bregman for the string orchestra and big band only border on jazz but she manages to swing the medium-tempo numbers and give sensitivity to the ballads. With such songs as "You Took Advantage of Me," "The Lady Is a Tramp," "It Never Entered My Mind," "Where or When," "My Funny Valentine," and "Blue Moon," it is not too surprising that these recordings (originally released on a two-LP set) were so popular. | ||
 | Album: 3 of 49 Title: Ella and Louis Released: 1956 Tracks: 11 Duration: 54:10 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Wikipedia Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Can’t We Be Friends (03:47) 2 Isn’t This a Lovely Day (06:16) 3 Moonlight in Vermont (03:42) 4 They Can’t Take That Away From Me (04:39) 5 Under a Blanket of Blue (04:18) 6 Tenderly (05:08) 7 A Foggy Day (04:32) 8 Stars Fell on Alabama (03:34) 9 Cheek to Cheek (05:53) 10 The Nearness of You (05:42) 11 April in Paris (06:33) |
| Ella and Louis : Allmusic album Review : Ella and Louis is an inspired collaboration, masterminded by producer Norman Granz. Both artists were riding high at this stage in their careers, and Granz assembled a stellar quartet of Oscar Peterson (piano), Buddy Rich (drums), Herb Ellis (guitar) and Ray Brown (bass). Equally inspired was the choice of material, with the gruffness of Armstrongs voice blending like magic with Fitzgeralds stunningly silky delivery. Outstanding are Irving Berlins "Cheek to Cheek" and "Isnt This a Lovely Day," and everything else works like a dream, with the golden star going to the Gershwin brothers "They Cant Take That Away from Me." Gentle and sincere, this is deserving of a place in every home. | ||
 | Album: 4 of 49 Title: Ella Fitzgerald Sings the Cole Porter Song Book Released: 1956 Tracks: 16 Duration: 53:50 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Wikipedia Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 All Through the Night (03:17) 2 Anything Goes (03:23) 3 Miss Otis Regrets (She’s Unable to Lunch Today) (03:02) 4 Too Darn Hot (03:50) 5 In the Still of the Night (02:40) 6 I Get a Kick Out of You (04:01) 7 Do I Love You? (03:51) 8 Always True to You in My Fashion (02:50) 9 Let’s Do It (Let’s Fall in Love) (03:34) 10 Just One of Those Things (03:32) 11 Ev’ry Time We Say Goodbye (03:34) 12 All of You (01:45) 13 Begin the Beguine (03:39) 14 Get Out of Town (03:24) 15 I Am in Love (04:08) 16 From This Moment On (03:16) |
| Ella Fitzgerald Sings the Cole Porter Song Book : Allmusic album Review : Ella Fitzgerald had the ability to personalize some of the most recognizable material from the foremost songwriters in American popular music history. In this instance, the combination of Cole Porters words and Fitzgeralds interpretation of them created one of the most sought after sessions in vocal history -- embraced by jazz and pop fans alike, transcending boundaries often associated with those genres. Originally released in 1956 on the Verve label, such standards as "Night and Day," "I Love Paris," "What Is This Thing Called Love," "Ive Got You Under My Skin," "Youre the Top," and "Love for Sale" secured one of Ella Fitzgeralds crowning moments. The success of these early Porter (and previous Gershwin) sessions brought about numerous interpretations of other songbooks throughout the next several years including those of Rodgers and Hart, Duke Ellington, Johnny Mercer, Harold Arlen, and Irving Berlin. | ||
 | Album: 5 of 49 Title: Ella Fitzgerald Sings the Gershwin Song Book, Volume 1 Released: 1957 Tracks: 12 Duration: 40:57 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% AlbumCover | 1 But Not for Me (03:35) 2 Fascinating Rhythm (03:23) 3 They All Laughed (03:05) 4 The Man I Love (03:52) 5 Nice Work If You Can Get It (03:34) 6 Clap Yo Hands (02:31) 7 Lets Call the Whole Thing Off (04:30) 8 Love Is Here to Stay (03:54) 9 I Was Doing All Right (03:29) 10 He Loves and She Loves (02:49) 11 Lorelei (03:01) 12 (Ive Got) Beginners Luck (03:11) |
 | Album: 6 of 49 Title: Ella Fitzgerald Sings the Duke Ellington Song Book Released: 1957 Tracks: 51 Duration: 3:45:54 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Wikipedia Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Rockin in Rhythm (05:20) 2 Drop Me Off in Harlem (03:51) 3 Day Dream (04:01) 4 Caravan (03:55) 5 Take the "A" Train (06:41) 6 I Aint Got Nothin but the Blues (04:43) 7 Clementine (02:40) 8 I Didnt Know About You (04:12) 9 Im Beginning to See the Light (03:28) 10 Lost in Meditation (03:27) 11 Perdido (06:14) 12 Cotton Tail (03:26) 13 Do Nothin Till You Hear From Me (07:43) 14 Just A-Sittin and A-Rockin (03:34) 15 Solitude (02:08) 16 Rocks in My Bed (03:59) 17 Satin Doll (03:29) 18 Sophisticated Lady (05:21) 1 Just Squeeze Me (But Dont Tease Me) (04:17) 2 It Don’t Mean a Thing (If It Ain’t Got That Swing) (04:15) 3 Azure (02:22) 4 I Let a Song Go Out of My Heart (04:11) 5 In a Sentimental Mood (02:47) 6 Dont Get Around Much Anymore (05:02) 7 Prelude to a Kiss (05:29) 8 Mood Indigo (03:27) 9 In a Mellow Tone (05:11) 10 Love You Madly (04:42) 11 Lush Life (03:39) 12 Squatty Roo (03:39) 13 Im Just a Lucky So and So (04:14) 14 All Too Soon (04:23) 15 Everything but You (02:57) 16 I Got It Bad (and That Ain’t Good) (06:15) 17 Bli-Blip (03:03) 1 Chelsea Bridge (03:26) 2 Portrait of Ella Fitzgerald (16:18) 3 The E and D Blues (E for Ella, D for Duke) (05:04) 4 Chelsea Bridge (take 1, rehearsal) (04:36) 5 Chelsea Bridge (take 2, rehearsal) (04:09) 6 Chelsea Bridge (take 3, rehearsal) (04:17) 7 Chelsea Bridge (take 4, rehearsal) (03:27) 8 Chelsea Bridge (take 5, rehearsal) (02:16) 9 Chelsea Bridge (take 6, rehearsal) (01:31) 10 Chelsea Bridge (take 7, rehearsal) (06:46) 11 Chelsea Bridge (take 8, rehearsal) (05:50) 12 All Heart (alternate take) (04:02) 13 All Heart (take 1, complete take) (03:42) 14 All Heart (take 2, complete take) (03:30) 15 All Heart (take 3, complete take) (03:43) 16 Portrait of Ella Fitzgerald: Introduction (various takes) (04:59) |
