Customer Reviews

Swings Gently With Nelson

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Norman Granz, then owner of Verve Records was no fool. He knew Nelson would be a great arranger for Ella. He waited until the Gershwin Songbook to get Nelson and then these albums followed. While the Gershwin Songbook may be Ella and Nelson's finest hours, the "Brightly" album and this one are no less magnificent. Ella's reading of "I CAN'T GET STARTED" swings ever so slighty while getting the message across as Nelson gets off some of his finest arranging ever. Included here are "IT'S A PITY TO SAY GOODNIGHT", "I WISHED ON THE MOON", a very boozy yet sentimental reading of "STREET OF DREAMS", and the classic "BODY AND SOUL". As an added bonus Verve has unearthed a great gem in "ALL OF ME", and I can't decide who's swinging harder, Ella in a mad scat mode, or Nelson Riddle's fabulous orchestra behind her. It's important to note that while Nelson was one of the greatest arranger/conductors of our time (look what he did for Sinatra from 1953 on, as well as countless others) his arrangements never take away from the vocalist, but rather aide them into giving us some of the greatest music ever! One of my favorite Ella/Nelson sides appears on the Jerome Kern songbook, "A FINE ROMANCE". If it's Ella and Nelson...you gotta get it!

This is an album of the most magical, achingly beautiful music-making. It really is one of those records which, in the words of one of the numbers so lusciously performed here, "makes a cloudy day sunny." There was no kind of popular song written between 1920 and 1960 that Ella Fitzgerald couldn't handle, and as a result, it's almost absurd to compare one of her albums with another. However, for sheer, transcendent beauty it's hard to beat this set of gorgeously rendered ballads. For what it's worth, it would be one of about five discs I would try to save from a house fire.

Ella Fitzgerald's 'concept' albums of the late 1950s and early '60s for the Verve label are all at least the equal of Frank Sinatra's, pressed for Capitol during the same years. In this one, as in a set of up-beat numbers released at about the same time, Ella is abetted by Sinatra's most brilliant arranger, Nelson Riddle. His total commitment to the special qualities of each singer with whom he worked, and to the special ethos of each project, is neatly shown by comparing his arrangement of 'She's Funny That Way' on this album with his backing for the same song on Sinatra's 'Nice 'n' Easy', recorded the previous year. The settings are almost unbelievably unlike one another, and yet each, in its own way, is true to the spirit of the song. Riddle's charts on 'Ella Swings Gently' are, surely, some of the very best he ever wrote. The orchestral texture is intoxicating: brilliant chords from the brass are splashed across the silky background of his lilting string lines. The result is a sound that is as colorful as Ella's voice, complementing flawlessly the warmth and sensuousness of her singing here. Though the mood and tone are consistent, Riddle never repeats himself: each number surprises and delights, and every hearing seems to reveal new splendors.

The glory of the human voice, as Sinatra and Fitzgerald both realized, is that it can mimic and surpass the effects produced by virtually any instrument in the orchestra. In this album, Ella's timbre is as effortlessly liquid and limpid as the smoothest reed solos from such colleagues as Stan Getz, Johnny Hodges and Paul Gonsalves. And in terms of range, of course, Ella has the advantage, for she can caress notes at either end of the register without any loss of resonance.

There is not a single indifferent song on this album, and never do the standards of musicianship from any of the performers waver: 'Ella Swings Gently' is perfection's self throughout. It's not even easy to pick out one track that is better than the others, but special acknowledgement is, perhaps, demanded by 'Body and Soul,' a touchstone of the jazz musician's art since the '20s. This was the last in the original line-up (it's now followed by two bonus tracks) and was obviously meant to form a fitting climax to the LP. Certainly, Ella pulls out all the stops: though understated, her performance of this song is filled with infinite yearning and veiled sadness of a kind that only she could convey. It might have been a fitting climax not only to the record, but to her career. Fortunately, it was not - there were golden years ahead for her. But this number, like the album as a whole, is a pearl beyond price.

