Customer Reviews

Ella Swings Lightly

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If you are already familiar with the sweet and peerless voice of the late First Lady of Swing, and you don't possess this album, than what are you waiting for? If you have heard of Ella, and do not own a single recording, than this is a great start. This collection is a wonderfully smooth and snazzy bunch of songs recorded in the late 1950s, when Ella still made them weep and laugh at the same time. The first tune is a seductive introduction to the rest. But, it certainly gets better in many different ways. From scat singing to ballads to standards, this cd has it all. Just try to listen to "As Long As I Live," "Blues in the Night," "Oh, What A Night For Love," and tell me if you haven't been converted into a chronic Ella devotee. It is not too late, despite her death a couple of years back, to get into Ella. Heck, I'm only 23, and I'm not ever putting her away. Not ever. Buy this cd!!

Ella Fitzgerald could sing you the phone book and when she finished you would have given her a standing ovation while applauding and begging for more. She could sing them all; and every song she performed glittered like gold in her hands. This CD proves how wonderful Ella's artistry really was; and the Marty Paich arrangements complement Ella's vocals perfectly.

The CD track set gives us all the songs from the record album entitled Ella Swings Lightly along with four bonus tracks. The first number, entitled "Little White Lies," features Ella swinging very gently as she sings with all her heart and soul. The arrangement uses the piano, percussion and horns to bolster the number. The romantic flavor of this number belies the somewhat melancholy lyrics. Awesome! "You Hit The Spot" continues with Ella singing at her very best. "You Hit The Spot" has a faster tempo and Ella never misses a beat. Ella's jazzy rendition of "You Hit The Spot" shines; her excellent diction and vocal athletics work very, very well. The horns and percussion work well in Marty Paich's musical arrangement, too.

"What's Your Story, Morning Glory?" starts with some great horns; and when Ella comes in you know you're in for a real treat! Ella's voice is rich, warm and vibrant. She sings of a woman who loves a man who she suspects doesn't truly love her in return. Ella handles a few quick key changes without any trouble; and this impresses me greatly. "Just You, Just Me" picks up the tempo once more to energize this high octane number about two lovers spending time alone. Ella scats, sings and even weaves the two together in a performance that also showcases her ability to romp quickly through the octaves. "Just You, Just Me" will stun you completely.

Other gems on this CD include "As Long As I Live;" the percussion, horns and piano shine while Ella sings sweetly. "Gotta Be This Or That" lets Ella sing this famous number with a sublime jazzy rendition that makes Ella's interpretation THE definite interpretation of "Gotta Be This Or That." Love that jazzy musical interlude with the horns! "Blues In The Night" has Ella attacking a classic jazz ballad about the trouble a man can cause to a woman who loves him. This somewhat cynical ballad gets the royal treatment from Ella. She sings "Blues In The Night" flawlessly with a few quick tempo changes and just a bit of scatting to make this number special. "You're An Old Smoothie" has Ella singing sweetly as she swings rather gently. Ella also does just a few vocal tricks to enhance her performance all the more.

"720 In The Books" swings well and Ella picks up the tempo to inject this number with electricity. Marty Paich's arrangement makes good use of the horns and piano. Indeed, Ella's vocals and Marty Paich's arrangement complement each other very well. "720 In The Books" provided a strong ending for the record album.

The CD format gives us space for bonus tracks--and we get four of them! The long version of "Oh, What A Night For Love" starts with some great horns; and Ella performs this romantic, slower paced ballad really well. Ella jumps throughout the octaves just a bit to enhance the number, too. Stunning! "Dreams Are Made For Children" gives us a tender lullaby type of ballad; Ella handles this with panache and all the sensitivity a lullaby deserves. The gorgeous melody somewhat hides the bittersweet mention of her hope that her child never grows up because their naïveté will be crushed.

The CD's last bonus track is the shorter single version of "Oh, What A Night For Love." Ella's vocals remain squarely in the spotlight throughout the single version of "Oh, What A Night For Love." Great!

The liner notes include the song credits and James Gavin contributes an informative essay about Ella and the making of this album. The photos of Ella are very nicely done.

Ella Fitzgerald remains a titan in the entertainment world--and rightly so, too. On this CD alone, we hear her scat, sing, sway, and perform numerous vocal gymnastics that only the very best of the best could ever accomplish. Ella left behind her a nearly endless musical legacy that will forever remind us of her talent that knew no limits. Ella enriched all our lives with her artistry; and aspiring artists would do well to study her work.

I highly recommend this CD for Ella's fans; and people who enjoy classic pop vocals will love this CD. If you like classic jazz vocals you won't be disappointed either.

Enjoy!

Recorded in 1958 and arranged with real style and class by Marty Paich, this is Ella at the peak of her genius, singing and swinging the songs of Tin Pan Alley. The liner notes are very accurate when they state that the style of this recording is "blithe and carefree" Listening to this, you will never fail to be put in a happy mood. The true talent of all the players involved gives the music a classic sound that will always sound fresh. It's the perfect CD to play at a party or to take along for a drive in your car. You Hit The Spot is one my favorite cuts. Beware of the later recordings, Ella Swings Brightly and Ella Swings Gentley as they are the ugly step children of this must have recording.

Ever since I've heard few tracks from this album on various compilations, I have decided to GET IT. ASAP.

Marty Paich's Dek-tette is a magnificent and brilliantly arranged band (I've heard it work brilliantly with Mel Torme), quite compatible with the Ella's deliverance: at first glance light and relaxed, but often showing her virtuoso abilities - not only in faster (or scatting on Roy Eldridge's and Buster Harding's "Little Jazz") numbers.

It is actually quite interesting how this collection of 30s and 40s swing and Tin Pan Alley hits/standards manages to be swinging and modern (i.e. - cool) at the same time. This combination (with Ella giving one of her best performances I've heard so far) works magnificently and, I suppose, it is not only interesting for jazz fans; I feel this is a great album for fans of sophisticated classic American pop and pop/swing (Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett, Sammy Davis Jr.)... The subtle feel for rhythm and gentle emotions on some tracks might remind you of Johnny Hartman-John Coltrane collaboration, other tracks are reminiscent of Ella-Basie collaborations...

This is recorded in 1958, originally issued in 1959 LP and, yes, this CD has some very welcome bonus tracks.
GET IT !

So you're thinking you want a blusey/jazzy Ella CD. Just plunk down some coins and pick this one up. The first track, "Little White Lies," is as good as it gets... and then the CD gets even better. With 20 tracks, this CD will keep you happy for a full, soulful hour. At the end, you'll be gasping for more.

This album is one of the best from one of the best. I just bought the orginal LP and I LOVE it. I wish that I would have bought this CD instead with all the extra tracks. Ella has something for everyone on this album. From very light to swinging tracks like 'Just you Just Me'. This is a must!

In some ways, this music has a little more energy and...verve...than the Cole Porter and other songbook collections. There is more scat singing and not quite so many strings in the mix...it's a little jazzier. But the type of arrangements and the crystal clear recording of that near-perfect voice are the same.