| Ella Fitzgerald Sings the Duke Ellington Song Book : Allmusic album Review : Ella Fitzgeralds outstanding songbook series has become an institution unto itself. This 1957 effort is distinguished from Fitzgeralds other songbooks in that it is the only album in which the composer whose work she is singing actively participates. In fact, these recordings are packed with some of the key figures in 20th century jazz. As if Ella and Duke werent enough, Ellingtons arranger/composer Billy Strayhorn, guest musicians Dizzy Gillespie and Oscar Peterson, and brilliant record producer Norman Granz all have a hand in the proceedings. And what better backing band could one want than Dukes orchestra? The usual suspects -- Jimmy Hamilton, Johnny Hodges, Paul Gonsalves, Harry Carney, and Sam Woodyard, among others -- contribute fine performances throughout. Dukes spectacular catalog dazzles, and his sprightly, lush textures are transfigured under Fitzgeralds warm-timbred voice and elegant, precise delivery. Included here are classics like "Rockin in Rhythm," "Caravan," "Satin Doll," "Sophisticated Lady," "Prelude to a Kiss," and "It Dont Mean a Thing...," each tune as familiar as it is delightful to hear in this new context. | ||
 | Album: 7 of 49 Title: Ella Fitzgerald Sings the Duke Ellington Song Book, Volume 2 Released: 1957 Tracks: 17 Duration: 1:23:36 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% AlbumCover | 1 I Let a Song Go Out of My Heart (04:11) 2 In a Sentimental Mood (02:47) 3 Dont Get Around Much Anymore (05:02) 4 Prelude to a Kiss (05:29) 5 Mood Indigo (03:27) 6 In a Mellow Tone (05:11) 7 Love You Madly (04:42) 8 Lush Life (03:39) 9 Squatty Roo (03:39) 1 Im Just a Lucky So and So (04:14) 2 All Too Soon (04:23) 3 Everything but You (02:57) 4 I Got It Bad (and That Ain’t Good) (06:15) 5 Bli-Blip (03:03) 6 Chelsea Bridge (03:26) 7 Portrait of Ella Fitzgerald (16:18) 8 The E and D Blues (E for Ella D for Duke) (04:48) |
 | Album: 8 of 49 Title: Porgy & Bess Released: 1957-08 Tracks: 15 Duration: 1:06:12 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Wikipedia Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Porgy & Bess: Overture (10:51) 2 Summertime (04:58) 3 Porgy & Bess: I Wants to Stay Here (04:37) 4 Porgy & Bess: My Mans Gone Now (04:01) 5 Got Plenty O Nuttin (03:52) 6 Porgy & Bess: The Buzzard Song (02:58) 7 Porgy & Bess: Bess, You Is My Woman Now (05:29) 8 Porgy & Bess: It Aint Necessarily So (06:34) 9 Porgy & Bess: What You Want Wid Bess? (02:01) 10 Porgy & Bess: A Woman Is a Sometime Thing (04:47) 11 Porgy & Bess: Oh, Doctor Jesus (02:02) 12 Porgy & Bess: Medley: Here Comes the Honeyman / Crab Man / Oh, Deys So Fresh and Fine (Strawberry Woman) (03:29) 13 Porgy & Bess: Theres a Boat Dats Leavin Soon for New York (04:54) 14 Porgy & Bess: Oh Bess, Oh Wheres My Bess? (02:36) 15 Porgy & Bess: Oh Lawd, Im on My Way! (02:56) |
| Porgy & Bess : Allmusic album Review : Producer Norman Granz oversaw two Porgy & Bess projects. The first involved Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong, and came together during the autumn of 1957 with brassy big band and lush orchestral arrangements by Russ Garcia. This is the classic Verve Porgy & Bess, and its been reissued many, many times. The second, recorded during the spring and summer of 1976 and issued by RCA, brought Ray Charles together with versatile British vocalist Cleo Laine, backed by an orchestra under the direction of Frank DeVol. A comparison of these two realizations bears fascinating fruit, particularly when the medleys of street vendors are played back to back. Those peasant songs, used in real life to purvey honey, strawberries, and crabs, were gathered and notated by George Gershwin and novelist Du Bose Heyward in 1934 during a visit to Folly Island, a small barrier island ten miles south of Charleston, SC, known today as Folly Beach. As Charleston Harbor had been one of the major ports during the importation of slaves from Africa, the waterfront was mostly populated by Gullahs, a reconstituted community that retained and preserved its ancestral cultures and languages to unusual degrees. Gershwin, who even learned to chant with the Gullah, absorbed the tonalities of the street cries he heard and wove them -- along with all of the other impressions stored within his sensitive mind -- into the fabric of his opera. Whats really great about the Ella and Louis version is Ella, who handles each aria with disarming delicacy, clarion intensity, or usually a blend of both. Her take on "Buzzard Song" (sung 19 years later by Ray Charles) is a thrilling example of this womans intrinsic theatrical genius. Pops sounds like he really savored each duet, and his trumpet work -- not a whole lot of it, because this is not a trumpeters opera -- is characteristically good as gold. This marvelous album stands quite well on its own, but will sound best when matched with the Ray Charles/Cleo Laine version, especially the songs of the Crab Man, of Peter the Honey Man, and his wife, Lily the Strawberry Woman. | ||
 | Album: 9 of 49 Title: Ella and Louis Again Released: 1957-10-11 Tracks: 19 Duration: 1:30:21 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Wikipedia Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Don’t Be That Way (04:59) 2 Makin’ Whoopee (03:59) 3 They All Laughed (03:49) 4 Comes Love (02:28) 5 Autumn in New York (05:58) 6 Let’s Do It (Let’s Fall in Love) (08:41) 7 Stompin at the Savoy (05:14) 8 I Won’t Dance (04:47) 9 Gee, Baby, Aint I Good to You? (04:13) 1 Let’s Call the Whole Thing Off (04:15) 2 These Foolish Things (07:40) 3 I’ve Got My Love to Keep Me Warm (03:11) 4 Willow Weep for Me (04:21) 5 Im Puttin All My Eggs in One Basket (03:28) 6 A Fine Romance (03:56) 7 Ill Wind (03:45) 8 Love Is Here to Stay (03:59) 9 I Get a Kick Out of You (04:19) 10 Learnin’ the Blues (07:11) |
| Ella and Louis Again : Allmusic album Review : Recorded in 1957, Ella & Louis Again re-teams Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong after the success of their first album and a popular series of concerts at the Hollywood Bowl the previous year. Stylistically, Fitzgerald and Armstrong had very different histories; he started out in Dixieland before branching out into classic jazz and swing, whereas Fitzgerald started out as a swing-oriented big-band vocalist before becoming an expert bebopper. But the two of them have no problem finding common ground on Ella & Louis Again, which is primarily a collection of vocal duets (with the backing of a solid rhythm section led by pianist Oscar Peterson). One could nitpick about the fact that Satchmo doesnt take more trumpet solos, but the artists have such a strong rapport as vocalists that the trumpet shortage is only a minor point. Seven selections find either Fitzgerald or Armstrong singing without the other, although theyre together more often than not on this fine set. | ||
