Ella Fitzgerald Sings the George and Ira Gershwin Song Book - 3CD Set [Box set]

Ella Fitzgerald | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 25, 1990)
• Number of Discs: 1
• 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 Records
• ASIN: B0000046WV
• Also Available in: Audio Cassette  |  Vinyl
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #33,555 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

Disc: 1

1. Sam And Delilah

2. But Not For Me

3. My One And Only

4. Let's Call The Whole Thing Off

5. Beginner's Luck

6. Oh, Lady Be Good

See all 17 tracks on this disc

Disc: 2

1. Looking For A Boy

2. They All Laughed

3. My Cousin In Milwaukee

4. Somebody From Somewhere

5. Foggy Day, A

6. Clap Yo' Hands

See all 18 tracks on this disc

Disc: 3

1. Love Is Sweeping The Country

2. Treat Me Rough

3. Love Is Here To Stay

4. Slap That Bass

5. Isn't It A Pity?

6. Shall We Dance

See all 18 tracks on this disc

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars As good as it gets, December 21, 1998

By 

R. McCreery (Dallas, TX, USA) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Ella Fitzgerald Sings the George and Ira Gershwin Song Book - 3CD Set (Audio CD)

If I have any warning at all before I leave this world, I will ask to hear Fitzgerald singing Gershwin while I eat my last meal.

On the heels of Ella, the glory of the angels' voices won't be so much of a shock.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Ella & George are just outstanding!, July 1, 2009

By 

Giradman - See all my reviews

This review is from: Ella Fitzgerald Sings the George and Ira Gershwin Song Book - 3CD Set (Audio CD)

First, I own the ENTIRE Ella Songbooks - a body of work in American popular song that is beyond reproach and will never appear again on this planet - a must listening if not an ownership!

Now, I'm not going to comment on all of the wonderful performances in this entire set, but must at least 'elevate' the overall rating of the 3 discs of the Gershwin brothers - one reviewer (I think mistakeningly down rated his star rating, i.e. 2*, despite his/her glowing comments) - thus, I'm simply putting this set into a better perspective.

Please, ignore a 2* rating, this is certainly 4 if not 5* - Ella does just a superb job in interpreting these songs; now whether you like them more 'jazzy' or w/ strings is another issue, but give them a chance, a decision not to be regetted!

5.0 out of 5 stars Ella's best songbook and her first with Nelson Riddle!!, December 24, 2011

By 

Dennis W. Wong - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Ella Fitzgerald Sings the George and Ira Gershwin Song Book - 3CD Set (Audio CD)

I read in a book on Nelson Riddle that Ella Fitzgerald had wanted him for her first songbook which was on Cole Porter but unfortunately Riddle was booked with Nat King Cole and at times Sinatra so he was unavailable in '56. Fortunately three years he became available and perhaps it was serendipity or fate but when these two artists recorded the Gershwin songbook--it became an instant classic. I believe Riddle was at the peak of his arranging powers and Ella was in full voice with none of the wobbly vibrato that would later mar her last session with Riddle- "Dream Dancing", I believe on Pablo also produced by Norman Granz. But this set is a must have if you're into Ella's songbook series and of course this musical marriage between these two pros would result in six albums. Riddle was quoted as saying that Ella was his favorite female singer and his sensitivity to her artistry is brilliantly reflected in this album. For instance, Riddle took the risk of slowing down a tune that Ella had performed as a quick tempo scat song, but here the song takes a poignant meaning that makes this version a near classic on a par with the duo's rendition of "The Man I Love". In fact I believe this album is so popular that one can only purchase used since all the original copies are sold out. Nevertheless if you like Ella with Riddle, this songbook is the one to start with as well as their other two in the series, the Jerome Kern and Johnny Mercer songbooks.