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It's well known that Ella's songbook series, beginning in the mid-1950s, gave her career a boost and also focussed renewed attention on the qualities of the great writers such as Cole Porter, Irving Berlin and the Gershwins. Her attention to the output of Ellington was equally welcome because, although jazz snobs rate his instrumental works higher than his songs, the dividing-line is not entirely clear and even the pure songs have an individual language distinct from those on Ella's other albums. The other factor that makes this three-disc set different is that the composer's own band appears on over half of the material, as an instant collaborator in making the songs both compatible with Ella and different from previous Ellington versions. A revealing light is thrown on this process by the new inclusion of 27 minutes of studio rehearsals for a single tune, "Chelsea Bridge". The balance of the original album's tracks, begun before the big-band sessions, have small-group backing featuring variously Oscar Peterson, Barney Kessel, violinist Stuff Smith and ex-Ellingtonian Ben Webster, convincingly complementing the overall concept. --Brian Priestley
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23 of 23 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase
Over the years many superb jazz artists have devoted a whole album to the work of Duke Ellington - Louis Armstrong, Dr. John and Chris Barber spring most readily to mind. Those are all good efforts (especially Louis meets Duke, the Great Summit) but there is one that stands head and shoulders above them all, this supreme effort from the First Lady of Jazz herself, the wonderful Ella Fitzgerald.
This album stands out for several reasons. The breadth of styles embraced, from classinc up-tempo swing to slow melancholy blues, big band to small intimate quartet. Who else but Ella could do justice to all of these numbers? The sheer number of tracks included - most artists pick out 10 or 12 favourites, here we are presented with 40 tracks! And the quality never dips, there is no filler to be found here. The quality of the songs (for such a prolific composer Duke seemed to write very few duff numbers), and, above all, the aristry of the personel. Not just Ella, but the contributions of the Duke himself, his arranger and co-composer Billy Strayhorn and the rest of the Ellington band. Not only that but many of the recordings also feature fine performances from another major jazz figure, Oscar Peterson.
Ella was a fine singer, but always seemed to be pushed to new heights when working with someone of equal stature, listen to her collaborations with Louis Armstrong or Count Basie for example. Here though, she seems to have been pushed to new peaks, rising to the challenge of doing this excellent set of songs justice admirably. She takes each of these songs and makes them her own in a way that very few, if any, artists could ever hope to emulate. What must have Duke thought, sitting there in the studio hearing his creations turned into sublime art right in front him?
For my money these have to be the greatest recordings in the Ella Fitzgerald canon. A must have album for any fans of Ella, Duke, or just good jazz.
This album stands out for several reasons. The breadth of styles embraced, from classinc up-tempo swing to slow melancholy blues, big band to small intimate quartet. Who else but Ella could do justice to all of these numbers? The sheer number of tracks included - most artists pick out 10 or 12 favourites, here we are presented with 40 tracks! And the quality never dips, there is no filler to be found here. The quality of the songs (for such a prolific composer Duke seemed to write very few duff numbers), and, above all, the aristry of the personel. Not just Ella, but the contributions of the Duke himself, his arranger and co-composer Billy Strayhorn and the rest of the Ellington band. Not only that but many of the recordings also feature fine performances from another major jazz figure, Oscar Peterson.
Ella was a fine singer, but always seemed to be pushed to new heights when working with someone of equal stature, listen to her collaborations with Louis Armstrong or Count Basie for example. Here though, she seems to have been pushed to new peaks, rising to the challenge of doing this excellent set of songs justice admirably. She takes each of these songs and makes them her own in a way that very few, if any, artists could ever hope to emulate. What must have Duke thought, sitting there in the studio hearing his creations turned into sublime art right in front him?
For my money these have to be the greatest recordings in the Ella Fitzgerald canon. A must have album for any fans of Ella, Duke, or just good jazz.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
Many will find this classic set better than they imagined and few, if any, will be disappointed.
The enclosed booklet is a real bonus and well worth a good read, which is not always the case.
The music is just a delight with Ella's touch and voice control perfect. She becomes an extention of the brilliant Ellington orchestra.
Some of the songs are sung with a small Ellington based combo rather than the full orchestra and this adds to the overall enjoyment.
The enclosed booklet is a real bonus and well worth a good read, which is not always the case.
The music is just a delight with Ella's touch and voice control perfect. She becomes an extention of the brilliant Ellington orchestra.
Some of the songs are sung with a small Ellington based combo rather than the full orchestra and this adds to the overall enjoyment.
Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase
Simply wonderful! Great music with great players. Cosa desiderare di meglio dalla vita? La produzione Verve è ottima e anche la registrazione è qualitativamente soddisfacente. Un bel disco, proprio.
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