Paul A. Tassone | Glenwood, NSW , Australia | 02/20/2001
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Ella Fitzgerald's recordings for the Verve label mark what was undoubtedly the finest period in an unequalled recording career. Foremost among the recordings she made for the label were her eight song books albums in which she paid tribute to some of the finest song writing talents of the 20th Century and her unforgettable series of live concert albums. These legendarey recordings sometimes overshadow the other fine recordings she made in her career such as the delightful 1962 recording "Ella Sings Broadway".This album appears on Compact Disc for the first time and is a welcome addition to the already mamoth collection of Ella CD's. The album allows Ella to interpret a fine collection of Broadway show tunes. Among the highlights here are a swinging "Hernando's Hideaway", sensitive readings of the lovely ballads "Warm All Over" and "No Other Love", a bright swinging version of "Almost Like Being In Love" and sprightly romp through "Show Me" taken at a breakneck tempo with the unparralled queen of swing never missing a beat.The album is representative of Ella's Verve years and features the singer vocally at her peak. She is backed by a small, swinging orchestra that features brass though no arranger was credited on the original album jacket. For Ella-philes, the Compact Disc version of this album is essential. The album also provides the perfect opportunity for those interested in hearing the singer at her peak."
A LONG LOST GEM!
Giovanni M. | Chicago, IL | 03/13/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)
"For years and years, we Ella Fitzgerald fans knew of its existance, and have even wore the wax off the LP version, but at last we have what the liner notes correctly calls "the perfect complement" to Ella's Songbook Series. Here is a collection of great Broadway tunes that didn't necessarliy fall in that prestigious "songbook" category, presented By Ella with the superb backing of Marty Paich, that West Coast Jazz Master himself. Ella is in particularly good, swinging form (which amply describes most of her life on earth) and Marty does wonderfully well in these 1962 California sessions. The light bounce to "WARM ALL OVER" comes off without a hitch and really does make you feel just like the title says. Ella's take on South Pacific's "DITES MOI" is both delightful and swinging; a top-notch arrangement by Paich abets her tastefully. There is a jazzy-yet-latin-tinged treatment of "NO OTHER LOVE" that makes for a fine female reading of this Perry Como classic. A particular standout comes with the closer, "SOMEBODY SOMEWHERE" that seems to have been written for Ella. Again, Paich's orchestration put this one over the top. (Only Nelson Riddle could have improved, I suspect) A track of note is "WHATEVER LOLA WANTS", a song tackled by every female chanteuse out there since its publishing. Ella doesn't over-do it, and never tries to upstage "Sassy" Vaughan's classic reading. A long anticipated re-release from Verve, that will leave you aching for more of the Ella and Paich sessions. Their "WHISPER NOT" album should rightfully follow very soon, as the masses have been begging Verve for it for years, but still no definite plans from Verve. Meanwhile, there's always the "ELLA SWINGS LIGHTLY" package that Paich orchestrated in 1960, which is still in print and also recommended. Thank you VERVE for this great old album's re-release!"
The One That Got Away
Geoffrey Mark Fidelman | Sherman Oaks, CA United States | 03/19/2001
(4 out of 5 stars)
"As Ella's Biographer, I do not really believe as many others do that this is one of her best efforts. When Ella tackled sophisticated Broadway material, as opposed to tin pan alley pop, she needed a strong hand to help with her interpretations. She doesn't really get one here. I spoke with Marty Paich before his untimely death, and he did not remember being a part of this album at all. If Paich was the man in charge, why did they re-do "If I Were A Bell" from their previous album in 1958? This album did not do well when originally released, which is why it was never re-released on vinyl or on CD before now. Don't get me wrong: none of Ella's Verve albums are bad, but with Sweet Songs for Swingers, Hello, Dolly!, and Whisper Not still unavailble in the US or imported from Japan, I am curious at the choice of releasing this one now. The best track for my money? "Hernando's Hideaway""
Makes me feel warm all over...
pikapaldb8r | Englewood, CO USA | 05/01/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Although the repetoire is a bit mixed from the opera-ish "My Fair Lady" to the classical Broadway "Guys and Dolls," this album somehow pulls the collection of songs all together.I appreciated that this album also includes some beautiful songs from Loesser's lesser known show "The Most Happy Fella." Ella brings warmth to "Warm All Over" with her rich, sonorous voice along with a simple piano accompaniment, showing divergence from her normal jazzy voice.Ella's renditioin of Dites-Moi changes the song from a children's tune to a flirtatious love song. In general, the way she makes the songs her own and puts new twists on some old standards made this an amazing album. (The awesome arrangements and accompaniments also helped as well)."
Ella sings Broadway with unfailing honesty and warmth
Matthew G. Sherwin | last seen screaming at Amazon customer service | 06/29/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Ella Fitzgerald will always retain the title of The First Lady Of Song; and her numerous contributions to the arts enriched our lives for decades during the twentieth century. This CD features Ella singing Broadway show tunes--something she didn't routinely perform. Ella attacks these numbers with all her might; and she proves herself to be a strong force when she sings these songs. Ella's voice is rich, warm and vibrant; and Marty Paich's arrangements fit the bill just right. This CD proves it.
The track set begins with "Hernando's Hideaway" from "Pajama Game." The horns and the percussion carry the bulk of the melody while Ella sings this classic romantic ballad. Awesome! Ella sings with her usual panache and her excellent diction makes her performance all the stronger. Listen for some striking vocal gymnastics from Ella, too. Impressive!
"Almost Like Being In Love" comes from "Brigadoon." Ella and the band swing brightly and Ella bats this one straight out of the ball park. Ella's voice still possesses a girlish quality that endears me to her artistry; and the musical arrangement makes great use of the horns. In addition, the backup chorus harmonizes to perfection on "Almost Like Being In Love." "Dites-Moi" comes from "South Pacific;" Ella sings a rarely heard opening verse to enhance the beauty of this number. I believe "Dites-Moi" will charm you completely! The big band flavor is different from the treatment this song got in the movie; but it works very well nonetheless.
"I Could Have Danced All Night" from "My Fair Lady" sports another big band style treatment; and Ella sings this without a superfluous note. Ella's vocal athletics serve her well as she delivers this romantic number just right. "Show Me" also comes from "My Fair Lady;" "Show Me" gets a slightly minor key right at the start but it works well as Ella does "Show Me" with a backup chorus bolstering the number even further. The key and tempo changes in "Show Me" impress me greatly.
"Whatever Lola Wants" is, of course, another very famous love ballad from "Damn Yankees." Ella sings this passionately with panache, confidence and a steamy warmth that makes Ella's interpretation THE definitive interpretation of "Whatever Lola Wants." Excellent! "Guys And Dolls" comes, of course, from the Broadway show of the same name; Ella sings this wonderfully as the horns and percussion swing and sway flawlessly with yet another bid band style arrangement.
The CD set ends "Somebody Somewhere" from "The Most Happy Fella." The horns signal the beginning of a smooth, silky love ballad that gets the royal treatment from Ella and the musicians. This joyous song swings slow and easy as Ella sings of her wonderful love affair.
The liner notes include the original essay for the record album cardboard jacket by Benny Green; and David Hajdu contributes an informative essay about Ella and how this album came to be. The artwork reflects good judgment, too.
Ella Fitzgerald never did anything halfway; and we are all better off for that. This album gives us a rare example of Ella singing nothing but some of the greatest show tunes of the day. I highly recommend this CD for Ella Fitzgerald fans and fans of Broadway show tunes. People who enjoy classic pop vocals will enjoy this album as well.