Ella Fitzgerald (16)

ELLA FITZGERALD - WISHES YOU A SWINGING CHRISTMAS (1989)

By Pino. THANK YOU very much, on of my favorite Christmas' albums. Kiss.

1. Jingle Bells
2. Santa Claus Is Coming To Town
3. Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas
4. What Are You Doing New Year's Eve?
5. Sleigh Ride
6. The Christmas Song
7. Good Morning Blues
8. Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!
9. Winter Wonderland
10. Rudolph, The Red-Nosed Reindeer
11. Frosty The Snowman
12. White Christmas

It'd be hard to imagine a happier wish than the one this jazz vocal legend wishes her listeners on this urbane-yet-homey collection of holiday favorites. The First Lady of Song recorded these tunes in 1960, at the peak of her interpretive powers. As such, she puts her singular stamp on everything from a sultry vamp like "What Are You Doing New Year's Eve" to the sweet and cozy "The Christmas Song." Even potentially shopworn standards like "Santa Claus Is Comin' to Town" sound fresher when they're coming from Ella Fitzgerald. --David Sprague

ELLA FITZGERALD - A TRIBUTE TO THE FIRST LADY OF SONG: 1918-1996 (1996)

WOW! Thank you very much, Pino.

ELLA FITZGERALD - MACK THE KNIFE: ELLA IN BERLIN (1960)

Shared by Pino. I don't get tired ever of listening to Ella. What a voice, crystalline! Thanks.

1.Gone with the Wind    
2.Misty    
3.The Lady Is a Tramp
4.The Man I Love    
5.Summertime    
6.Too Darn Hot
7.Lorelei    
8.Mack the Knife    
9.How High the Moon    

This LP is a classic. Ella Fitzgerald is heard at the peak of her powers during a Berlin concert that is famous for her unique version of "Mack the Knife"; when she forgot the words in mid-performance, she substituted spontaneous and remarkable lyrics of her own. All of the music (plus four other titles from the same concert) have been reissued on CD but, in one form or another, this music (which also includes a hot version of "How High the Moon") is essential for all serious jazz collections.

ELLA FITZGERALD - Ella in Japan: 'S Wonderful (Live 1964)

Shared by Jon. Thank you very, very much.

Disc 1:
1.Cheek to Cheek
2.Deep Purple       
3.Too Close for Comfort  
4.I Love Being Here with You          
5.Fly Me to the Moon (In OtherWords)         
6.'S Wonderful      
7.I've Got You Under My Skin           
8.Hallelujah I Love Him So              
9.Misty     Burke, Garner    
10.Whatever Lola Wants     
11.Bill Bailey            
12.The Blues (Ella's Blues)    
13.'Round Midnight              
14.I Can't Get Started           
15.Undecided          
16.Jam Session       
 
Disc 2:
1.Cheek to Cheek    
2.Shiny Stockings            
3.Can't Help Lovin' Dat Man             
4.Bill Bailey        
5.Take the "A" Train           
6.Closing/A-Tisket, A-Tasket      
7.Ain't Misbehavin'           
8.My Last Affair    
9.Perdido                
10.Closing/A-Tisket, A-Tasket   

Ella Fitzgerald had recorded live albums in venues ranging from Newport to Berlin to Hollywood when she and a quartet led by Roy Eldridge traveled to Japan in early 1964 for a series of concerts. Norman Granz, the former Verve head and current Fitzgerald manager who accompanied the musicians on their trip, recorded the concerts for release, but the tapes sat unissued in the Verve vaults -- a victim of the surplus of Ella material already recorded but not released -- for nearly 50 years, until the 2011 two-disc reissue Ella in Japan: 'S Wonderful. In the early '60s, Japan was thick with jazz fans, and crowds swarmed the Hibiya Kokaido Public Hall in Tokyo for the January 19 show that is included on the first disc. (The second disc includes a far more exclusive affair, recorded at a hotel a few days later.) Although another live album was recorded and released just a few short months after these shows (Ella at Juan-Les-Pins), the material has few overlaps. Ella is in fine form -- as usual, she turned up the candlepower in front of an audience -- personalizing Peggy Lee's "I Love Being Here with You" early in the program, and even singing in Japanese, to the delight of the crowd, during a stirring "'S Wonderful." The quartet, including Eldrige on trumpet plus pianist Tommy Flanagan, bassist Bill Yancey, and drummer Gus Johnson, are quite adept at sounding bigger than a four-piece, especially on Ella's saucy "Whatever Lola Wants." (Also, an instrumental mini-set of four tracks concludes the first disc.) Raiding the vaults can be a risky proposition, but here, as with the massive four-disc Twelve Nights in Hollywood compilation, fans of Fitzgerald specifically, or great jazz singing in general, will find a wealth of great material. -- allmusic.com

ELLA FITZGERALD - ELLA RETURNS TO BERLIN (1991)

Shared by Jon. I loved it, thanks.

