Ken Burns JAZZ Collection: Ella Fitzgerald

Ella Fitzgerald, Ken Burns JAZZ Collection | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (November 7, 2000)
• Original Release Date: November 7, 2000
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Polygram Records
• ASIN: B000050I3O
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #18,527 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Throughout much of her career, Ella Fitzgerald was the reigning queen of jazz singers, applying her consummate musicality to uptempo swing and bop material, as well as the usual mix of ballads and show tunes. Fitzgerald's ability to swing was immediately apparent in her early work with drummer Chick Webb, which produced the novelty rhythm hit "A-Tisket, A-Tasket" from 1938. However, the breadth of her talent becomes apparent here with the inspired scat improvising on "Flying Home" from 1945 and the mature balladry of "Nice Work If You Can Get It," recorded with just the accompaniment of pianist Ellis Larkins in 1954. Fitzgerald is heard here in collaboration with some of the greatest names in jazz. There's a 1957 meeting with Louis Armstrong on "Let's Call the Whole Thing Off" and a 1963 encounter with the Basie band on "Shiny Stockings." There's also a sampling of her multivolume Song Book recordings, including a wonderful "Sophisticated Lady" with tenor saxophonist Ben Webster from the Ellington set. Live recordings with her working rhythm section, such as "How High the Moon," are filled with playful exuberance, but there's also restrained artfulness in the introduction to "Blue Skies" and the lyric concentration of "Blues in the Night." --Stuart Broomer

Product Description

No description available.
Genre: Jazz Music
Rating:
Release Date: 0000-00-00
Media Type: Compact Disk

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

24 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Get this CD, January 10, 2001

By 

"skimid" (New York, NY) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Ken Burns JAZZ Collection: Ella Fitzgerald (Audio CD)

Having bought many of the Ella Fitzgerald "songbooks" issued on CD, I was skeptical at first if I really needed yet another Ella CD. My skepticism quickly disappeared after listening to this CD. There is a great sampling of all of Ella's music and especially her unique scat music style which is well represented here. Early recordings combined with live recordings demonstrate her technical skill and artistry as a vocal musician. Some of the earliest recorded music reissued here has some background hiss but only on one or two tracks at the most. Do not let the fact that this is part of the Ken Burns Jazz Series discourage you from getting this CD. After purchasing this CD, I decided one can never have too many Ella CDs.

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful, July 4, 2001

By 

G. Sawaged - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Ken Burns JAZZ Collection: Ella Fitzgerald (Audio CD)

18 wonderful songs spanning the years from 1936 to 1963. This album is a wonderful introduction to a wonderful jazz singer. Some of her best work is here, and is guaranteed to make you want to get more Ella. Her scatting and improvisations are second to none. Her Louis Armstrong impression on "Mack the knife" and her Slam Stewart impression on "How high the Moon" are a hoot. What a talented lady. There will never be another Ella. The booklet includes a 2 page essay and a couple of photos. I highly recommend this album, it's a must-have.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I'd give it six stars if I could!, August 11, 2001

By 

Daniel (Atlanta, GA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Ken Burns JAZZ Collection: Ella Fitzgerald (Audio CD)

Ms. Fitzgerald is the personification of effervescence. She bubbles and sparkles endlessly and this cd is a great introduction. It spans much of her classic material, starting at the beginning. She is so greatly talented and full of warmth. I just love her. I wish I could have met her. Buy this. (wink!)