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Amazon.co.uk
George and Ira Gershwin are probably the songwriters who have contributed the most standards to the American repertory, and Fitzgerald covers pretty much all of them in this mammoth enterprise. (The 53 songs were recorded in 1959 and originally came out in a five-LP box set.) Considering the scope of this collection, naming titles would be futile: rest assured that your favourite Gershwin tune is likely to be included. The singer's well-known versatility and musicality are in evidence, but what's especially amazing is the complete symbiosis between her and arranger/conductor Nelson Riddle. Fresh off injecting a shot of swing into Sinatra's career, Riddle enhances Fitzgerald's vocals rather than overwhelming them, and Fitzgerald, in turn, is stimulated by the musicians percolating behind her. Pure genius. --Elisabeth Vincentelli
Product Description
4CD ..Songbook
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
14 of 14 people found the following review helpful
By JJA Kiefte
Format:Audio CD
Seldom if ever was there a more felicitous collaboration between a couple of tunesmiths like the Gershwins, a female warbler like Miss Fitzgerald and a rapier waver like Nelson Riddle than on this set. While there may be more jazz on the Mercer Songbook, more incisive lyrics on the Arlen Songbook, more variety in the accompaniment on the Rodgers & Hart Songbook etc., none of the other albums have the same unique sense of 'rightness', when everything falls into place, where all details fit together like pieces of a big jigsaw puzzle to make one satisfying whole.
This set has a slight edge over the earlier three disc album (which is still available) in that there are some alternative versions added on disc four and some extra music (two orchestral pieces, which are not all that interesting, and one tune which in the narrow sense doesn't belong here, but which is one of the most famous Gershwin tunes: "Somebody Loves Me"), but most of all because of the digital restoration, the extensive liner notes and the complete discographical data (including orchestral personel).
Very warmly recommended!
This set has a slight edge over the earlier three disc album (which is still available) in that there are some alternative versions added on disc four and some extra music (two orchestral pieces, which are not all that interesting, and one tune which in the narrow sense doesn't belong here, but which is one of the most famous Gershwin tunes: "Somebody Loves Me"), but most of all because of the digital restoration, the extensive liner notes and the complete discographical data (including orchestral personel).
Very warmly recommended!
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
By Dr. H. A. Jones
TOP 500 REVIEWER
Format:Audio CD
This is generally acknowledged as the greatest of the eight superb selections that Ella Fitzgerald made from the Great American Songbook. Good though the first two volumes were, Norman Granz as producer excelled himself here because he was able to secure the services of Nelson Riddle as arranger and orchestral director. Andre Previn once remarked that these were the greatest selection of popular arrangements in one album he had ever heard.
The versatility of Nelson Riddle's arrangements would astonish anyone not familiar with his talents. It was he who resurrected Frank Sinatra's singing career in the early 1950s after he had been in the doldrums for several years after his `bobby-soxer' success in the early 1940s. In the 1940s Nat `King' Cole was known and respected as a great jazz pianist with his Trio. But then he started singing and the fans wanted more. It was Nelson Riddle who developed his career at Capitol Records too in the early 1950s. Riddle has accompanied pop singers like Linda Ronstadt and opera stars like Kiri te Kanawa. He has arranged at least 50 tunes on record in different styles for different artists. All this breadth of talent and experience expresses itself here.
George Gershwin's melodies with lyrics most often by his brother Ira are some of the best known and most performed in the popular music repertoire. In this selection we are treated to nearly 60 tunes and a number of alternative takes of popular numbers like `But not for me' and (perhaps not the most appropriate selection for Ella) `Lady be good'. Nelson has added an orchestral version of The Ambulatory Suite (remember Astaire `Walking the dog' on deck in the movie with Ginger Rogers, Shall We Dance?) and also orchestrated Gershwin's Three Piano Preludes.... Read more ›
The versatility of Nelson Riddle's arrangements would astonish anyone not familiar with his talents. It was he who resurrected Frank Sinatra's singing career in the early 1950s after he had been in the doldrums for several years after his `bobby-soxer' success in the early 1940s. In the 1940s Nat `King' Cole was known and respected as a great jazz pianist with his Trio. But then he started singing and the fans wanted more. It was Nelson Riddle who developed his career at Capitol Records too in the early 1950s. Riddle has accompanied pop singers like Linda Ronstadt and opera stars like Kiri te Kanawa. He has arranged at least 50 tunes on record in different styles for different artists. All this breadth of talent and experience expresses itself here.
