Search - Ella Fitzgerald :: Sings the Cole Porter Song Book

Ella + Cole = Near Perfection

L. J. Allen | Atlanta, GA United States | 01/10/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

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Many superlatives have been written about Cole Porter's compositions. Indeed, aside from Irving Berlin, Porter was the only one of the Tin Pan Alley/Popular Song Era composers who wrote his own lyrics. His certain sassiness, irreverent jubilance, and impeccable lyricism never insulted the intelligence of the listener or the singer! In this 2CD set (from 1956) Ella Fitzgerald's near perfect portamento and phrasing meets Cole Porter's dazzling compositions head on. All 35 tracks are certain to delight Fitzgerald & Porter aficionados and dilettantes alike. A notable highlight of these recordings is Fitzgerald's interpretation of "Love For Sale". Delivered here with an atypical coquettishness, she further demonstrates how a great song aids and abets the best--and occasionally hidden--qualities of a great vocalist. Ella singing Cole Porter is about as close to perfection as you're likely to get."

THE ULTIMATE READING OF THE ULTIMATE SONGBOOK

Michael | Edinburgh | 10/21/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"When released, the Cole Porter songbook became one of the biggest selling jazz albums in history and its no wonder. Ella's voice and Porter's witty style combine to make a devilishly stylish combination. Readings of songs such as 'Night and Day' provide the listener with a relaxed yet powerful feeling of enjoyment. This album suits any listener with a love of good music and is worth every penny. Five stars +++"

Exquisite Ella: Perfect Porter

Leonard Fleisig | Here, there and everywhere | 03/23/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"In any rational list of the 20th-century's top song-stylists, Ella Fitzgerald would have to rank in the Top 5. Ella had a wonderful, distinct voice and style. Many singers have great skills. Many have perfect pitch and great intonation. But very few singers can use their voice like a fine instrument. Ella was one of those select few.



Apart from having a wonderful voice, Ella was next to incomparable when it came to interpreting lyrics. It is no wonder that lyricists loved her and were ecstatic when she covered one of their songs. It is also no wonder that during the course of her career Ella recorded various "Song Books" in which she took the work of a great composer/lyricist and dedicated an album or two to their work. Ella did Irving Berlin, Harold Arlen, Rodgers & Hart, the Gershwins', and Jerome Kern song books among others. They are all wonderful to listen to, all 5-star performances (with the possible exception of the Gershwin song book) but my favorite of all her song books is this one: "Ella Fitzgerald Sings the Cole Porter Song Book".



Although the first half of the 20th century had a surplus of great songwriters (see the above) there was something about Cole Porter's that has kept those lyrics fresh and even edgy in the 21st-century. The pairing of Fitzgerald and Porter then is the equivalent of the perfect. A lyricist whose lyrics are funny, witty, charming and, yes, poetic and a singer capable of doing justice to those great lyrics makes for a memorable CD.



This is a 2-CD set (the product description lists it incorrectly as 4). It contains an awful lot of Porter's great songs. Anything Goes, Too Darn Hot, Let's Do it, and I'm Always True to You in My Fashion are my highlights for CD-1. Night and Day, I've Got You Under My Skin, Love for Sale, and You're the Top, top off CD-2. Ella recorded these in 1956, exactly half a century ago under the auspices of the wonderful producer Norman Granz. Verve Records has restored the masters and the sound quality is excellent for a re-mastered recording.



Cole Porter once said that "In olden days a glimpse of stockings, was looked on as something shocking, Now heaven knows, anything goes." Well, all these decades later these songs go great with anything. You can enjoy them "in the still of the night" or "all through the night". These songs "do something to me" and I can say nothing more than this CD is the tops, it's the Tower of Pisa, it's the smile on the Mona Lisa.



If you can find this available, do yourself a favor and buy it, then sit back and enjoy.

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