 | Album: 10 of 49 Title: Ella Swings Lightly Released: 1958 Tracks: 16 Duration: 52:11 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic Wikipedia AlbumCover | 1 Little White Lies (02:33) 2 You Hit the Spot (02:45) 3 Whats Your Story, Morning Glory? (02:41) 4 Just You, Just Me (02:21) 5 As Long as I Live (03:48) 6 Teardrops From My Eyes (03:46) 7 Gotta Be This or That (03:07) 8 Moonlight on the Ganges (02:24) 9 My Kinda Love (03:43) 10 Blues in the Night (07:10) 11 If I Were a Bell (02:35) 12 Youre an Old Smoothie (02:47) 13 Little Jazz (03:05) 14 You Brought a New Kind of Love to Me (02:20) 15 Knock Me a Kiss (04:08) 16 720 in the Books (02:54) |
| Ella Swings Lightly : Allmusic album Review : CD reissue featuring Ella Fitzgeralds flowing vocals and Marty Paichs Dek-tette band backing her. This was among several hit albums that Fitzgerald enjoyed in the 50s, when she was reaching the mass audience cutting pre-rock standards. | ||
 | Album: 11 of 49 Title: Ella Fitzgerald Sings the George and Ira Gershwin Songbook Released: 1959 Tracks: 53 Duration: 2:59:52 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Wikipedia AlbumCover | 1 Sam and Delilah (03:17) 2 But Not for Me (03:35) 3 My One and Only (02:38) 4 Lets Call the Whole Thing Off (04:30) 5 Beginners Luck (03:10) 6 Oh, Lady Be Good (04:01) 7 Nice Work If You Can Get It (03:34) 8 Things Are Looking Up (03:05) 9 Just Another Rhumba (05:37) 10 How Long Has This Been Going On? (03:48) 11 ’s Wonderful (03:31) 12 The Man I Love (03:52) 13 That Certain Feeling (03:04) 14 By Strauss (02:32) 15 Someone to Watch Over Me (04:35) 16 The Real American Folk Song (Is a Rag) (03:43) 17 Who Cares? (03:05) 1 Looking for a Boy (03:06) 2 They All Laughed (03:05) 3 My Cousin in Milwaukee (03:10) 4 Somebody From Somewhere (03:09) 5 A Foggy Day (03:34) 6 Clap Yo Hands (02:31) 7 For You, for Me, for Evermore (03:26) 8 Stiff Upper Lip (02:53) 9 Boy Wanted (03:36) 10 Strike Up the Band (02:36) 11 Soon (02:23) 12 I’ve Got a Crush on You (03:31) 13 Bidin My Time (02:42) 14 Arent You Kind of Glad We Did? (03:31) 15 Of Thee I Sing (Baby) (03:10) 16 "The Half of It, Dearie" Blues (03:48) 17 I Was Doing All Right (03:29) 18 He Loves and She Loves (02:46) 1 Love Is Sweeping the Country (03:27) 2 Treat Me Rough (02:54) 3 Love Is Here to Stay (03:54) 4 Slap That Bass (03:21) 5 Isnt It a Pity? (03:26) 6 Shall We Dance (03:07) 7 Love Walked In (03:51) 8 Youve Got What Gets Me (02:13) 9 They Can’t Take That Away From Me (03:09) 10 Embraceable You (04:52) 11 I Cant Be Bothered Now (02:48) 12 Boy! What Love Has Done to Me! (03:47) 13 Fascinating Rhythm (03:23) 14 Funny Face (03:23) 15 Lorelei (03:20) 16 Oh, So Nice (03:41) 17 Lets Kiss and Make Up (03:51) 18 I Got Rhythm (03:06) |
 | Album: 12 of 49 Title: Ella Fitzgerald Sings the Gershwin Song Book, Vol. 2 Released: 1959 Tracks: 12 Duration: 43:06 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% AlbumCover | 1 Someone to Watch Over Me (04:33) 2 ’s Wonderful (03:31) 3 Embraceable You (04:52) 4 They Can’t Take That Away From Me (03:11) 5 For You, for Me, for Evermore (03:26) 6 Soon (02:20) 7 A Foggy Day (03:34) 8 I’ve Got a Crush on You (03:31) 9 Looking for a Boy (03:08) 10 Oh, Lady Be Good (04:01) 11 Who Cares? (03:05) 12 Love Walked In (03:52) |
 | Album: 13 of 49 Title: Sings Sweet Songs for Swingers Released: 1959 Tracks: 12 Duration: 40:31 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic Wikipedia AlbumCover | 1 Sweet and Lovely (03:15) 2 Lets Fall in Love (03:08) 3 Makin Whoopee (03:47) 4 That Old Feeling (04:20) 5 I Remember You (02:26) 6 Moonlight Serenade (03:03) 7 Gone With the Wind (03:04) 8 Cant We Be Friends? (03:25) 9 Out of This World (04:37) 10 My Old Flame (03:06) 11 East of the Sun (and West of the Moon) (03:48) 12 Lullaby of Broadway (02:26) |
| Sings Sweet Songs for Swingers : Allmusic album Review : Recorded just before and after the period that she made the George and Ira Gershwin Songbook, Ella Fitzgerald is in fine form on this obscure LP, performing a dozen standards. Although two songs are by Harold Arlen, the composers were in most cases less prolific than the ones she saluted in her songbook series. Ella is backed by a large unidentified orchestra conducted and arranged by Frank DeVol. Swingers alternate with ballads, and as usual, Ella uplifts everything, including "Lets Fall In Love," "Moonlight Serenade," "Gone With the Wind" and "East of the Sun." An enjoyable if not classic release. | ||
 | Album: 14 of 49 Title: Get Happy! Released: 1959 Tracks: 14 Duration: 38:40 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Wikipedia AlbumCover | 1 Somebody Loves Me (02:38) 2 Cheerful Little Earful (02:09) 3 You Make Me Feel So Young (02:22) 4 Beat Me, Daddy, Eight to the Bar (02:30) 5 Like Young (03:03) 6 Cool Breeze (01:59) 7 Moonlight Becomes You (03:08) 8 Blue Skies (03:46) 9 You Turned the Tables on Me (02:33) 10 Gypsy in My Soul (02:42) 11 Goody-Goody (02:31) 12 St. Louis Blues (04:02) 13 A-Tisket, A-Tasket (02:22) 14 Swingin Shepherd Blues (02:50) |
 | Album: 15 of 49 Title: Let No Man Write My Epitaph Released: 1960 Tracks: 13 Duration: 42:21 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic Wikipedia AlbumCover | 1 Black Coffee (03:29) 2 Angel Eyes (03:29) 3 I Cried for You (03:29) 4 I Cant Give You Anything but Love, Baby (03:29) 5 Then Youve Never Been Blue (03:11) 6 I Hadnt Anyone Till You (02:51) 7 My Melancholy Baby (02:57) 8 Misty (02:53) 9 September Song (03:42) 10 One for My Baby (And One for the Road) (04:19) 11 Whos Sorry Now (03:28) 12 I’m Getting Sentimental Over You (02:38) 13 Reach for Tomorrow (02:25) |
 | Album: 16 of 49 Title: Ella Wishes You a Swinging Christmas Released: 1960 Tracks: 18 Duration: 52:18 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic Wikipedia AlbumCover | 1 Jingle Bells (02:25) 2 Santa Claus Is Coming to Town (02:20) 3 Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas (02:58) 4 What Are You Doing New Year’s Eve? (03:34) 5 Sleigh Ride (02:58) 6 The Christmas Song (03:02) 7 Good Morning Blues (03:17) 8 Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow! (02:45) 9 Winter Wonderland (02:17) 10 Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer (02:54) 11 Frosty the Snow Man (02:14) 12 White Christmas (03:02) 13 The Secret of Christmas (02:47) 14 Medley: We Three Kings of Orient Are / O Little Town of Bethlehem (03:37) 15 Christmas Island (02:20) 16 The Christmas Song (alternate take) (03:43) 17 White Christmas (alternate take) (03:48) 18 Frosty, the Snowman (alternate take) (02:11) |