Oh boy, is this a treat! One of those albums whose discovery really make life seem better. Riddle's arrangements are simply breathtaking; lush, heady, saturated with nostalgia, but with a powerful slow swing, as if cast for some dance band in heaven, they provide a magical backdrop for Ella at her most forthright and soulful. Personally, I prefer this to its more famous predecessor "Ella Swings Brightly.." Tracks "Sweet and Slow", "Street of Dreams", "She's Funny That Way", "The Very Thought of You", "All of Me" and, above all, the monumental "I Can't Get Started" are just sumptuous. Coming in 1962 this album was a gorgeous overblown sunset for a musical era that was all but ended. I rate this as a must!

With Nelson Riddle applying his wealth of experience in arranging, conducting and orchestrating to the peerless vocal prowess of the First Lady of Song, there is nothing left to be desired. Everything in this album is totally spic-and-span, flawless, precise and well-executed, simply put, it's utterly sublime!

Known for his most prolific collaboration with the legendary Ol' Blue Eyes, Riddle shows off his consistently superb chart arrangements to its repertoire of fifteen standards. Ella's remarkable interpretations speak of elegance, confidence and gentleness. Here, she is surely in good hands with Riddle who brings out the very best in her. Each song reveals a gentle perfection from the first note to the last. Ella and Nelson have created a gem of an album, "Ella Swings Gently With Nelson," one of the two albums that Ella recorded in Los Angeles in later part of 1961 with Nelson Riddle and His Orchestra under Verve Records originally released in 1962. It was digitally remastered on a CD format and reissued in 1993 with bonus tracks that were not included on the original release.

Ella takes the listeners to a more elegant listening experience with her heart-stoppingly beautiful takes on Ray Noble's "The Very Thought of You" and Robert Mellin and Guy Wood's "My One And Only Love," two stunners and my all-time favorites from this collection. True to the album's concept, she does a swingy yet gentle with scatting-a-plenty rendition of "All of Me."

For fans of Ella, the First Lady of Song, and Nelson Riddle, one of the greatest arrangers/orchestrators America ever produced, this is definitely a welcome addition to your elegantly-decorated vocal jazz collection. Listening to this great CD means taking you back in time when Ella and Nelson were both at the apex of their respective musical careers, so you can't go wrong with this classic recording.

Wholeheartedly recommended for your lovely listening experience.

P.S. A perfect companion to this CD is Ella Swings Brightly with Nelson. Please check it out.

This is one of the best titles I've heard from Ella Fitzgerald and should be a part of any music fan's collection. Most Ella fans probably already do own this CD, so for those unsure about what Ella disc to purchase to start a collection make this it. Riddle's arrangements are pure gold and Ella's Georgia On My Mind is out of this stratosphere.

It was the reviews on Amazon that encouraged me to buy this CD and I'm forever greatful. The more I listen to it, the more contemporary it feels. The singing is inspired and the arrangements don't just swing, they rock! Of course Ella had a habit of making everything sound easy but it really does feel as if she's having a great time. I was unfamiliar with most of the songs on this CD so half the pleasure is in getting to know them - they're simply aren't any duds. Great stuff.

Ella Fitzgerald, The First Lady Of Song, remains one of the greatest entertainers we shall ever see. Ella could lead her adoring audiences anywhere she wanted them to go. Moreover, her ability to scat never ceases to amaze me. Ella always improvised her scatting but she somehow, almost magically, she always made it look so well prepared.

The CD track set begins with "Sweet And Slow." The opening musical flourish sets the tone for an awesome number; and Ella's voice is rich, warm and vibrant. The horns enhance the beauty of the arrangement by the incomparable Nelson Riddle, too. "Georgia On My Mind" shines with a stunning musical arrangement; and Ella's interpretation runs a bit faster than Ray Charles's rendition; but Ella's version works very well. Ella truly pours her heart and soul into "Georgia On My Mind." Excellent!

