Customer Reviews

Norman Granz Jazz In Montreux Presents Ella & Basie '79

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

From 1960 through 1986, I've been the lucky audience member of over a dozen Ella concerts (certainly would have gone to more, if they were available - location wise). To this end, I feel that I've developed the essential experience to critique Miss Fitzgerald's performance.

We'll start with near the end first. I heard Ella perform "Flying Home" in Boston around the same time of this recording. I felt like I was viewing the same performance of one of her most fantastic scat sessions - and there have been many - "How High the Moon", "Lady Be Good", "Stomping at the Savoy." "Basella" was a variation of Ellington's "C-Jam Blues" which Ella has done in prior concerts with similar and exciting aplomb - she coaxes the best out of her co-performers and they coax the best out of her.

The first five tracks, backed by the Basie "congregation" (Ella refers to this as orchestra - I think it's a band), are well crafted and executed performances by Ella and the band. The combo sessions follow with a superb version of "Dindi" which offers a far better reading of this song in comparison to her Jobim songbook offering.

There is so much offered in this recording. I would only hope that, somewhere, there is more recorded Ella to enjoy.

... as in "jazz", there should be a picture of this DVD alongside the definition, because when Ella and the Count Basie stable of supremely talented musicians get going, this is out of SIGHT. Ella was still swinging strong in '79; some say she was actually at the apex of her career, and this performance is fine support for that argument.

The title *is* misleading, as Count Basie is only stage for a few numbers, but for my money this is worth it just to have one of the best Ella performances ever in your personal library. Cheaper than a concert ticket, and you can watch it over and over and over again ... which you will, if you are a fan of the First Lady of Song.

I bought this liking both Ella and Basie and whilst it would have been good to have more Basie , at least his band swings beautifully . Just hearing Ella sing "Sweet Georgia Brown" on this DVD makes me feel glad to be alive . She takes a lot of chances whilst singing and obviously loves what she's doing .

She doesn't ignore the audience like some jazz performers do .

One reviewer wrote that Ella was past her prime when this was recorded . If so , I would rather she was still around as not many other current singers do it for me like Ella does .

Most record companies have big marketing budgets , but are the 'artists' worth your hard earned ?

Picasso was an artist , like Ella . They communicate .

Without needing to dance .

If you love great singing , this will give you goosebumps . Buy and enjoy .

I had the distinct pleasure of attending all of the Jazz Festivals that Ella appeared at (every summer),in Europe, from 1979 - 1980, as well as, 1998 - 1999 She NEVER deviated from her excellent renditions of not only Jazz, but also when interpreting current works of the periods. Ella had the most flawless intonation, musicianship, phrasing and clarity of voice, above and beyond ANY other female Jazz singer. Witness her set with her trio (Paul Smith, Piano, Keter Betts, Bass and, of course, Tommy Flanagan on Piano. One major flaw mars this DVD. Count Basie played only ONE number with her. Paul Smith handled his chores. Even without Basie at the piano, combination of Ella and the band was also flawless. The other downside, although minor, was the absolutely shoddy camera work. Other than that....what a "treasure." This DVD was an absolute pleasure for me to relive those magical and wonderful moments that she never failed to provide to her audiences world-wide.

if you're looking for more than a few minutes of Ella with Count Basie, you will be disappointed. they are only together for one song out the whole concert. if you're just buying this for Ella (and not for Basie), you can't go wrong with this dvd. it's got tons of her best renditions and depicts a mature but always commanding Ella.

DVDs featuring Ella Fitzgerald are extremely rare and this is why this DVD is a "must buy" for all who consider her as the greatest jazz vocalist of all time as I do! All tracks are a nice mixture of classics or standards in either the jazz or pop music genres. While many of the songs feature Ella with the fabulous Basie band, some are with her usual trio comprising Paul Smith on piano, Mickey Roker on drums and Keeter Betts on bass.

Ella is in top form throughout the performance particularly in "Please Dont'Talk About me When I'm Gone", "Sweet Georgia Brown" and the show stopping "B&E (Basella)/Tisket A-tasket" all of which highlights her incomparable 'scat' vocalizing. The latter has Ella 'scatting' duets first with a trumpeter and then a trombonist. While this DVD focuses on Ella, one has to mention the outstanding performances by Count Basie on piano and his swinging band.

I also enjoyed Nat hentoff's introduction and sleeve notes.

Count Basie is only on one number in fact.

Ella's regular pianist plays with the CB Orchestra for the rest of the DVD/concert. I would also say that Ella was past her best by this stage. This isn't to say that its terrible. In fact its good most of the time - but not as great as if it had been filmed 10 or 20 years earlier.

There's just nothing like Ella Fitzgerald live...especially live at Montereaux.... with Baise! I only can dream that I was there and live vicariously through this DVD.

I could have done without the intro on the DVD which was kinda dumb, but after that, we got to what I was looking for, Ella, singing live, going toe to toe with all the musicians; out-scatting them and never missing a beat.

Sure, this was no huge big production with great lighting, camera angles, etc, but that's exactly what makes it so great! With Ella, there's no need for all the extra trimmings and wrappings. She doesn't even need to move around the stage and you can still feel the electricity she generates just by the honesty and purity of the performance. Nothing is held back, you get it all and that's what makes it wonderful. That's what makes it Ella!

I enjoyed the performances on this video. Ella performs with the mastery of a veteran. However, be aware that the video quality is not the best, being shot using 70's video technology. Also, the title implies that she performs with Count Basie, but it actually is the Count Basie Orchestra sans Basie.

Someone had indicated a desire to see these two icons in other footage. I had watched a documentary on PBS of Ella, and there was some live footage of her and Basie at Ronnie Scott's in London. Haven't found that yet, but if anyone knows how to get it, I think we'd be all over it. When she started into her scatting behind the blues riffs the band created, I couldn't help but laugh and cheer with joy. That's why we play and love this music.