Customer Reviews

Jukebox Ella: The Complete Verve Singles 1 (Dig)

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

To me, Ella embodies artistry and is the standard by which all other singers are judged. I thought I'd heard the best Ella had to offer until Jukebox Ella arrived on Friday. Many unknown songs (to me at least) that became instant favorites. I found myself dancing around the house, grinning ear to ear and loving every note, every nuance, every Ella moment.

This long awaited collection of Ella's Verve singles, is, as my fellow reviewer has stated, the most welcome addition to any Ella fan anywhere. The rare tracks included here are, for the most part, being issued on CD for the very first time. Liner notes tell us the old familiar story of how Ella and Verve stalwart Norman Granz's relationship came to be, and only lightly touch on the contents of this superb 2 disc package, but kudos to the researchers who have provided the info they could along with the track listings (I will offer my own suggestions on only two that were labeled with the frustrating "personnel unknown" label. But on to the music! All the tracks are remastered and are absolutely beautiful sounding. The touching THE SUN FORGOT TO SHINE THIS MORNING may remind listeners of Ella's Decca side "I Didn't Mean A Word I Said" with it's sorrowful and wistful strains. A definite torch song that should have been out there for us to enjoy years ago, The majority of the tracks being recorded in Hollywood, the players here are all well known and abet Ella wonderfully, as they did for all her sessions with them that we know of. Buddy Bregman conducted this crack orchestra session on this track with the likes of Harry "Sweets" Edison, Pete Candoli, Paul Smith, Milt Bernhart, Ted Nash and Barney Kessel, to mention only a few. (Most of these musicians worked with anyone who was anyone in Hollywood during this era, most notably the orchestras of Billy May and Nelson Riddle.) Bregman also contributed charts for the rare gem A BEAUTIFUL FRIENDSHIP (recorded during the Cole Porter sessions, although not a Porter tune) and the sly THE SILENT TREATMENT, among others on disc one. While one can do without the novelty tunes like HOTTA CHOCOLATTA, the smug YOUR RED WAGON gives us a little lesson in life, and swings rather well. True Ella fans were just glad she left most of the novelty tunes behind her when she left Decca. And if you can call the Gershwins novelty tune writers, let me cast a vote for their charming I'M A POACHED EGG. The flipside of this when it was recorded was another Gershwin tune, ALL THE LIVE LONG DAY. My assumption from listening to these wonderful charts on these two particular tunes is that they were orchestrated by Nelson Riddle (and Nelson and Ella were working together at this time on GENTLY and BRIGHTLY LPs) Just a suggestion for you to ponder when you listen. THE RINGO BEAT, on the other hand, is first class schmaltz but Ella did write it, and we love her so, so you be the judge! (I vote to cut her some slack) The second disc starts with a heartfelt reading of the obscure Van Heusen & Cahn song THE SECRET OF CHRISTMAS, orchestrated by West Coast arranger Russell Garcia. It's as stunning as it is unknown. Do not miss it. I'M FALLIN' IN LOVE is another attempt at being hip, and I guess it goes over considering the era and considering the singer herself. The sad surprise was Gordon Jenkins' otherwise uninspired arrangement of the classic Fain-Webster-Mandel penned THE SHADOW OF YOUR SMILE. He didn't provide Ella with the support say of Marty Paich or another arranger, and it kind of shows. Ella's singing is fine, it's just a sub-par arrangement, but nevertheless a gem to finally have on CD. Borrowing from the original Brenda Lee hit sound arrangement, Ella juices up the old chestnut MY ECHO, MY SHADOW AND ME with fairly good results; multi-tracking sound worked well for Andy Williams around this time, but the jury's still out on it working for Ella. You can decide. The sentiment is there, that's for sure. I have only touched on this collections' high points in my opinion but like all Ella fans, I'm certain you will thoroughly enjoy exploring these undiscovered classics and also like this reviewer, anxiously await the (slated) second (and final) installation of this series of one of the most beloved singer's Verve singles. We love you Ella, and we love UMG Verve for FINALLY answering our call!

Ella recorded a lot of singles during her Verve years and many of
them were never even on LP so this compilation is most welcome.
Her first recordings for the label were singles with Buddy Bregman
conducting. For years we have had ESSENTIAL, PURE, IMCOMPARABLE
and other recyclings so this is a great set. I understand the
next volume will comprise singles that were part of albums and
I will be glad to have that also. Ella's Verve years were her
greatest and these singles are a welcome addition to the Ella
canon.