"Imagination" features Ella singing her very best; she really IS swinging gently for the delivery of this number! Ella's excellent diction works well with the musical arrangement. "The Very Thought Of You" uses the horns well; and Ella sings this as if it were the greatest lullaby ever produced. You'll float on a cloud listening to Ella's interpretation of 'The Very Thought Of You!" "She's Funny That Way" gets the royal treatment from Ella; and Nelson Riddle's arrangement places the horns squarely in the middle of the spotlight along with Ella's voice. Love those chimes on "She's Funny That Way," too!

Other treats on this album include the steamy and romantic "The Very Thought Of You;" Ella performs this with panache and sensitivity. "The Very Thought Of You" also allows Ella to sing up and down an octave or more--and this impresses me greatly. "Body And Soul" is another particularly romantic number; Ella sings this to perfection and the melody moves along at just the right tempo.

The CD gives us two bonus tracks: We get "Call Me Darling" and "All Of Me." "Call Me Darling" makes you want to spend time alone with your sweetheart the very instant you hear it; Ella doesn't miss a note and the strings bolster the quality of the melody. "All Of Me" sports a faster tempo; and the high quality control of this number makes the perfect ending for this CD. Ella also does a jubilant scat chorus; and this injects electricity into "All Of Me." Who could ask for anything more?

The liner notes include an informative essay by James Gavin; and we get the song credits and the recording dates as well. We even get a miniature replica of the reverse of the cardboard jacket cover for the 1962 record album release; this features an essay by Benny Green.

Ella Fitzgerald was a living legend; and her legendary status will forever remain in the history of first rate, five star quality entertainers. I highly recommend this CD for Ella's fans; and people who enjoy classic pop vocals will love this CD, too.

Thank you, Ella!

Ella shines in every way on this album and Nelson Riddle's arrangements and orchestra are impeccable. I have many of Ella's albums but this is one of my favorites. She is in her prime vocally and uses that incredible voice like one of the instruments reminiscent of the great jazz musicians. No wonder there are no female vocalists today that come close to this lady. She set a standard that can't be matched. And it is no wonder she and Sinatra loved to work with Nelson. He is in a catagory unto himself.

it was on the strength of Nelson Riddle's name that made me purchase this album. Arrangers are like composers in film in that a lot of times their contributions are overlooked in lieu of the vocalist. But Ella was a legend and
this album has to be one of her absolute best. Her other album from these sessions ("Ella Swings Brightly with Nelson") is almost just as good but I find myself playing this one even more often.
She is absolutely in peak voice on this album and when combined with Riddle's dance band-like charts you have pure musical magic and there is not a weak track on this album. My favorites are "Sweet and Slow", her interpretation of "Georgia On My Mind," is, I think, superior to the Ray Charles rendition, and she reaches the heights in my other favorite tracks "The Very Thought of You," "It's a Blue World," and the effervescent "I Wished On the Moon." She was a genuine talent and boy could she sing! Riddle and Fitzgerald worked together on albums before (the massive Gershwin Songbook) and after this one (the Jerome Kern and Johnny Mercer albums) but this album has a special place in my heart. It was the first Riddle album I bought that featured a singer other than Sinatra and I must say that his arrangements here are just as good as those he did on any of his collaborations with him (and Sinatra is my favorite male vocalist).
I happen to think that having a good or even great singer on an album is not enough. If you don't have a top flight arranger writing the charts its gonna suck. Riddle was the best arranger of the post war years and it helps that Fitzgerald was one of the artists the great arranger actually liked working with (the other was Nat Cole) so she obviously brought out the best in him.
A plus for me is an added track "Call Me Darling" that was previously unreleased and it is probably the sexiest song on this disc. Her voice, along with Riddle's great saxophone writing, epitomizes yearning and her interpretation of "Body and Soul" is just plain flawless. Like some others if I had to choose one or two albums to be stranded on a desert island with this would definitely be one of those albums.
Ella Fitzgerald and Nelson Riddle. It doesn't get much better than this. A must have!!

I've got this both in CD and vinyl and I keep the actual vinyl record on my desk because I love the cover so much - a fantastic photograph of Ella. And the songs on this album are just marvelous, with my two favorites being "The Very Thought of You" and "I Cant' Get Started"....wow! Ella and Nelson - a perfect combination.