1 Introductions and Announcements                      
2 Give Me the Simple Life            
3 Take the "A" Train         
4 On a Slow Boat to China            
5 Medley: Why Was I Born/Can'tHelp Lovin' Dat Man/People Will Say We're               
6 Intro                  
7 You're Driving Me Crazy                      
8 Rock It for Me                             
9 Witchcraft        
10 Anything Goes            
11 Cheek to Cheek          
12 Misty               
13 Caravan         
14 You'll Have to Swing It (Mr.Paganini)  
15 Mack the Knife           
16 Fanfare for Ella                         
17 'Round Midnight                  
18 Joe Williams' Blues     
19 Fanfare for Ella                          
20 This Can't Be Love    
21 Closing Announcements by Norman Granz

Ella Fitzgerald: Ella Returns to Berlin (1961)
Ella Fitzgerald's Berlin concert of February 13, 1960, highlighted by her ad-lib version of "Mack the Knife," is considered a classic. The performance on this CD dates from the following year and is almost as rewarding. Accompanied by pianist Lou Levy, guitarist Herb Ellis, bassist Wilfred Middlebrooks, and drummer Gus Johnson, she sings 18 songs in a varied and well-paced set. Highlights include "Take the 'A' Train," "Anything Goes," "You'll Have to Swing It (Mr. Paganini)," "'Round Midnight," a new (but less humorous) version of "Mack the Knife," and an encore, "This Can't Be Love," that has the singer joined by the Oscar Peterson Trio. -- allmusic.com

ELLA FITZGERALD - SINGS THE IRVING BERLIN SONG BOOK (1958)

Shared by Pino. Thank you very much.

Disc 1
 
1.Let's Face The Music And Dance
2.You're Laughing At Me
3.Let Yourself Go
4.You Can Have Him
5.Russian Lullaby
6.Puttin' On The Ritz
7.Get Thee Behind Me Satan
8.Alexander's Ragtime Band
9.Top Hat, White Tie, And Tails
10.How About Me?
11.Cheek To Cheek
12.I Used To Be Color Blind
13.Lazy
14.How Deep Is The Ocean (How High Is The Sky)
15.All By Myself
16.Remember

Disc 2
 
1.Supper Time
2.How's Chances?
3.Heat Wave
4.Isn't This A Lovely Day?
5.You Keep Coming Back Like A Song
6.Reaching For The Moon
7.Slumming On Park Avenue
8.The Song Is Ended
9.I'm Putting All My Eggs In One Basket
10.Now It Can Be Told
11.Always
12.It's A Lovely Day Today
13.Change Partners
14.No Strings (I'm Fancy Free)
15.I've Got My Love To Keep Me Warm
16.Blue Skies