| Ella Wishes You a Swinging Christmas : Allmusic album Review : Ella Wishes You a Swinging Christmas is a charming, warmly humorous -- and yes, swinging -- set of classic Christmas tunes. The program is familiar, from bouncy singalongs like "Jingle Bells" to slinky ballads like a downright sexy "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas," but Fitzgerald treats each song with exactly as much respect as it deserves. And so Frank Loessers "What Are You Doing New Years Eve" is wistfully romantic and Sammy Cahn and Jule Stynes "Let It Snow" is kittenishly enticing. As always, Norman Granzs production avoids the schlock that drowns some holiday sets. This is as good as jazz Christmas albums get. | ||
 | Album: 17 of 49 Title: Hello Love Released: 1960 Tracks: 12 Duration: 44:31 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic Wikipedia AlbumCover | 1 You Go to My Head (04:38) 2 Willow Weep for Me (04:03) 3 Im Thru With Love (03:48) 4 Spring Will Be a Little Late This Year (03:20) 5 Everything Happens to Me (03:55) 6 Lost in a Fog (04:04) 7 Ive Grown Accustomed to His Face (03:07) 8 I’ll Never Be the Same (04:27) 9 So Rare (03:37) 10 Tenderly (03:12) 11 Stairway to the Stars (02:54) 12 Moonlight in Vermont (03:20) |
 | Album: 18 of 49 Title: Ella Fitzgerald Sings the Harold Arlen Song Book Released: 1961 Tracks: 13 Duration: 53:53 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Wikipedia AlbumCover | 1 Blues in the Night (07:11) 2 Let’s Fall in Love (04:05) 3 Stormy Weather (05:16) 4 Sing My Heart (02:48) 5 Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea (02:25) 6 My Shining Hour (04:02) 7 Hooray for Love (02:45) 8 This Time the Dreams on Me (04:37) 9 That Old Black Magic (04:13) 10 Ive Got the World on a String (04:54) 11 Lets Take a Walk Around the Block (04:03) 12 Ill Wind (03:52) 13 Ac-Cent-Tchu-Ate the Positive (03:37) |
 | Album: 19 of 49 Title: Ella Fitzgerald Sings the Jerome Kern Songbook Released: 1963 Tracks: 12 Duration: 42:43 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Wikipedia AlbumCover | 1 Lets Begin (02:58) 2 A Fine Romance (03:38) 3 All the Things You Are (03:18) 4 Ill Be Hard to Handle (03:49) 5 You Couldnt Be Cuter (03:15) 6 She Didnt Say Yes (03:22) 7 Im Old Fashioned (03:29) 8 Remind Me (03:51) 9 The Way You Look Tonight (04:29) 10 Yesterdays (02:51) 11 Cant Help Lovin Dat Man (03:55) 12 Why Was I Born? (03:43) |
 | Album: 20 of 49 Title: These Are the Blues Released: 1963 Tracks: 10 Duration: 42:08 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic Wikipedia AlbumCover | 1 Jail House Blues (05:28) 2 In the Evening (When the Sun Goes Down) (04:30) 3 See, See Rider (02:42) 4 You Dont Know My Mind (04:52) 5 Trouble in Mind (03:34) 6 How Long, How Long Blues (04:00) 7 Cherry Red (04:12) 8 Down Hearted Blues (03:11) 9 St. Louis Blues (06:31) 10 Hear Me Talking to Ya (03:02) |
| These Are the Blues : Allmusic album Review : Ella Fitzgerald was never thought of as a blues singer but she does a surprisingly effective job on the ten blues songs here, including "See See Rider," "Trouble in Mind," "St. Louis Blues," and Bessie Smiths "Jailhouse Blues." She somehow sings more or less in the style of the classic blues vocalists of the 1920s and largely pulls it off. Trumpeter Roy Eldridge, who has few solos and is low in the mix, is largely wasted, as organist Wild Bill Davis (with assistance from guitarist Herb Ellis, bassist Ray Brown, and drummer Gus Johnson) dominate the ensembles. Its an interesting set. | ||
 | Album: 21 of 49 Title: Ella Sings Broadway Released: 1963 Tracks: 12 Duration: 34:08 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic Wikipedia AlbumCover | 1 Hernandos Hideaway (03:19) 2 If I Were a Bell (02:24) 3 Warm All Over (02:48) 4 Almost Like Being in Love (03:03) 5 Dites-moi (02:31) 6 I Could Have Danced All Night (02:27) 7 Show Me the Way to Get Out of This World (02:25) 8 No Other Love (02:23) 9 Steam Heat (03:29) 10 Whatever Lola Wants (03:15) 11 Guys and Dolls (02:46) 12 Somebody Somewhere (03:11) |
| Ella Sings Broadway : Allmusic album Review : Ella Fitzgerald combined forces with a studio orchestra conducted and arranged by Marty Paich for this 1962 studio session covering selections from hit Broadway productions, featuring compositions by Rodgers & Hammerstein, Lerner & Loewe, Adler & Ross, and Frank Loesser. While the arrangements feature brief ensemble passages, the songs are a vehicle for the singer and are deliberately brief. Surprisingly, few of these Broadway tunes became standards for jazz singers. "Hernandos Hideaway" found favor with Fitzgerald and she added it to her repertoire for time; this version is entertaining with a prominent role for the bass clarinet, though it is somewhat hampered by its rather mundane lyric. The campy "Steam Heat" is inevitably associated with Shirley McClaine, but Ella makes a good effort on a number that would be considered a misfit by most of her fans. "If I Were a Bell" is fairly swinging; while the swinging "Almost Like Being in Love" is clearly the gem of the date, although both songs feature a distracting backup vocal group that should have been omitted. Ellas enthusiasm and spirited vocals carry the day on this fun-filled CD. | ||
 | Album: 22 of 49 Title: Ella and Basie! Released: 1963-09 Tracks: 18 Duration: 1:00:56 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Wikipedia AlbumCover | 1 Honeysuckle Rose (02:43) 2 Deed I Do (02:44) 3 Into Each Life Some Rain Must Fall (03:21) 4 Them There Eyes (05:08) 5 Dream a Little Dream of Me (04:07) 6 Tea for Two (03:17) 7 Satin Doll (03:19) 8 Im Beginning to See the Light (04:07) 9 Shiny Stockings (03:34) 10 My Last Affair (03:18) 11 Aint Misbehavin (03:15) 12 On the Sunny Side of the Street (03:44) 13 My Last Affair (alternate take 1) (03:26) 14 My Last Affair (alternate take 2) (03:39) 15 Robbins Nest (breakdown) (01:22) 16 Robbins Nest (alternate take 1) (03:40) 17 Robbins Nest (alternate take 2) (03:09) 18 Robbins Nest (alternate take 3) (02:55) |
