The Best of the Songbooks

( 5 )

Editorial Reviews

All Music Guide
Simply a grand and eloquent performance put together by Verve records highlighting the best years of Ella Fitzgerald -- that sassy, charming legendary singer in jazz. The Best of the Songbooks features a captivating lineup of some of jazz's greatest composers and arrangers. It is here that Fitzgerald records and sings songs of Cole Porter, Richard Rogers and Lorenz Hart, Duke Ellington, Irving Berlin, George & Ira Gershwin, Harold Arlen, Jerome Kern, and Johnny Mercer. Presented first is a rousing and captivating rendition of "Something's Gotta Give," a jazzed up, high stepping tune just right for finger snapping, with "enough brass to propel her across the finish line." Blazing up the tune, Fitzgerald soon melts ...
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More About This Product

Editorial Reviews

All Music Guide
Simply a grand and eloquent performance put together by Verve records highlighting the best years of Ella Fitzgerald -- that sassy, charming legendary singer in jazz. The Best of the Songbooks features a captivating lineup of some of jazz's greatest composers and arrangers. It is here that Fitzgerald records and sings songs of Cole Porter, Richard Rogers and Lorenz Hart, Duke Ellington, Irving Berlin, George & Ira Gershwin, Harold Arlen, Jerome Kern, and Johnny Mercer. Presented first is a rousing and captivating rendition of "Something's Gotta Give," a jazzed up, high stepping tune just right for finger snapping, with "enough brass to propel her across the finish line." Blazing up the tune, Fitzgerald soon melts the engaging listener's heart with the heartwarming ballad "Love is Here to Stay." Perhaps the most challenging and appealing number from the Berlin songbook, "I've Got My Love to Keep Me Warm," is sung most effectively, racing through with a sense of dignified grace like a master storyteller. After a dreamy ballad, Fitzgerald would usually close the set with the haunting "Miss Otis Regrets" as an encore, remaining one of her most requested songs. No other song brings to light her ability to glide into a song as the opening of "'S Wonderful," on which Fitzgerald adds a Charleston-era slang with great charisma in the verse. Cole Porter's "Love for Sale" is credibly one of her most haunting tunes, featuring a musician's muted trumpets that set the stage for higher-quality adult music with more passionate and sensual substance. Always a crowd favorite, Ella Fitzgerald shines with an enchanting rendition of "They Can't Take That Away From Me." The melody on "Midnight Sun" melts with the gripping sound of session musician Riddle, never taking away the poignancy of this work. Then there's other classics such as "Hooray for Love" and the flashy "Cotton Tail" to tingle and tickle the listener's fancy. This collection brings forth a sparkling blend of both Ella Fitzgerald, the lady and voice, and captures her spirit and ambiance with a perfect balance of up-tempo brass band hits and soft ballads. This songbook series is ensured to be a compelling and gratifying collection foretelling her legacy for some time to come. Originally, more than two hundred songs written by America's greatest 20th century composers were chosen to represent Ella Fitzgerald in a series. The Best of the Songbooks highlights that work. This is highly recommended and is sure to put a smile on the faces of the most novice and discriminating listeners. ~ Shawn Haney
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Product Details

  • Release Date: 9/21/1993
  • Label: Polygram Records
  • UPC: 731451980428
  • Catalog Number: 519804
  • Sales rank: 3,255

Album Credits

Performance Credits
Ella Fitzgerald Primary Artist, Vocals
Cat Anderson Trumpet
Bob Cooper Tenor Saxophone
Buddy DeFranco Clarinet
Paul Gonsalves Tenor Saxophone
Johnny Hodges Alto Saxophone
Barney Kessel Guitar
Ray Nance Trumpet
Ted Nash Alto Saxophone
Paul Smith Piano
Willie Smith Alto Saxophone
Ben Webster Tenor Saxophone
Willie Cook Trumpet
Jimmy Woode Bass
Buddy Bregman Conductor
Russell Procope Clarinet, Alto Saxophone
Quentin Jackson Trombone
Britt Woodman Trombone
Larry Bunker Vibes
Harry Carney Bass Clarinet, Baritone Saxophone
Clark Terry Trumpet
John Collins Guitar
Don Fagerquist Trumpet
Duke Ellington Piano
Frank Flynn Vibes
Jimmy Hamilton Clarinet, Tenor Saxophone
Al Hendrickson Guitar
Joe Mondragon Bass
Nelson Riddle Conductor
John Sanders Trombone
Stuff Smith Violin
Alvin Stoller Drums
Paul Weston Conductor
Sam Woodyard Drums
Technical Credits
Buddy Bregman Arranger
Norman Granz Producer
Michael Lang Compilation Supervisor
Nelson Riddle Arranger
Phil Schaap Remastering
Jon Schapiro Contributor
Val Valentin Engineer
Paul Weston Arranger
Andrew Nicholas Mastering
Suha Gur Mastering
Geoffrey Mark Fidelman Liner Notes
Chris Thompson Art Direction
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Customer Reviews

Average Rating 5
( 5 )
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Sort by: Showing all of 5 Customer Reviews

  • Posted October 1, 2010

    Great Collection

    This is the first time that I have purchased any Ella Fitzgerald music. What a great collection to start with. Great music to relax to. Can't wait to sit on my patio, sipping tea and listening to this mellow music.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted October 1, 2010

    Great songs

    The songs and sound quality are great. I love this woman's voice. There are so many big hits here. Play all the samples

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  • Anonymous

    Posted October 1, 2010

    I agree!

    This album is awesome! I've had it for quite a while and still listen to it. Most albums you wear out after the first 2 weeks or so and have to take a break for a while. Not this one. I've been going on it for a year now and I'm still not in need of a break! Isn't Ella great?!

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  • Anonymous

    Posted October 1, 2010

    Definitely THE BEST of songbooks

    This has got to be the best collection of classic jazz hits, performed by the Queen of Jazz. Every selection provides a finger popping, foot stomping environs for listeners of all ages. A DEFINITE BEST OF SONGBOOK. I would HIGHLY RECOMMEND this title.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted December 29, 2011

    No text was provided for this review.

Sort by: Showing all of 5 Customer Reviews