Ella Fitzgerald Sings the Irving Berlin Songbook is a 1958 album by the American jazz singer Ella Fitzgerald, with a studio orchestra conducted and arranged by Paul Weston, focusing on the songs of Irving Berlin.
At the inaugural Grammy Awards, Ella Fitzgerald Sings the Irving Berlin Songbook was nominated for the Grammy Award for Album of the Year. Fitzgerald won the Grammy Award for Best Vocal Performance, Female for her performance on this album.
Original recordings produced by Norman Granz
Ella Fitzgerald sings on all tracks accompanied by:
Disc One, tracks 1, 6, 11, 13, and 16 and Disc Two, tracks 3, 8, 12, 15 and 16: Paul Weston’s orchestra: John Best, Pete Candoli, Harry "Sweets" Edison, Don Fagerquist, Manny Klein (trumpet); Ed Kusby, Dick Noel, William Schaefer (trombone); Juan Tizol (valve trombone); Chuck Gentry, Matty Matlock, Ted Nash, Babe Russin, Fred Stulce (woodwinds); Paul Smith (piano); Barney Kessel (guitar); Joe Mondragon (bass); Alvin Stoller (drums); Weston (arranger, conductor).
Recorded March 18, 1958 at Radio Recorders, Hollywood
Disc One, tracks 2, 7, 10, and 14 and Disc Two, tracks 1, 5, 6, 10, and 13: Personnel same as March 18 session above, except add unknown strings.
Recorded March 17, 1958 at Radio Recorders, Hollywood
Disc One, tracks 3, 8, and 9:Paul Weston’s orchestra: Harry "Sweets" Edison (trumpet); Leonard Hartman, Matty Matlock, Ted Nash, Fred Stulce (flute); Paul Smith (piano); Barney Kessel (guitar); Joe Mondragon (bass); Alvin Stoller (drums); Weston (arranger, conductor).
Recorded March 19, 1958 at Radio Recorders, Hollywood
Disc One, tracks 4 and 12 and Disc Two, tracks 2 and 14: Paul Weston’s orchestra: Don Fagerquist (trumpet); Matty Matlock (clarinet); Ted Nash, Babe Russin (tenor saxophone); Chuck Gentry (baritone saxophone); Gene Cipriano (woodwinds); Paul Smith (piano); Barney Kessel (guitar); Jack Ryan (bass); Alvin Stoller (drums); Weston (arranger, conductor).
Recorded March 14, 1958 at Radio Recorders, Hollywood
Disc One, track 5: Unknown viola and harp.
Recorded March 17, 1958 at Radio Recorders, Hollywood
Disc One, track 15 and Disc Two, tracks 4, 7, 9, and 11: Paul Weston’s orchestra: Don Fagerquist (trumpet); Fred Stulce (clarinet); Ted Nash, Babe Russin (tenor saxophone); Chuck Gentry (baritone saxophone); Gene Cipriano (woodwinds); Paul Smith (piano); Barney Kessel (guitar); Jack Ryan (bass); Alvin Stoller (drums); Weston (arranger, conductor).
Recorded March 13, 1958 at Radio Recorders, Hollywood

ELLA FITZGERALD - I GOT THE RHYTHM (1987)

Shared by Pino. Thank you very much.

1. Love is here to stay
2. I got rhythm
3. That certain feeling
4. The half of it, Dearie, blues
5. My cousin in Milwaukee
6. I can't be bothered now
7. They can't take that away from me
8. Clap your hands
9. 'S wonderful
10. Fascinating rhythm
11. Soon
12. Bidin' my time
13. Of thee I sing baby
14. Things are looking up
15. By Strauss
16. Shall we dance

ELLA FITZGERALD - DAY DREAM: The Best of the Duke Ellington Songbook (1995)

Shared by Pino. Thanks, Ella is my favorite of all. Nobody will come close to Ella.

1.Take the "a" Train     
2.Day Dream
3.Everything But You     
4.Azure    
5.Solitude
6.E and D Blues, The
7.Bli-Blip         
9.I Ain't Got Nothin' But the Blues
10.I Got It Bad
11.Just Squeeze Me
12.Cotton Tail
13.Squatty Roo
14.Rocks in My Bed
15.Rockin' in Rhythm
16.Mood Indigo
17.All Too Soon

Ella Fitzgerald's SONGBOOK albums from the mid-'50s are among the most famous records in jazz history, and although she recorded albums dedicated to a number of fine songwriters, from Cole Porter to Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart, it's her tribute to Duke Ellington and his musical partner Billy Strayhorn that's the pinnacle. Backed by the Duke Ellington Orchestra--then at the peak of its powers--and produced by the legendary Norman Granz, Fitzgerald recorded two full volumes of Ellington-Strayhorn compositions, from early standards like "Take the 'A' Train" to the brand-new "The E and D Blues." Many of Fitzgerald's renditions of these tunes are simply definitive. Though this 70-minute compilation is a generous sampler especially suited for neophytes, more zealous fans--either of Ellington or of Fitzgerald--will only be happy with the complete works.

Personnel: Ella Fitzgerald (vocals); Russell Procope (alto saxophone, clarinet); Johnny Hodges (alto saxophone); Jimmy Hamilton (tenor saxophone, clarinet); Frank Foster, Paul Gonsalves, Ben Webster (tenor saxophone); Harry Carney (baritone saxophone, bass clarinet, clarinet); Cat Anderson, Shorty Baker, Willie Cook, Dizzy Gillespie, Ray Nance, Clark Terry (trumpet); Quentin Jackson, John Sanders, Britt Woodman (trombone); Stuff Smith (vibraphone); Duke Ellington, Billy Strayhorn, Oscar Peterson (piano); Herb Ellis, Barney Kessel (guitar); Jimmy Woode, Ray Brown, Joe Mondragon (bass); Sam Woodyard (drums).