 | Album: 23 of 49 Title: Hello, Dolly! Released: 1964 Tracks: 12 Duration: 39:20 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify AlbumCover | 1 Hello, Dolly! (02:55) 2 People (03:48) 3 Cant Buy Me Love (02:39) 4 The Sweetest Sounds (02:08) 5 Miss Otis Regrets (03:56) 6 My Man (04:01) 7 How High the Moon (04:01) 8 Volare (02:42) 9 The Thrill Is Gone (03:23) 10 Memories of You (02:49) 11 Lullaby of the Leaves (02:56) 12 Pete Kellys Blues (03:56) |
 | Album: 24 of 49 Title: Ella At Juan-Les-Pins Released: 1964 Tracks: 12 Duration: 40:11 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Day In, Day Out (02:48) 2 Just A-Sittin And A-Rockin (04:03) 3 The Lady Is A Tramp (04:20) 4 Summertime (02:36) 5 St. Louis Blues (06:09) 6 Honeysuckle Rose (04:33) 7 They Cant Take That Away From Me (02:32) 8 Youd Be So Nice To Come Home To (02:46) 9 Somewhere In The Night (01:40) 10 Ive Got You Under My Skin (03:00) 11 The Cricket Song (01:53) 12 How High The Moon (03:51) |
| Ella At Juan-Les-Pins : Allmusic album Review : One of the forgotten live LPs from the career of vocal jazzs most impressive live artist, Ella at Juan-Les-Pins found Ella Fitzgerald at the Fifth Festival Mondial du Jazz Antibes, Juan-les-Pins, France, in July 1964, working with a great group: trumpeter Roy Eldridge, pianist Tommy Flanagan, bassist Bill Yancey, and drummer Gus Johnson. The group doesnt get as much space as they deserve, but with Fitzgerald a commanding presence, its hardly ever felt. And she does give the appreciative crowd the show theyre looking for; whereas most vocalists have treated songs like "Them There Eyes" and "Perdido" as features for their playful side, Fitzgerald simply rips them apart with twisting, turning wordplay, breakneck tempos the band can hardly keep up with, and scats no listener can digest the first or second time through. She wrings all the selfish joi de vivre from "The Lady Is a Tramp" (addressing herself), then, with barely a pause, moves into a carefully paced "Summertime." Two recent crossovers, Barbra Streisands "People" and the Beatles "Cant Buy Me Love," serve as pleasant stopgap items between the real show, and Fitzgerald reprises her legend-making rendition of "Mack the Knife" from Ella in Berlin, describing the entire sorted Brecht-to-Darin-to-Armstrong history of the song while never losing her sense of swing. Throughout, she never fails to energize or charm her audience. | ||
 | Album: 25 of 49 Title: Ella Fitzgerald Sings the Johnny Mercer Song Book Released: 1965 Tracks: 13 Duration: 44:07 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Wikipedia AlbumCover | 1 Too Marvelous for Words (02:32) 2 Early Autumn (03:51) 3 Day In-Day Out (02:49) 4 Laura (03:43) 5 This Time the Dreams on Me (02:53) 6 Skylark (03:11) 7 Single-O (03:19) 8 Something’s Gotta Give (02:35) 9 Trav’lin’ Light (03:48) 10 Midnight Sun (04:54) 11 Dream (02:58) 12 I Remember You (03:38) 13 When a Woman Loves a Man (03:50) |
 | Album: 26 of 49 Title: Whisper Not Released: 1966 Tracks: 12 Duration: 40:46 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic Wikipedia AlbumCover | 1 Sweet Georgia Brown (03:35) 2 Whisper Not (03:04) 3 I Said No (04:04) 4 Thanks for the Memory (04:05) 5 Spring Can Really Hang You Up the Most (03:51) 6 Old MacDonald Had a Farm (02:19) 7 Time After Time (03:31) 8 You’ve Changed (03:19) 9 Ive Got Your Number (03:16) 10 Lover Man (Oh Where Can You Be?) (04:24) 11 Wives and Lovers (02:24) 12 Matchmaker (02:49) |
| Whisper Not : Allmusic album Review : Whoever decided to put pianist Marty Paich and Ella Fitzgerald together in the studio in 1966 deserves a bit of credit for the great music on Whisper Not. Together, Fitzgerald and Paich deliver a dozen beautifully sung, carefully arranged standards. An orchestra tastefully backs Fitzgeralds vocals, offering cushy support without overdoing it. Even lighter pieces like "Sweet Georgia Brown" and "Old MacDonald" are given stately renditions. Theres a fun version of "I Said No," filled with silly double entendres, and a relaxed take on "Thanks for the Memory." Norman Granz takes full advantage of stereo capabilities, creatively mixing the instruments to the right and left tracks while leaving Fitzgeralds voice front and center. Paich adds to the overall sound quality by varying the arrangements from song to song, carefully wrapping each tune in the right package. These fine-tuned arrangements also provide the perfect launching pad for Fitzgerald to place her own stamp on material associated with other singers. While both "Lover Man (Oh Where Can You Be)" and "Youve Changed" will be recognized as Billie Holiday classics, Fitzgerald delivers light, elegant versions that are distinctly her own. Whisper Not captures two intelligent artists working toward a common goal and creating beautiful music in the process. | ||
 | Album: 27 of 49 Title: Ella Fitzgerald Released: 1966 Tracks: 10 Duration: 38:15 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 A Night in Tunisia (04:09) 2 You’re My Thrill (03:39) 3 My Reverie (03:20) 4 Stella by Starlight (03:21) 5 Jersey Bounce (03:36) 6 Cry Me a River (04:16) 7 Good Morning Heartache (04:21) 8 Born to Be Blue (02:45) 9 Spring Can Really Hang You Up the Most (06:15) 10 The Music Goes Round and Around (02:30) |
 | Album: 28 of 49 Title: Brighten the Corner Released: 1967 Tracks: 14 Duration: 44:05 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic Wikipedia AlbumCover | 1 Abide With Me (03:24) 2 Just a Closer Walk With Thee (05:00) 3 The Old Rugged Cross (03:50) 4 Brighten the Corner Where You Are (02:33) 5 I Need Thee Every Hour (03:38) 6 In the Garden (03:14) 7 God Be With You Till We Meet Again (01:19) 8 God Will Take Care of You (03:29) 9 The Church in the Wildwood (03:00) 10 Throw Out the Lifeline (03:12) 11 I Shall Not Be Moved (02:40) 12 Let the Lower Lights Be Burning (02:46) 13 What a Friend We Have in Jesus (04:02) 14 Rock of Ages, Cleft for Me (01:58) |
| Brighten the Corner : Allmusic album Review : Even though Ella Fitzgerald performs 14 religious hymns and the arrangements (which use the Ralph Carmichael Choir and Orchestra) are tasteful and reverent, she cannot help giving a little swing to a few of these songs. The music is taken quite straight and is outside of jazz yet, due to the beauty of her voice, this listenable set is still worth picking up. | ||
