Search - Ella Fitzgerald :: Ella Fitzgerald 1950

Ella embraces the pop vocals era

Joe Sixpack -- Slipcue.com | ...in Middle America | 09/27/2002

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Another fine entry into this series of chronological releases on the Classics label, from France. As the new decade opened, Ella immersed herself in poppier material, but even on forced, subpar material like "Santa Claus Got Stuck In My Chimney," the clap-hands gospel of "Standing On A Rock," and "Molasses" (with its giggling kiddie chorus), Ella's crystalline voice rises above the mediocrity. She also still kept good company -- this disc features duets with Sy Oliver, Louis Armstrong and Louis Jordan, and a couple of tunes with the Inkspots, show there was no shortage of talent to jam with. But her muse was definitely in a lull, as she adjusted to the rise of the pop vocals era... Some of the more interesting, experimental stuff on here includes a brace of slowed-down ballads, with Ella shedding the swing bounce she had perfected in order to linger on the lyrics. This isn't the cotton-candy goodness of her best work, but hey, man, it's still Ella, and she's the best there ever was. Plus, this series has great sound quality -- definitely the way to check out the Fitzgerald's growth as an artist!"