ELLA FITZGERALD - ELLA ABRAÇA JOBIM (1981)

By Pino. Thanks a lot, my friend. My uncle, Oscar Castro Neves, was part of the musicians in this recording and he uses to say that he does not believe until today, that he played with divas like Ella, Sarah, etc.
We agreed that Ella is/was the best.

01 - Dreamer (Vivo Sonhando)
02 - This Love That I've Found (Só Tinha de Ser Com Você)
03 - The Girl from Ipanema
04 - Somewhere in the Hills
05 - Photograph
06 - Wave
07 - Triste
08 - Quiet nights of quiet stars
09 - Water to drink
10 - Bonita
11 - Desafinado
12 - He's a Carioca
13 - Dindi
14 - How insensitive
15 - One note samba
16 - Felicidade
17 - Useless landscape

    Ella Fitzgerald - Vocals
    Clark Terry - Trumpet
    Zoot Sims - Tenor Saxophone
    Toots Thielemans - Harmonica
    Henry Trotter - Keyboard
    Mike Lang
    Clarence McDonald
    Joe Pass - Guitar
    Oscar Castro-Neves
    Paul Jackson
    Mitch Holder
    Ronald Bautiste
    Abraham Laboriel - Double Bass
    Alex Acuña - Drums
    Paulinho da Costa - Percussion

Ella Abraça Jobim or Ella Fitzgerald Sings the Antonio Carlos Jobim Songbook is a 1981 studio album by Ella Fitzgerald, devoted to the songs of Antonio Carlos Jobim. It was reissued on CD in 1991, although the CD version does not include the songs "Don't Ever Go Away" and "Song of the Jet". Though it is subtitled as such, this album is not usually considered part of Fitzgerald's 'Songbook' series, the last of the 'Songbook' albums having been recorded in 1964. It was Fitzgerald's first album of music devoted to a single composer since 1972's Ella Loves Cole, and it was her only album recorded entirely in the Bossa Nova style, though she had been singing Jobim's songs since the mid-1960s.
Fitzgerald never worked with Antonio Carlos Jobim, though she appeared alongside Frank Sinatra for a 1967 television special that also featured Jobim. Ella Abraça Jobim translates (with a pun) as 'She Hugs Jobim' (Ela Abraça Jobim) in Portuguese.

ELLA FITZGERALD - ELLA AT THE OPERA HOUSE (1958)

1. It's All Right With Me     
2. Don Cha Go Way Mad
3. Bewitched, Bothered And Bewildered
4. These Foolish Things
5. Ill Wind
6. Goody, Goody
7. Moonlight In Vermont     
8. Them There Eyes    
9. Stompin' At The Savoy     
10. It's All Right With Me
11. Don Cha Go Way Mad
12. Bewitched, Bothered And Bewildered
13. These Foolish Things
14. Ill Wind
15. Goody, Goody
16. Moonlight In Vermont
17. Stompin' At The Savoy     
18. Oh, Lady Be Good

Ella at the Opera House is a 1958 (see 1958 in music) live album by Ella Fitzgerald. The album presents a recording of the 1957 Jazz at the Philharmonic Concerts. This series of live jazz concerts was devised by Fitzgerald's manager Norman Granz, they ran from 1944 to 1983. Featured on this occasion, in 1957, are Ella Fitzgerald and the leading jazz players of the day in an onstage jam session. Opening with a performance that was recorded on the 29th of September 1957 at the Chicago Opera House, the second half of the album highlights the Jazz at the Philharmonic Concert recorded on the 7th of October 1957 at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles.

This album is typical of Ella's concert repertoire in the mid 50's, singing swing standards, and songs referencing her recent 'Songbook' series, in this case, the Cole Porter and Rodgers and Hart songbooks. It is also interesting to marvel at Ella's consistency in timing these songs, that six months apart, she sings the first four songs of both concerts in exactly the same time.