 | Album: 29 of 49 Title: Ella Fitzgeralds Christmas Released: 1968 Tracks: 13 Duration: 27:56 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic Wikipedia AlbumCover | 1 O Holy Night (01:48) 2 It Came Upon a Midnight Clear (03:20) 3 Hark the Herald Angels Sing (01:48) 4 Away in a Manger (02:12) 5 Joy to the World (01:40) 6 The First Noel (01:49) 7 Silent Night (02:50) 8 O Come All Ye Faithful (02:44) 9 Sleep, My Little Lord Jesus (02:17) 10 Angels We Have Heard on High (01:45) 11 O Little Town of Bethlehem (02:10) 12 We Three Kings (02:07) 13 God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen (01:26) |
| Ella Fitzgerald's Christmas : Allmusic album Review : Recorded in 1967 and originally released that same year by Capitol Records as an LP (and re-released seasonally several times since then), Ella Fitzgeralds Christmas is a rarity among rarities in that it is a holiday album that actually holds up as a mature artistic statement. Oh, the songs are familiar, with Fitzgerald tackling 13 standards like "Silent Night," "Joy to the World," and "We Three Kings," but in her hands they become vehicles for her precise yet natural-sounding elocution and subtle, confident vocal phrasing. In other words, she sings these songs like theyre fresh and new to the world, and thats no easy task. The end result is one of the best Christmas albums ever made. | ||
 | Album: 30 of 49 Title: Misty Blue Released: 1968 Tracks: 11 Duration: 28:42 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Wikipedia AlbumCover | 1 Misty Blue (02:26) 2 Walking In The Sunshine (02:26) 3 Its Only Love (03:00) 4 Evil On Your Mind (02:15) 5 I Taught Him Everything He Knows (02:42) 6 Dont Let The Doorknob Hit You (02:24) 7 Turn The World Around (02:41) 8 The Chokin Kind (01:59) 9 Born To Lose (03:13) 10 This Gun Dont Care (02:44) 11 Dont Touch Me (02:52) |
 | Album: 31 of 49 Title: 30 by Ella Released: 1968 Tracks: 6 Duration: 52:53 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic Wikipedia AlbumCover | 1 My Mothers Eyes / Try a Little Tenderness / I Got It Bad (And That Aint Good) / Everything I Have Is Yours / I Never Knew (I Could Love Anybody Like Im Loving You) / Goodnight, My Love (12:21) 2 Four or Five Times / Maybe / Taking a Chance on Love / Elmers Tune / At Sundown / Its a Wonderful World (06:18) 3 On Green Dolphin Street / How Am I to Know / Just Friends / I Cried for You / Seems Like Old Times / You Stepped Out of a Dream (07:05) 4 If I Gave My Heart to You / Once in a While / Ebb Tide / The Lamp Is Low / Where Are You / Thinking of You (11:08) 5 Candy / All I Do Is Dream of You / Spring Is Here / 720 In the Books / It Happened in Monterey / What Can I Say After I Say Im Sorry (06:14) 6 No Regrets / Ive Got a Feeling Youre Fooling / Dont Blame Me / Deep Purple / Rain / Youre a Sweetheart (09:47) |
| 30 by Ella : Allmusic album Review : Included here are 30 standards arranged into six extended medleys, showcasing Fitzgeralds extraordinary interpretative powers. Benny Carter is in charge of the arrangements with his "Magnificent Seven" providing the faultless backing. Along the way we also hear some fine fills and solo work from Carter, George Auld, Harry "Sweets" Edison, and pianist Jimmy Jones. As for Ella, she navigates effortlessly through the material, always swinging and scatting in all the right places and sounding right at home no matter which way the music moves. One of the nicer entries to her latter-day recorded legacy. | ||
 | Album: 32 of 49 Title: Ella Released: 1969 Tracks: 10 Duration: 29:08 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Wikipedia Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Get Ready (02:35) 2 The Hunter Gets Captured by the Game (03:01) 3 Yellow Man (02:21) 4 Ill Never Fall in Love Again (02:52) 5 Got to Get You Into My Life (03:06) 6 I Wonder Why (03:12) 7 Ooo Baby Baby (02:44) 8 Savoy Truffle (02:47) 9 Open You Window (02:51) 10 Knock on Wood (03:39) |
| Ella : Allmusic album Review : Ella Fitzgeralds first flirtation with the acid rock era was a 1968 live date with Tommy Flanagan, titled Sunshine of Your Love, but it featured only a pair of songs from rock composers, Creams title song and the Beatles "Hey Jude." (Granted, they were the first two songs on the LP.) One year later, Warner booked studio time at Olympic Studios in London for her to work with producer Richard Perry, a former associate of the Leiber & Stoller crew at the Red Bird label and fresh off a remake of Fats Dominos image (for Fats Is Back). The results here are roughly similar to what he did with Fats; Perry chose songs that were most easily rendered by his artist and most capable of crossing over. Ella submerges herself nearly entirely in the work of rock or R&B stalwarts -- Smokey Robinson, the Beatles, Randy Newman, Harry Nilsson -- and Perry obliges with arrangements anchored by horns, acoustic or electric pianos, and only occasionally, strings. Despite the comfortable backings, its never able to escape the feel of a crossover; on her version of Smokey Robinson & the Miracles "Ooo Baby Baby," Ella makes some wonderful choices during the verses (its easy to see traditional pops influence on Smokey himself), but, on the choruses, shes chained to her backing chorus with poor results. | ||
 | Album: 33 of 49 Title: Things Ain’t What They Used to Be (And You Better Believe It) Released: 1971 Tracks: 12 Duration: 42:55 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Wikipedia Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Sunny (05:17) 2 Mas Que Nada (03:47) 3 A Man and a Woman (03:14) 4 Days of Wine and Roses (02:20) 5 Black Coffee (04:25) 6 Tuxedo Junction (03:15) 7 I Heard It Through the Grapevine (03:45) 8 Dont Dream of Anyone but Me (04:05) 9 Things Ain’t What They Used to Be (03:12) 10 Willow Weep for Me (04:38) 11 Manteca (02:28) 12 Just When We’re Falling in Love (02:29) |
| Things Ain’t What They Used to Be (And You Better Believe It) : Allmusic album Review : Ella Fitzgeralds most eclectic and stylish LP, Things Aint What They Used to Be is a delightful mosaic of contemporary soul hits, perennial standards, and bossa nova numbers that capture the full breadth of the singers genius. Produced by Norman Granz and arranged by Gerald Wilson, the album follows on the heels of the full-blown pop session Ella, adopting a similarly groove-oriented contextual approach but drawing on a more diverse pool of material -- evergreens like "Black Coffee," "Tuxedo Junction," and the sublime "Dont Dream of Anyone but Me" are made fresh and new, revitalized by Wilsons deeply soulful arrangements and Fitzgeralds breathtaking vocal acrobatics. Hits including "Sunny" and "I Heard It Through the Grapevine" are no less rewarding -- Fitzgeralds command of the songs is absolute, adding wrinkles and nuances the hit versions never imagined. | ||
