A Hidden Treasure
Peter | East of Los Angeles | 12/06/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I've been listening to Ella's music for years and had no idea this recording even existed! I happened to stumble upon it at a friend's house and now I have my own copy from Amazon! It's like finding a hidden treasure buried in sand. The 30 songs here are grouped into 6 medleys and backed by an outstanding band, lead by Benny Carter. It's refreshing to hear Ella without a huge orchestra, just a crack band with expert backing by the likes of Louis Bellson and George Auld. Ella sounds absolutely wonderful at the age of 52 (this was made in 1969). She still had the luster of her youth, but at this point in her career, incorporating added emotion and experience in her singing. She oft been (unfairly) criticized for lacking the emotional depth of a Billie Holiday or Dinah Washington. Well, Ella certainly proves her naysayers here wrong with a warm, tender, and often, if needed, wistful, reflective performance. Her interpretation of the songs here is simply breathtaking. And some of those very same songs are associated with her contemporaries---Billie, Dinah and Sarah. The signature Fitzgerald clarity and swing are evident, with the surprising emotional wallop added in for good measure. I only wish they had extended some of the numbers to their full length instead of taking them as a medley, but half is better than none."
A Quiet Capital Release
James Fenos | Columbus, OH United States | 08/17/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Ella released this Capital records recording as a follow up to her debut on that label, her second Christmas album. Ella must have been going through a phase in her life where she was exploring her spiritual side because this lp was the only one on Capital not sacred in nature. The bulk of her Capital recordings remain out of print, the only release that compiled some of these recordings is "Ella's Greatest Hits, Her Capital Recordings" released on the Curb label. I believe this was to be a concept album of sorts, each medley follows a theme and the arrangements differ from each track somewhat. Ella's vocal ability is still present and she can "morph" from a small combo to a big band setting effortlessly, her little girl voice has slightly matured and had become a bit more intimate."