ELLA FITZGERALD - SPIRITUALS (1967)

1. Old Rugged Cross    
2. Just a Closer Walk With Thee    
3. Brighten the Corner Where You Are    
4. I Need Thee Every Hour    
5. God Be With You Till We Meet Again    
6. The Church in the Wildwood    
7. I Shall Not Be Moved    
8. What a Friend We Have in Jesus    
9. In the Garden    
10. Throw Out the Lifeline

If you were raised in a home where gospel songs were the soundtrack of your life, then Ella Fitzgerald's "Spirituals" is a must have for your CD collection. What Ella reminds us is that it's not how challenging of an arrangement, its singing with style and finesse that makes a song meaningful.
By She Who Reads.

ELLA FITZGERALD & GORDON JENKINS - MISS ELLA AND MR GORDON INVITE YOU TO LISTEN AND RELAX (1955)

1.I Wished On The Moon    
2.Baby    
3.I Hadn't Anyone Till You ( 1949 Version )
4.A Man Wrote A Song
5.Who's Afraid (Not I, Not I, Not I)
6.Happy Talk
7.Black Coffee
8.Lover's Gold    
9.I'm Gonna Wash That Man Right Outa My Hair    
10.Dream A Little Longer
11.I Need
12.Foolish Tears

Miss Ella Fitzgerald & Mr Gordon Jenkins Invite You to Listen and Relax is a collection of material recorded by Ella Fitzgerald between 1949 and 1954, all tracks were arranged by Gordon Jenkins. All tracks were previously only available on 78rpm singles. The album was compiled and released by Decca in 1955.

ELLA FITZGERALD - ELLA SINGS GERSHWIN (1951)

 

Side One

1.Someone to Watch Over Me
2.My One and Only
3.But Not for Me
4.Looking For a Boy

Side Two

1.I've Got a Crush on You
2.How Long Has This Been Going On?
3.Maybe
4.Soon

Ella Sings Gershwin is a 1950 album by Ella Fitzgerald, accompanied by the pianist Ellis Larkins. Issued on DL5300 on the Decca label, this was Fitzgerald's first album. Originally on 10" vinyl, which preceded album releases on 12" vinyl, it featured eight tracks. The complete album was combined with Fitzgerald's 1954 album Songs in a Mellow Mood and re-issued on CD in 1994 by MCA Records on the GRP Jazz label under the title Pure Ella.

 

ELLA FITZGERALD - LADY TIME (1978)

1. I'm Walkin'    
2. All Or Nothing At All    
3. I Never Had A Chance    
4. I Cried For You (Now It's Your Turn To Cry Over Me)    
5. What Will I Tell My Heart?    
6. Since I Fell For You    
7. And The Angels Sing    
8. I'm Confessin' (That I Love You)    
9. Mack The Knife    
11. I'm In The Mood For Love

This CD 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 "I'm 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, Ella Fitzgerald could outswing just about anyone. ~ Scott Yanow

ELLA FITZGERALD - HELLO LOVE (1960)

 

1.You Go To My Head
2.Willow Weep For Me
3.I'm Thru With Love
4.Spring Will Be A Little Late This Year
5.Everything Happens To Me
6.Lost In A Fog
7.I've Grown Accustomed To His Face
8.I'll Never Be The Same
9.So Rare
10.Tenderly
11.Stairway To The Stars
12.Moonlight In Vermont

Recorded early in her long tenure with Verve, this is vintage Ella Fitzgerald: a dozen classic love songs, skillfully arranged by Frank DeVol, and caressed with the unmistakable touch of the First Lady of Song.

ELLA FITZGERALD - THESE ARE THE BLUES (1990)

1. Jailhouse Blues
2. In The Evening (When The Sun Goes Down)
3. See, See Rider
4. You Don't Know My Mind
5. Trouble In Mind
6. How Long, How Long Blues
7. Cherry Red
8. Down Hearted Blues
9. St. Louis Blues
10. Hear Me Talking To Ya

Ella Fitzgerald was celebrated for many things throughout her long career, but never for being a blues singer, so this remarkable foray into classic blues, recorded in 1963, may come as something of a surprise. This is an arresting examination of some classic blues songs, variously associated with Ma Rainey, Alberta Hunter, Bessie Smith, and Leroy Carr, and ranging further afield for Joe Turner's "Cherry Red." Though Fitzgerald's voice is usually noted for its lightness and flexibility, it often assumes a stateliness here that suits the more somber material. She's accompanied by an excellent band, with frequent collaborators Roy Eldridge, Ray Brown, Herb Ellis, and Gus Johnson. The unusual presence of organist Wild Bill Davis, whose fulsome approach adds to the sheer majesty of the material, emphasizes a kinship with gospel music. --Stuart Broomer