30 By Ella [Extra tracks, Original recording reissued, Original recording remastered, Import]

Ella Fitzgerald | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (June 29, 1999)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Extra tracks, Original recording reissued, Original recording remastered, Import
• Label: EMI Europe Generic
• ASIN: B00000JCGI
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Audio Cassette  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #316,604 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Nobody's too sure where this idea came from or what it hoped to accomplish. This 1968 oddity includes a half-dozen six-song medleys, each with five vocals and an instrumental, and the CD adds a scat showcase from the same sessions. Yet the unshakable Miss Fitzgerald comes through in the clutch, delivering luxurious readings of these standards and sounding completely comfortable in doing so, despite her initial reluctance. And with veterans such as Benny Carter, Sweets Edison, George Auld, John Collins, Jimmy Jones, and Louis Bellson behind her, what can be so bad? In fact, if you can adjust to the concept as smoothly and good-humoredly as Ella herself, you may find this to be a particularly sumptuous, warm, and charming set. --Marc Greilsamer

Product Description

(724352009022)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Hidden Treasure, December 6, 2000

By 

Peter (East of Los Angeles) - See all my reviews

This review is from: 30 By Ella (Audio CD)

I've been listening to Ella's music for years and had no idea this recording even existed! I happened to stumble upon it at a friend's house and now I have my own copy from Amazon! It's like finding a hidden treasure buried in sand. The 30 songs here are grouped into 6 medleys and backed by an outstanding band, lead by Benny Carter. It's refreshing to hear Ella without a huge orchestra, just a crack band with expert backing by the likes of Louis Bellson and George Auld. Ella sounds absolutely wonderful at the age of 52 (this was made in 1969). She still had the luster of her youth, but at this point in her career, incorporating added emotion and experience in her singing. She oft been (unfairly) criticized for lacking the emotional depth of a Billie Holiday or Dinah Washington. Well, Ella certainly proves her naysayers here wrong with a warm, tender, and often, if needed, wistful, reflective performance. Her interpretation of the songs here is simply breathtaking. And some of those very same songs are associated with her contemporaries---Billie, Dinah and Sarah. The signature Fitzgerald clarity and swing are evident, with the surprising emotional wallop added in for good measure. I only wish they had extended some of the numbers to their full length instead of taking them as a medley, but half is better than none.

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The best!, February 5, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: 30 By Ella (Audio CD)

In my opinion, this is the best of Ella's smooth and mellow style. There are actually only 4 tracks, but with a medly of 7-8 songs on each track. There is no scat. It was recorded at the time that Ella was at her peak.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Quiet Capital Release, August 17, 2005

By 

James Fenos "music freak" (Columbus, OH United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: 30 By Ella (Audio CD)

Ella released this Capital records recording as a follow up to her debut on that label, her second Christmas album. Ella must have been going through a phase in her life where she was exploring her spiritual side because this lp was the only one on Capital not sacred in nature. The bulk of her Capital recordings remain out of print, the only release that compiled some of these recordings is "Ella's Greatest Hits, Her Capital Recordings" released on the Curb label. I believe this was to be a concept album of sorts, each medley follows a theme and the arrangements differ from each track somewhat. Ella's vocal ability is still present and she can "morph" from a small combo to a big band setting effortlessly, her little girl voice has slightly matured and had become a bit more intimate.