The Best of Ella Fitzgerald's Decca recordings
Paul A. Tassone | Glenwood, NSW , Australia | 02/22/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)
"The recording career of Ella Fitzgerald remains one of the greatest in all popular and jazz music. Her recordings remain definitive among those of her contemporaries. While her Verve recordings (1956-1966) hold pride of place in her vast catalogue, it should not be forgotten than her recordings for other labels have equal merit. These include those she made for the Decca label (1936-1955).This fine compilation of the best of her Decca recordings provides some fine examples of her work for label while displaying the development of the greatest female singer in popular and jazz music of the 20th Century. Beginning with the girlish sounds of her work with Chick Webb from the 1930's through to be-bop sides of the 1940's and the lush ballads of the 1950's, this compilation presents a fine sampling of her work.The tracks were personally selected by Milt Gabler, producer of much of the material found here. The extensive liner notes and beautiful packaging add much to the overall appeal of this set which was released in tribute of the first lady of song on her 75th birthday. It is a must for all fans of this remarkable singer as well as those interested in hearing material from the first two decades of her recording career."
Ella's Best on Decca!
Todd Bartholomew | Atlanta, GA USA | 06/07/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Box sets and greatest hits compilations are the audio equivalent of a Whitman's Sampler; there's a lot to choose from and you may not like everything in it. Those compiling box sets face the challenge of what to include and exclude which is complicated when the artist has as lengthy and prolific a career as Ella Fitzgerald. Suffice to say it would be hard to get any two Ella Fitzgerald fans to agree on a track listing as they'll differ on interests such as which era, which genre, which styles, and other issues. Most of what's included here are some of her better known tracks from 1938 to 1955; her most productive years and a pretty broad span of time! There certainly are tracks here I'd exclude and others I'd have like to seen included, but "75th Birthday Celebration" is a good survey of Ella as an artist during her years with the Decca label, albeit an incomplete one. And like the Whitman's Sampler there's enough here to give you an idea of what you like and can pursue elsewhere. The recordings were re-mastered and sound much better than other re-re-releases and the accompanying booklet provides a nice amount of information on Ella and her career. A great starting point!"