Customer Reviews

Sings the Jerome Kern Songbook

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This album has some of the classic Hollywood and Broadway songs, with really great arrangments from Nelson Riddle...and with Ella's amazing vocals, this album can make any jazz newcomer or jazz expert become even more passioned about Ella's interpretations.

Bright, classic, chic and too special for words.

I am amazed ( as everytime I get to know one of her recordings ).

Even if you don't like standards, this album is a "must have" doesn't matter if you are a jazz freak like me or not, this album will turn you into one, no doubt about it.

Ella is the best. Perfect pitch, tone, phrasing and armed with great songs every second is a joy. I play saxophone, so I listen to music in a different manner now and Ella is pure music. I have all of the song books, so don't ask me which one is my favorite but this one is high on the list. GET IT.

Ella Fitzgerald recorded this album in 1963 under the keen eye of Jazz Impressario Norman Granz, who produced some of the most wonderful and cherished recordings of the 20th Century. The "Jerome Kern Songbook" is part of that magnificent Songbook series; every song on this recording is a gem and an integral part of the Great American Songbook. No one, and I mean no one, could sing a lyric like Ella.

Nelson Riddle arranged and conducted the studio orchestra for this album, and the orchestra features some of the great musicians of the time, including Paul Smith (Ella's long-time pianist), Frank Flynn and Dick Nash.

And oh! The songs! How about such classics as "A Fine Romance" or "The Way You Look Tonight"? And also "Yesterdays" and, from SHOWBOAT, a terrific rendition of "Can't Help Loving That Man of Mine".

This recording is a must-have in any collection.

For a gentleman who didn't like jazz treatments of his music he most certainly would have loved this. WOW In the hands of the master (Ella) these gems become perfectly set stones. Put Ella and Riddle together and you have the best of the best. Please get this play if for your kids and let them see what real songs sung by a real singer sounds like. Not a bad song in the kit.