Sings the Johnny Mercer Song Book

( 1 )

Editorial Reviews

All Music Guide - Stephen Cook
Along with her Rodgers and Hart collection, this is one of the best of Ella Fitzgerald's songbooks. Fitzgerald's assured and elegant voice is a perfect match for Mercer's urbane lyrics and Nelson Riddle's supple arrangements. In light of this decorous setting, it's not surprising that Mercer's swagger-heavy numbers like "I Wanna Be Around" and "One More For My Baby" are skipped in favor of more poised selections such as "Early Autumn" and "Skylark." Even traditionally hard-swinging numbers such as "Day In Day Out" and "Something's Gotta Give" are kept in check with Riddle's vaporous, flute-heavy backing and Fitzgerald's velvet tone. Slower numbers like "Laura" and ...
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More About This Product

Editorial Reviews

All Music Guide - Stephen Cook
Along with her Rodgers and Hart collection, this is one of the best of Ella Fitzgerald's songbooks. Fitzgerald's assured and elegant voice is a perfect match for Mercer's urbane lyrics and Nelson Riddle's supple arrangements. In light of this decorous setting, it's not surprising that Mercer's swagger-heavy numbers like "I Wanna Be Around" and "One More For My Baby" are skipped in favor of more poised selections such as "Early Autumn" and "Skylark." Even traditionally hard-swinging numbers such as "Day In Day Out" and "Something's Gotta Give" are kept in check with Riddle's vaporous, flute-heavy backing and Fitzgerald's velvet tone. Slower numbers like "Laura" and "Midnight Sun" add dramatic contrast with their enigmatic tonal backdrops and elongated vocal phrasing. Fitzgerald's Mercer songbook has become something of an overlooked gem partly because of the popularity of her Cole Porter and Gershwin collections. It's a shame, because this songbook is beautifully executed by Fitzgerald and Riddle and contains wonderful Mercer collaborations with, among others, Harold Arlen and Hoagy Charmichael. This is definitely one for any Fitzgerald fan and not a bad introduction to her vast catalog.
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Product Details

  • Release Date: 10/28/1997
  • Label: Polygram Records
  • UPC: 731453905726
  • Catalog Number: 539057
  • Sales rank: 17,499

Tracks

Disc 1
  1. 1 Too Marvelous for Words (2:27)
  2. 2 Early Autumn (3:47)
  3. 3 Day in - Day Out (2:42)
  4. 4 Laura (3:39)
  5. 5 This Time the Dream's on Me (2:51)
  6. 6 Skylark (3:07)
  7. 7 Single-O (3:15)
  8. 8 Something's Gotta Give (2:30)
  9. 9 Trav'lin' Light (3:47)
  10. 10 Midnight Sun (4:50)
  11. 11 Dream (2:55)
  12. 12 I Remember You (3:34)
  13. 13 When a Woman Loves a Man (3:47)
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Album Credits

Performance Credits
Ella Fitzgerald Primary Artist, Vocals
Buddy DeFranco Clarinet
Plas Johnson Tenor Saxophone
Paul Smith Piano
Willie Smith Alto Saxophone
Frank Flynn Vibes
Nelson Riddle Conductor, Performing Ensemble
Nelson Riddle & His Orchestra Performing Ensemble
Technical Credits
Norman Granz Producer
Gary Giddins Liner Notes
Nelson Riddle Arranger
Val Valentin Engineer
Nelson Riddle & His Orchestra Contributor
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Customer Reviews

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    Posted September 15, 2011

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