And Mr. Torme was right, she could do no wrong. These singles are swingin.' No they are obviosly not on the same level as her Songbooks or concept albums, but they are very good for being attempt at commercial hits, though there are few standards, Ella was in prime voice here, and the orchestra's taht back her up are the top names. This will fill a big gap in Ella's fans colelctions. This essential cd should be owned by fans who thought there was nothing left of Ella's to be put onto cd! A great cd set, well worth acquiring for the jazz fan, or pop fan.

I was so surprised when I listened to this 2 CD set. I'd never heard most of the recordings included! How often does that happen with an artist as well represented as Ella Fitzgerald? Not very often. When it does happen you have to jump on the opprotunity. I'm so glad I picked up this set. I can't imagine not having tracks like "I'm A Poached Egg", "The Secret Of Christmas", "Dreams Are made For children" and "Too Young For The Blues" in my collection now. HIGHLY recommended.

On a side note, the packaging is superb. It's a cardboard tri-fold in pastel colors. This discs themselves are imaginatively decorated and there is a 16 page bookelt included.

Norman Granz, Ella's manager knew a good thing when he took her under his wing ~ even though a contract was never signed between them, love and respect was there right from the start. The latest release from Verve Records "Jukebox Ella:The Complete Verve Singles 1", features Ella during the early days with this label ~ a delightful bit of improvisation is on every cue. Her style is so timeless that you're instantly amazed and she's got you hooked line and sinker. This is a great introduction to her career which blends a vibrant expressive signature approach to each song.

A wonderful compilation of Seasonal and Chart hits ~ some stand outs are prevalent "BEALE STREET BLUES", "SWINGIN' SHEPHERD BLUES", "DREAMS ARE MADE FOR CHILDREN" which are some of the lesser known tracks ~ "BILL BAILEY WON'T YOU PLEASE COME HOME?", "WE THREE, MY ECHO, MY SHADOW AND ME", "THE SHADOW OF YOUR SMILE" and "DESAFINADO" reflects her impeccable interpretation giving you the impression you've heard this song for the first time.

The highlight is "THE SECRET OF CHRISTMAS", which has become one of my favorite songs for the Holiday Season ~ only Ella could melt my heart with her sweetness that surfaces with every phrase she sings. Her talent for singing has never been equalled ~ Ella's musical career has always been top notch...gotta love it!

Total Time: 2-CD-Set ~ Verve B0000092-02 ~ (9/30/2003)

Thousands of fans were expecting this particular release from Verve records: many (like me) own the actual vinyl single, but some rare item was impossible to find, and the quality of vinyl is not always good.

This first volume issues the singles that Verve didn't include in any further Lps (though some appeared on LP compilations), and even though some of these tracks were added as bonus tracks on some cd, 70% of them are for the first time on CD.

It was a pure joy to listen in their super quality CD those singles recorded at Ella's first session for Verve, and also it was a discover to hear "I'm a poached egg" one of the rarest thing in vinyl you may try to search all over the world!!!!!

A must have for all the fans and for all the public too: though many of these singles were pop tunes, Ella gave them a personality and her true heart, so they sound pretty and fabolous, though they were intended to last a season!!!!!!!!!

The singing of Ella Fitzgerald (IMO) has some therapeutic values. Whenever I feel down in the dumps I listen to it and immediately feel better. It's very uplifting in spirit. Besides ... beauty, elegance. What else to say?
Recommend wholeheartedly.

Ella Fitzgerald had the most pliable instrument in jazz/pop and this is the best issue to show her range, by collecting two CDs of the non-LP singles she recorded for Verve. It's hard to think of anyone who was a major pop artist who has this much previously uncollected prime material; but her Verve LPs were either themed or live, so it makes sense. When did she find time to eat or sleep? If you want an intro to Ella, this would be the place to start. Novelities, Christmas songs, standards, foreign alternate versions, jazz, it's all here somewhere. And not a bad track among them.

There was a time that the imaginary battle between Ella F. and Billie H. raged, even among those of us who were only just born when Billie H. died. The universe is big enough for both of them - or rather the silly heads of their fans have expanded enough to love both without conflict.

For novices, the Rodgers and Hart, Gershwin and particularly the Ellington songbooks (with Ellington, among his best recordings as he largely chose second tier vocalists save Ella and Ivy Anderson) are stellar.

The ultra-rare Ella singles, all from her golden years at Verve. If you think you know all of her work from this period, these sides will come as a great thrill to you. And it's especially weird to hear Ella swing in German! All in all, 2 great discs, chock full of surprises. (Read previous reviews -- they're excellent...)