George Gershwin's melodies with lyrics most often by his brother Ira are some of the best known and most performed in the popular music repertoire. In this selection we are treated to nearly 60 tunes and a number of alternative takes of popular numbers like `But not for me' and (perhaps not the most appropriate selection for Ella) `Lady be good'. Nelson has added an orchestral version of The Ambulatory Suite (remember Astaire `Walking the dog' on deck in the movie with Ginger Rogers, Shall We Dance?) and also orchestrated Gershwin's Three Piano Preludes.... Read more ›
14 of 16 people found the following review helpful
By mollyman
Format:Audio CD
Wonderful songs and a seemingly effortless delivery. The best of the songbooks series by a mile. Aural sunshine!
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase
By far the best of any of the songbooks Ella Fitzgerald made "The George and Ira Gershwin" songbook is a tour de force of pure genius from Ella and legendary arranger Nelson Riddle. Originally released as 5 albums in 1959 this new re-release of the project has had a digital remastering with the addition of bonus takes and mixes etc.
In January 1959 Ella and Riddle embarked on an ambitious project to record all of George and Ira Gershwin's music, some of which had not even been recorded at the time! Riddle was coming off some of his best work with Sinatra and Ella was vocally in her prime at this point in her career. The recording was done over a few sessions ending in Aug/Sep of 1959, by the end of recording 53 songs plus several instrumental cuts, both must have been exhausted!
With so many songs on here it's hard to pick out a few that are the best but if i had to my choice cuts would be - "S Wonderful" "Who cares" "Oh lady be good" "I've got beginners luck" and "That certain feeling" but there are a myriad of others equally deserving of high praise, Riddle's arrangements of the material are sublime and with Ella in her prime the whole album is majestic from start to finish.
Ira Gershwin ( who was still alive at the time) commented after the record was released that he never knew he and his brothers songs could sound so good! Also legendary musician Andre Previn was so impressed with Riddle's work on the album he recommended him to various people in the business for muscial projects.
With this new re-release there comes an additional disc of outakes and mono recordings which are very welcome and the booklet is very informative stating all the musicians, recording dates and interviews with the personnel involved.... Read more ›
In January 1959 Ella and Riddle embarked on an ambitious project to record all of George and Ira Gershwin's music, some of which had not even been recorded at the time! Riddle was coming off some of his best work with Sinatra and Ella was vocally in her prime at this point in her career. The recording was done over a few sessions ending in Aug/Sep of 1959, by the end of recording 53 songs plus several instrumental cuts, both must have been exhausted!
With so many songs on here it's hard to pick out a few that are the best but if i had to my choice cuts would be - "S Wonderful" "Who cares" "Oh lady be good" "I've got beginners luck" and "That certain feeling" but there are a myriad of others equally deserving of high praise, Riddle's arrangements of the material are sublime and with Ella in her prime the whole album is majestic from start to finish.
Ira Gershwin ( who was still alive at the time) commented after the record was released that he never knew he and his brothers songs could sound so good! Also legendary musician Andre Previn was so impressed with Riddle's work on the album he recommended him to various people in the business for muscial projects.
With this new re-release there comes an additional disc of outakes and mono recordings which are very welcome and the booklet is very informative stating all the musicians, recording dates and interviews with the personnel involved.... Read more ›
By brian 7
Format:MP3 Download|Amazon Verified Purchase
Ella, George & Ira Gershwin + Nelson Riddle It Does`t Get Any Better Than This, The Singer The Song And The
Nelson Riddle Orchestra. Well Done Amazon.
Nelson Riddle Orchestra. Well Done Amazon.
Format:Audio CD
Ella Firzgerald delivers here as she has done with al the other songbook albums. Buy it and be enthralled
By Ian Whyte
Format:Audio CD
On hearing Ella's recording of the songbook, Ira Gershwin said "I didn't realise we were that good". They were, so is Ella and Nelson Riddle too. As close as possible to pefection.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Ella Fitzgerald songs
Various main-stream Fitzgerald songs, mostly done with Nelson Riddle and his Orchestra, so her voice is in fine fettle. Highly recommended.
Published 20 months ago by J. F. Pye
4.0 out of 5 stars
What a great combination
Fans of Gershwin and Ella are in for a treat with this special box set. It totally fits the bill for a chilled out evening or lazy Sunday. Read more
Published on 20 Nov 2001
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