 | Album: 34 of 49 Title: Ella Loves Cole Released: 1972 Tracks: 13 Duration: 41:46 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Allmusic Wikipedia AlbumCover | 1 I Get a Kick Out of You (04:21) 2 Down in the Depths (03:40) 3 At Long Last Love (02:27) 4 Ive Got You Under My Skin (03:17) 5 So Near and Yet So Far (02:21) 6 All of You (02:18) 7 Without Love (02:46) 8 My Heart Belongs to Daddy (02:33) 9 Love for Sale (04:36) 10 Just One of Those Things (03:53) 11 I Concentrate on You (04:06) 12 Anything Goes (02:51) 13 Cest magnifique (02:32) |
 | Album: 35 of 49 Title: Take Love Easy Released: 1974 Tracks: 9 Duration: 37:57 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic Wikipedia AlbumCover | 1 Take Love Easy (04:35) 2 Once I Loved (02:19) 3 Dont Be That Way (04:38) 4 Youre Blasé (03:26) 5 Lush Life (03:34) 6 A Foggy Day (06:09) 7 Gee Baby, Aint I Good to You (04:03) 8 You Go to My Head (05:45) 9 I Want to Talk About You (03:24) |
| Take Love Easy : Allmusic album Review : Ella Fitzgerald and guitarist Joe Pass teamed up in a set of duets for this album which has been reissued on CD. Because the emphasis is on ballads and not all of the songs are that well suited to Fitzgeralds musical personality (particularly "Lush Life" and "I Want to Talk About You"), this set is only a mixed success. Much more successful are "Dont Be That Way" and "A Foggy Day" but this is not one of the more essential Ella Fitzgerald records. | ||
 | Album: 36 of 49 Title: Fitzgerald and Pass... Again Released: 1976 Tracks: 14 Duration: 55:31 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Wikipedia Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 I Aint Got Nothin but the Blues (04:08) 2 Tis Autumn (05:07) 3 My Old Flame (04:53) 4 That Old Feeling (02:49) 5 Rain (02:24) 6 I Didnt Know About You (04:43) 7 You Took Advantage of Me (03:36) 8 Ive Got the World on a String (04:09) 9 All Too Soon (04:27) 10 The One I Love (Belongs to Somebody Else) (04:03) 11 Solitude (03:47) 12 Nature Boy (02:27) 13 Tennessee Waltz (03:51) 14 One Note Samba (Samba de uma nota só) (05:01) |
| Fitzgerald and Pass... Again : Allmusic album Review : The second of three duet albums by Ella Fitzgerald and guitarist Joe Pass finds the duo uplifting 14 superior standards with subtle improvising and gentle swing. High points include the wordless "Rain," "I Aint Got Nothin But the Blues," "That Old Feeling," "You Took Advantage of Me," and "The One I Love"; even "Tennessee Waltz" comes out sounding like classic swing. | ||
 | Album: 37 of 49 Title: Ella and Oscar Released: 1976 Tracks: 9 Duration: 44:42 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Wikipedia AlbumCover | 1 Mean to Me (03:30) 2 How Long Has This Been Going On? (04:59) 3 When Your Lover Has Gone (04:58) 4 More Than You Know (04:37) 5 Theres a Lull in My Life (04:58) 6 Midnight Sun (03:40) 7 I Hear Music (05:12) 8 Street of Dreams (04:08) 9 April in Paris (08:37) |
 | Album: 38 of 49 Title: Dream Dancing: Ella Fitzgerald & Cole Porter Released: 1978 Tracks: 15 Duration: 49:03 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Wikipedia AlbumCover | 1 Dream Dancing (04:02) 2 Ive Got You Under My Skin (03:17) 3 I Concentrate on You (04:06) 4 My Heart Belongs to Daddy (02:33) 5 Love for Sale (04:36) 6 So Near and Yet So Far (02:21) 7 Down in the Depths (03:40) 8 After You (03:14) 9 Just One of Those Things (03:53) 10 I Get a Kick Out of You (04:21) 11 All of You (02:18) 12 Anything Goes (02:51) 13 At Long Last Love (02:27) 14 Cest magnifique (02:32) 15 Without Love (02:46) |
 | Album: 39 of 49 Title: Lady Time Released: 1978 Tracks: 11 Duration: 43:15 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic Wikipedia AlbumCover | 1 Im Walkin (05:39) 2 All or Nothing at All (06:37) 3 I Never Had a Chance (04:09) 4 I Cried for You (Now Its Your Turn to Cry Over Me) (03:22) 5 What Will I Tell My Heart (02:01) 6 Since I Fell for You (04:31) 7 And the Angels Sing (03:12) 8 Im Confessin (That I Love You) (02:54) 9 Mack the Knife (03:02) 10 Thats My Desire (03:07) 11 Im in the Mood for Love (04:37) |
| Lady Time : Allmusic album Review : This LP places Ella Fitzgerald (then 60) in an unusual setting. Joined only by organist Jackie Davis and drummer Louie Bellson, she tackles a wide variety of material that ranges from "Im Walkin" and "I Cried for You" to "Mack the Knife" (which did not need to be remade) and "And the Angels Sing." Not one of her more essential releases, Lady Time does show that even at this fairly late stage in her career, Fitzgerald could outswing just about anyone. | ||
 | Album: 40 of 49 Title: "Fine and Mellow": Ella Fitzgerald Jams Released: 1978 Tracks: 9 Duration: 47:49 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Wikipedia AlbumCover | 1 Fine and Mellow (06:07) 2 Im Just a Lucky So and So (06:41) 3 (I Dont Stand) A Ghost of a Chance With You (05:01) 4 Rockin in Rhythm (06:01) 5 Im in the Mood for Love (03:18) 6 Round Midnight (04:40) 7 I Cant Give You Anything but Love (04:11) 8 The Man I Love (06:47) 9 Polka Dots and Moonbeams (05:00) |
 | Album: 41 of 49 Title: A Classy Pair Released: 1982 Tracks: 9 Duration: 40:31 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Allmusic Wikipedia AlbumCover | 1 Honeysuckle Rose (06:16) 2 My Kind of Trouble Is You (04:43) 3 Teach Me Tonight (03:24) 4 Organ Grinders Swing (06:05) 5 Dont Worry Bout Me (03:39) 6 Im Gettin Sentimental Over You (02:59) 7 Aint Misbehavin (04:05) 8 Just A-Sittin and A-Rockin (04:51) 9 Sweet Lorraine (04:25) |
| A Classy Pair : Allmusic album Review : This studio album matches together Ella Fitzgerald and the Count Basie Orchestra 16 years after they first recorded together. Basies sidemen are unfortunately restricted in the Benny Carter arrangements to backup work but Basie has a few piano solos and Fitzgerald is in good voice and in typically swinging form. Highlights include "Just a Sittin and a Rockin," "Teach Me Tonight" and "Honeysuckle Rose." | ||
