Ken Burns JAZZ Collection: Ella Fitzgerald

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
Throughout much of her career, Ella Fitzgerald was the reigning queen of jazz singers, applying her consummate musicality to uptempo swing and bop material, as well as the usual mix of ballads and show tunes. Fitzgerald's ability to swing was immediately apparent in her early work with drummer Chick Webb, which produced the novelty rhythm hit "A-Tisket, A-Tasket" from 1938. However, the breadth of her talent becomes apparent here with the inspired scat improvising on "Flying Home" from 1945 and the mature balladry of "Nice Work If You Can Get It," recorded with just the accompaniment of pianist Ellis Larkins in 1954. Fitzgerald is heard here in collaboration with some of the greatest names in jazz. There's a 1957 meeting with Louis Armstrong on "Let's Call the Whole Thing Off" and a 1963 encounter with the Basie band on "Shiny Stockings." There's also a sampling of her multivolume Song Book recordings, including a wonderful "Sophisticated Lady" with tenor saxophonist Ben Webster from the Ellington set. Live recordings with her working rhythm section, such as "How High the Moon," are filled with playful exuberance, but there's also restrained artfulness in the introduction to "Blue Skies" and the lyric concentration of "Blues in the Night." --Stuart Broomer

Ken Burns JAZZ Collection: Ella Fitzgerald, Music, Ella Fitzgerald, Ballads, Jazz, Jazz Music, Jazz Vocals, Pop, Standards, Swing, Traditional Pop, Vocal Jazz

Average customer rating:

I'd give it six stars if I could!

I'd give it six stars if I could!

Wonderful

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Ken Burns JAZZ Collection: Ella Fitzgerald
Ella Fitzgerald
Manufacturer: Polygram Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Jazz | Styles | Music
Swing General | Swing Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music
Traditional Jazz General | Traditional Jazz & Ragtime | Jazz | Styles | Music
Vocal Jazz General | Vocal Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music
Traditional Vocal Pop | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music
General | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music
Traditional Pop | Oldies | Pop | Styles | Music
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ASIN: B000050I3O
Release Date: 2000-11-07

A-Tisket A-Tasket
Vote For Mr. Rhythm
Betcha Nickel
Flyin' Home
Nice Work If You Can Get It
Smooth Sailing
Lullaby Of Birdland
Night and Day
Let's Call The Whole Thing Off
Sophisticated Lady
Oh, Lady Be Good!
Blue Skies
Mack The Knife
How High The Moon
Blues In The Night
(You'll Have To Swing It) Mr. Paganini
A Night In Tunisia
Shiny Stockings

Amazon.com

Throughout much of her career, Ella Fitzgerald was the reigning queen of jazz singers, applying her consummate musicality to uptempo swing and bop material, as well as the usual mix of ballads and show tunes. Fitzgerald's ability to swing was immediately apparent in her early work with drummer Chick Webb, which produced the novelty rhythm hit "A-Tisket, A-Tasket" from 1938. However, the breadth of her talent becomes apparent here with the inspired scat improvising on "Flying Home" from 1945 and the mature balladry of "Nice Work If You Can Get It," recorded with just the accompaniment of pianist Ellis Larkins in 1954. Fitzgerald is heard here in collaboration with some of the greatest names in jazz. There's a 1957 meeting with Louis Armstrong on "Let's Call the Whole Thing Off" and a 1963 encounter with the Basie band on "Shiny Stockings." There's also a sampling of her multivolume Song Book recordings, including a wonderful "Sophisticated Lady" with tenor saxophonist Ben Webster from the Ellington set. Live recordings with her working rhythm section, such as "How High the Moon," are filled with playful exuberance, but there's also restrained artfulness in the introduction to "Blue Skies" and the lyric concentration of "Blues in the Night." --Stuart Broomer

Customer Reviews:

I'd give it six stars if I could!.......2001-08-12

Ms. Fitzgerald is the personification of effervescence. She bubbles and sparkles endlessly and this cd is a great introduction. It spans much of her classic material, starting at the beginning. She is so greatly talented and full of warmth. I just love her. I wish I could have met her. Buy this. (wink!)

I'd give it six stars if I could!.......2001-08-12

Ms. Fitzgerald is the personification of effervescence. She bubbles and sparkles endlessly and this cd is a great introduction. It spans much of her classic material, starting at the beginning. She is so greatly talented and full of warmth. I just love her. I wish I could have met her. Buy this. (wink!)

Wonderful.......2001-07-04

18 wonderful songs spanning the years from 1936 to 1963. This album is a wonderful introduction to a wonderful jazz singer. Some of her best work is here, and is guaranteed to make you want to get more Ella. Her scatting and improvisations are second to none. Her Louis Armstrong impression on "Mack the knife" and her Slam Stewart impression on "How high the Moon" are a hoot. What a talented lady. There will never be another Ella. The booklet includes a 2 page essay and a couple of photos. I highly recommend this album, it's a must-have.

Get this CD.......2001-01-11

Having bought many of the Ella Fitzgerald "songbooks" issued on CD, I was skeptical at first if I really needed yet another Ella CD. My skepticism quickly disappeared after listening to this CD. There is a great sampling of all of Ella's music and especially her unique scat music style which is well represented here. Early recordings combined with live recordings demonstrate her technical skill and artistry as a vocal musician. Some of the earliest recorded music reissued here has some background hiss but only on one or two tracks at the most. Do not let the fact that this is part of the Ken Burns Jazz Series discourage you from getting this CD. After purchasing this CD, I decided one can never have too many Ella CDs.

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