75th Anniversary Celebration [Box set]

Ella Fitzgerald | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (March 30, 1993)
• Original Release Date: March 30, 1993
• Number of Discs: 2
• Format: Box set
• Note on Boxed Sets: During shipping, discs in boxed sets occasionally become dislodged without damage. Please examine and play these discs. If you are not completely satisfied, we'll refund or replace your purchase.
• Label: Verve
• ASIN: B000003N3L
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #119,071 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

In the first decades of her career, Ella Fitzgerald took her considerable gifts as a vocalist--near-flawless intonation, precise diction, and a joyous sense of swing--and gradually transformed herself into one of the few great jazz singers, a master of roller-coaster improvisation and a consummate interpreter of standards. This two-CD set is an excellent sampling of her Decca recordings from 1938 to 1955, beginning with "A-Tisket, A-Tasket," the scintillating nonsense song that became her first hit as featured vocalist with Chick Webb's big band. The '40s recordings present Fitzgerald's broadening skills with a cross section of fine performers, including the Mills Brothers and Louis Armstrong, while the '50s are highlighted by her increasingly subtle skills with melodic variation and the nuances of lyrics. --Stuart Broomer

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Best of Ella Fitzgerald's Decca recordings, February 21, 2001

By 

Paul A. Tassone "Music Lover" (Glenwood, NSW , Australia) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: 75th Anniversary Celebration (Audio CD)

The recording career of Ella Fitzgerald remains one of the greatest in all popular and jazz music. Her recordings remain definitive among those of her contemporaries. While her Verve recordings (1956-1966) hold pride of place in her vast catalogue, it should not be forgotten than her recordings for other labels have equal merit. These include those she made for the Decca label (1936-1955).

This fine compilation of the best of her Decca recordings provides some fine examples of her work for label while displaying the development of the greatest female singer in popular and jazz music of the 20th Century. Beginning with the girlish sounds of her work with Chick Webb from the 1930's through to be-bop sides of the 1940's and the lush ballads of the 1950's, this compilation presents a fine sampling of her work.

The tracks were personally selected by Milt Gabler, producer of much of the material found here. The extensive liner notes and beautiful packaging add much to the overall appeal of this set which was released in tribute of the first lady of song on her 75th birthday. It is a must for all fans of this remarkable singer as well as those interested in hearing material from the first two decades of her recording career.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Ella's Best on Decca!, June 7, 2006

By 

Todd Bartholomew (Atlanta, GA USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 500 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: 75th Anniversary Celebration (Audio CD)

Box sets and greatest hits compilations are the audio equivalent of a Whitman's Sampler; there's a lot to choose from and you may not like everything in it. Those compiling box sets face the challenge of what to include and exclude which is complicated when the artist has as lengthy and prolific a career as Ella Fitzgerald. Suffice to say it would be hard to get any two Ella Fitzgerald fans to agree on a track listing as they'll differ on interests such as which era, which genre, which styles, and other issues. Most of what's included here are some of her better known tracks from 1938 to 1955; her most productive years and a pretty broad span of time! There certainly are tracks here I'd exclude and others I'd have like to seen included, but "75th Birthday Celebration" is a good survey of Ella as an artist during her years with the Decca label, albeit an incomplete one. And like the Whitman's Sampler there's enough here to give you an idea of what you like and can pursue elsewhere. The recordings were re-mastered and sound much better than other re-re-releases and the accompanying booklet provides a nice amount of information on Ella and her career. A great starting point!

5.0 out of 5 stars A Young and Swinging Ella Fitzgerald, March 18, 2011

By 

F. Morris Rosman "Ella Expert" (Southern California) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: 75th Anniversary Celebration (Audio CD)

I am SO glad that I have this two cd set in my collection - it's fabulous.
Two whole discs of Ella's early recordings - she recorded for Decca before she moved over to Verve with the great Norman Granz.
The songs are wonderful and the quality is amazingly good.
This set is a must-have for lovers of both Ella Fitzgerald and American Popular Song of the 20th Century.