 | Album: 42 of 49 Title: The Best Is Yet to Come Released: 1983 Tracks: 10 Duration: 39:59 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic Wikipedia AlbumCover | 1 Dont Be That Way (03:58) 2 God Bless the Child (04:42) 3 I Wonder Where Our Love Has Gone (03:53) 4 Youre Driving Me Crazy (03:23) 5 Any Old Time (04:19) 6 Good Bye (03:58) 7 Autumn in New York (03:24) 8 The Best Is Yet to Come (05:19) 9 Deep Purple (03:57) 10 Somewhere in the Night (03:06) |
| The Best Is Yet to Come : Allmusic album Review : Not a high point lyrically, but her singing is always fine. | ||
 | Album: 43 of 49 Title: Speak Love Released: 1983 Tracks: 10 Duration: 43:27 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic Wikipedia AlbumCover | 1 Speak Low (04:16) 2 Comes Love (03:00) 3 Theres No You (04:48) 4 I May Be Wrong (But I Think Youre Wonderful) (05:10) 5 At Last (04:22) 6 The Thrill Is Gone (04:16) 7 Gone With the Wind (03:57) 8 Blue and Sentimental (03:08) 9 Girl Talk (04:11) 10 Georgia on My Mind (06:12) |
| Speak Love : Allmusic album Review : This set of duets with guitarist Joe Pass finds Ella Fitzgerald near the end of her career. Her voice mostly hinted at her former greatness and the setting was perhaps too intimate for what she had left. Fitzgeralds phrasing remained a joy despite the limited range, but there are many more significant records by the singer than this CD reissue despite touching versions of "Comes Love," "Theres No You" and "Gone with the Wind." | ||
 | Album: 44 of 49 Title: Newport Jazz Festival Live at Carnegie Hall, July 5, 1973 Released: 1985 Tracks: 18 Duration: 1:22:56 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% AlbumCover | 1 Ive Gotta Be Me (03:04) 2 Good Morning Heartache (05:02) 3 Miss Otis Regrets (Shes Unable to Lunch Today) (04:12) 4 Dont Worry Bout Me / These Foolish Things (Remind Me of You) (05:30) 5 Any Old Blue (04:44) 6 A-Tisket, A-Tasket (02:22) 7 Indian Summer (04:41) 8 Smooth Sailing (03:06) 9 You Turned the Tables on Me (05:20) 10 Nice Work If You Can Get It (02:22) 11 Ive Got a Crush on You (02:19) 1 Medley: Cant Get Started / The Young Man With the Horn / round Midnight (09:00) 2 Star Dust (03:31) 3 "C" Jam Blues (11:51) 4 Medley: Taking a Chance on Love / Im in the Mood for Love (03:07) 5 Lemon Drop (05:01) 6 Some of These Days (04:31) 7 People (03:13) |
 | Album: 45 of 49 Title: Easy Living Released: 1986 Tracks: 15 Duration: 56:55 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic Wikipedia AlbumCover | 1 My Ship (04:26) 2 Dont Be That Way (03:03) 3 My Man (03:30) 4 Dont Worry Bout Me (02:48) 5 The Days of Wine and Roses (03:05) 6 Easy Living (04:16) 7 I Dont Stand a Ghost of a Chance With You (06:07) 8 Love for Sale (04:42) 9 Moonlight in Vermont (04:21) 10 On Green Dolphin Street (03:27) 11 Why Dont You Do Right? (02:58) 12 By Myself (03:29) 13 I Want a Little Girl (02:49) 14 Im Making Believe (02:40) 15 Slow Boat to China (05:06) |
| Easy Living : Allmusic album Review : For her third duo recording with guitarist Joe Pass, Ella Fitzgerald swings 15 mostly familiar standards that range from "My Ship" and "Dont Be That Way" to "Why Dont You Do Right?" and "On a Slow Boat to China." Although her voice was visibly fading, Fitzgeralds charm and sense of swing were still very much present. But this CD is not one of her more significant recordings, other than being one of the final chapters. | ||
 | Album: 46 of 49 Title: Cheek to Cheek Released: 1987 Tracks: 16 Duration: 1:10:51 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Cheek to Cheek (05:53) 2 Dont Be That Way (04:57) 3 Lets Call the Whole Thing Off (04:13) 4 Stars Fell on Alabama (03:34) 5 A Fine Romance (03:52) 6 The Nearness of You (05:38) 7 Can’t We Be Friends (03:47) 8 A Foggy Day (04:32) 9 Im Puttin All My Eggs in One Basket (03:25) 10 Moonlight in Vermont (03:38) 11 Love Is Here to Stay (03:59) 12 They Cant Take That Away From Me (04:36) 13 Isnt This a Lovely Day (06:13) 14 Under a Blanket of Blue (04:15) 15 Tenderly (05:00) 16 I’ve Got My Love to Keep Me Warm (03:11) |
 | Album: 47 of 49 Title: Nice Work If You Can Get It Released: 1987-07-10 Tracks: 8 Duration: 36:07 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Allmusic Wikipedia AlbumCover | 1 A Foggy Day (06:11) 2 Nice Work If You Can Get It (05:15) 3 But Not for Me (03:54) 4 Lets Call the Whole Thing Off (02:47) 5 How Long Has This Been Going On? (05:02) 6 Who Cares? (04:31) 7 Ive Got a Crush on You / Someone to Watch Over Me / Embraceable You (04:57) 8 They Cant Take That Away From Me (03:28) |
| Nice Work If You Can Get It : Allmusic album Review : Ella Fitzgerald, who in the late 50s recorded the very extensive George and Ira Gershwin Songbook, revisits their music on this duet outing with pianist André Previn. Her voice was past her prime by this point, but she was able to bring out a lot of the beauty in the ten songs, giving the classic melodies and lyrics tasteful and lightly swinging treatment. Nice Work If You Can Get It is not an essential CD but is a reasonably enjoyable outing. | ||
 | Album: 48 of 49 Title: A Portrait of Ella Fitzgerald: 16 Favourite Songs by the First Lady of Music Released: 1988 Tracks: 16 Duration: 55:41 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% AlbumCover | 1 Manhattan (02:53) 2 Evry Time We Say Goodbye (03:36) 3 Desafinado (02:12) 4 Embraceable You (04:53) 5 Moonlight In Vermont (03:22) 6 How High The Moon (04:02) 7 Someone To Watch Over Me (04:34) 8 Mack The Knife (04:57) 9 But Not For Me (03:35) 10 Lullaby Of Broadway (02:31) 11 The Very Thought Of You (02:48) 12 Where Or When (02:49) 13 Georgia On My Mind (03:31) 14 A Foggy Day (03:34) 15 Cant Buy Me Love (02:38) 16 Begin The Beguine (03:39) |
 | Album: 49 of 49 Title: Clap Hands, Here Comes Charlie! Released: 1989-06-08 Tracks: 17 Duration: 59:27 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Wikipedia AlbumCover | 1 A Night in Tunisia (04:09) 2 You’re My Thrill (03:39) 3 My Reverie (03:20) 4 Stella by Starlight (03:21) 5 Round Midnight (03:31) 6 Jersey Bounce (03:36) 7 Signing Off (03:49) 8 Cry Me a River (04:16) 9 This Years Kisses (02:18) 10 Good Morning Heartache (04:21) 11 (I Was) Born to Be Blue (02:45) 12 Clap Hands, Here Comes Charlie! (02:46) 13 Spring Can Really Hang You Up the Most (06:17) 14 The Music Goes Round and Around (02:30) 15 The One I Love (Belongs to Somebody Else) (02:16) 16 I Got a Guy (03:45) 17 This Could Be the Start of Something Big (02:43) |