Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Where music becomes art, January 10, 2003
By A Customer
I rarely write reviews of products (they speak for themselves) but after readings "Brian"'s review of this recording, I felt compelled. (Brian must be among the group of people who like to criticize just to make themselves feel better... they feel themselves authorities in some manner). Ella Fitzgerald singing the Gershwin Songbook has to be in the top two recorded piceces of popular music of all time ("Judy at Carnegie" is the only other contender for number one). There is no other artist who captures the essence of the Gershwins as Ella in this set. The orchestration is full and rich ,but does not distract from Ella's voice. The scores are kept authentic... Ella does not try to "sell" or "personalize" the songs like Sinatra did with Cole Porter's music. Yes, there are some Gershwin tunes here that the masses may not have heard, but that doesn't make them less valuable than the "Lady Be Good"'s and the "They Can't Take that Away from Me"'s. The art of music is in interpretation and Ella interprets Gershwin like no other. Where else have you heard Gershwin so completely and purely interpreted? I challenge anyone to find a similar recording, period. ***** is not high enough.
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12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Smoke Alarm Award Winner, July 24, 2001
If I had to flee my pad with only one item, it would be this box set. O.k, that's kind of cheating because I'd be taking more than CD out with me, but what the heck -- it's my place going up in smoke, isn't it? Ella's silky yet crystal-clear voice with perfect intonation and inflection, combined with the unsurpassable songs of George and Ira Gershwin and the orchestrations of Nelson Riddle make this a classic in every sense of the word. If at least three of the songs in this box set don't give you goosebumps I will come over and mow your lawn. The ending of "The Man I Love" will propel you into the troposphere. This set is a once-in-a-century combination of musical talent. It is a pure joy.
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8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
ELLA,NELSON,THE GERSHWINS,PURE CLASSIC MAGIC, November 30, 2001
YOU MUST BUY THIS CD...Anyone not familiar with the three names above, who wants to hear great songs by the Great Gershwins in a nice,whizbang set will go bonkers over Ella singing these tunes with the great Nelson Riddle arranging.In fact,no other straight Gershwin set comes close.Remember, these tunes were written in the 1920's-1930's. They are as fresh now as ever,and this CD collection proves it.True,a couple of them(say "I've Got You Under My Skin","Love is Here to Stay") have had better interpretations(mainly Frank and Nelson a year or two earlier).But,still this CD is loaded with freshness,wit,humor,and razzle dazzle bounciness.For swingers don't miss "Things are Looking Up","Who Cares","Soon","Of Thee I Sing","You've Got What Gets Me",and my favorite "Slap that Bass." The greatness here is that many of these songs have not been recorded over and over,so that many listeners,even jazz fans,may hear some (seemingly)brand new tunes.In fact,every song here is worth repeat listenings,and there are NO duds here,amazing for a 53-song CD.The ballads are just as good, from the familiar like "The Man I Love","A Foggy Day",to less known pieces like "Oh So Nice Nice",and "My One and Only". After hearing this CD you'll realize why Ella was called the "First Lady of Song".This is a timeless collection,I think Ella's tip top. And listen to the lyrics too,some of the most amusing and at times heart rending ever composed.The sad thing is that one will spend a freezing day you know where before hearing anything like this in the new song scene today.
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