The epitome of so much that is American music
Eric C. Sedensky | Madison, AL, US | 05/18/2008
(5 out of 5 stars)
"The reason why you won't find a single review that gives this collection less than five stars is because this is just a stunning, amazing, extremely satisfying collection of music. The greatest music composers and lyricists of our time, each represented and sung by one of the great female jazz vocalists of ALL time, combines to make 16 CD's of classic jazz. I hemmed and hawed over buying this because of the price and bodaciousness of the collection, but with The Penguin Guide to Jazz Recordings: Eighth Edition (Penguin Guide to Jazz Recordings) making Ella singing Cole Porter one of its core collection selections, I wasn't sure I should buy just the Cole Porter portion, or if I should buy the whole giant set. I feared buying just the Cole Porter and being wowed and then having to kick myself for not buying the set, but I also feared buying the whole set and being stuck with 10, 12, or, God forbid, 16 CD's I was hardly going to listen to. I leapt in and bought the whole set, and I think it was worth every dollar. Jazz music collector's MUST have this whole set. Yes: MUST! Casual jazz fans and plain old good music lovers might get by with just certain portions, but trust me and the other thirty some odd reviewers who gave this five stars: You simply will not be disappointed with anything in here and this provides hours and hours of great jazz listening you, your loved ones, party guests, and people passing by while washing your car, will appreciate and enjoy."
"Whatever She Does To My Songs, She Always Makes Them Sound
Rebecca*rhapsodyinblue* | CA USA | 08/26/2009
(5 out of 5 stars)
"In my book of jazz, Ella Fitzgerald was the Best Friend of Great American Songbook. Being one of the earliest and finest interpreters of standards, she was respected and admired by musicians and arrangers who have had the privilege of working with her. She utilized all the resources of her voice - a wide vocal range that was able to execute the highest notes down to the lowest notes effortlessly. Her voice was an instrument by itself.
She won 13 Grammy Awards and sold over 40 million records in the course of her bright and illustrious recording career. The composers and lyricists were all proud of her inimitable renditions of their timeless songs as what Richard Rodgers and Ira Gershwin once said...
"Whatever she does to my songs, she always makes them sound better." ~ Richard Rodgers ~
"I never knew how good our songs were until I heard Ella Fitzgerald sing them." ~ Ira Gershwin ~
In April of 2008, the Smithsonian Institute paid tribute to Ella in conjunction with its celebration of "Jazz Appreciation Month" by featuring the First Lady of Song in its official poster. It is an illustration done by Jeffrey Fulvimari, an American artist. It is also the same artwork that was used on the cover of the complete set of sixteen discs representing the Songbook series.
The brightest and big names in Tin Pan Alley are represented with their most remarkable songs along with the most creative arrangers and conductors the music industry has ever known. The sessions were recorded between 1956 and 1964, and all the tracks have been digitally remastered to perfection with superior sound quality.
Discs 1 & 2 - Cole Porter (Arranger: Buddy Bregman)
Discs 3 & 4 - Rodgers and Hart (Arrangers: Buddy Bregman)
Discs 5, 6 & 7 - Duke Ellington (Arrangers: Duke Ellington and Billy Strayhorn)
Discs 8 & 9 - Irving Berlin (Arranger: Paul Weston)
Discs 10, 11 & 12 - George Gershwin (Arranger: Nelson Riddle)
Discs 13 & 14 - Harold Arlen (Arrangers: Billy May)
Disc 15 - Jerome Kern (Arranger: Nelson Riddle)
Disc 16 - Johnny Mercer (Arranger: Nelson Riddle)
If you appreciate the vocal artistry of Ella Fitzgerald and if you're a lover of Great American Songbook, you'll find this comprehensive compilation a very welcome and worthy addition to your collection. This set is a precious jewel from my musical treasure chest. And a perpetual listening pleasure."
Track Listings (16) - Disc #1
