Ella Fitzgerald "Sings the Essential Cole Porter Song Book" (1956)

Sings the Essential Cole Porter Song Book

release date: May 1956

format: vinyl (2022 reissue - Colored Series - yellow)

[album rate: 4 / 5]

producer: Norman Granz

label: 20th Century Masterworks - nationality: USA

Album by Ella Fitzgerald, which happens to be a shortened version of the double album Ella Fitzgerald Sings the Cole Porter Song Book (May 1956) released on Verve Records containing 32 tracks. This 'truncated' version contains 14 tracks, and despite all fourteen songs truly are essential, I see no good reason to leave out the remaining tracks. The album has been reissued in various formats, including longer editions with alternate recordings. Good news is, Verve Records have reissued the 2 lp vinyl album in its original form, which of course is the right one to get.

1956 double album

Ella Fitzgerald "Classic Ella Fitzgerald" (2000)

Classic Ella Fitzgerald (compilation)
release date: May 29, 2000
format: digital
[album rate: 3,5 / 5]

Track highlights: 1. "Makin' Whoopee" - 2. "Dream a Little Dream of Me" (with Louis Armstrong) - 4. "How High the Moon" - 8. "I'm Gonna Wash That Man Right Outta My Hair" - 11. "Lover, Come Back to Me" - 12. "How Long Has This Been Going On?" - 14. "It's Only a Paper Moon"

A compilation album with Ella Fitzgerald released on Universal Records in the series 'The Universal Masters Collection'. It's a another fine collection of mostly standards and big band vocal jazz.

Ella Fitzgerald "The Best of the Song Books" (1993)

The Best of the Song Books (compilation)

release date: 1993
format: digital
[album rate: 3,5 / 5]
producer: various
label: Verve Records - nationality: USA

A compilation album with Ella Fitzgerald released on Verve Records. This selection of 16 tracks is taken from The Complete Ella Fitzgerald Song Books, a 16-CD box set from 1993. All recordings were remastered from the original LP sources. Although, far from sufficient this is another fine primarily vocal jazz collection.

Ella Fitzgerald "Legendary Singers: Ella Fitzgerald" (1985)

Legendary Singers: Ella Fitzgerald (compilation)
release date: 1985
format: vinyl 2 lp (box set)
[album rate: 4 / 5]
producer: various
label: Time Life Music - nationality: USA

A 2 lp box set released on Time Life Music. This was my first acquisition with Ella, and it's more than fine. It's the third in the series of Legendary Singers, and it contains great vocal jazz performances.

Ella Fitzgerald "Ella Swings Gently With Nelson" (1962)

Ella Swings Gently With Nelson

release date: Jan. 1962
format: cd (1993 reissue)
[album rate: 4 / 5]
producer: Norman Ganz
label: Verve Records - nationality: USA

One of the best studio albums with Ella Fitzgerald released on Verve Records. Just prior to this, she released the double lp Ella Swings Brightly With Nelson (1962), an album that secured her the 1963 Grammy Award for best female performance. I haven't heard that album, but I really like this one 'cause it's not entirely a collection of standards but more songs of vocal jazz, which I guess the other album is too. 'Nelson' refers to Nelson Riddle and Orchestra. Both albums with Nelson were recorded in '61.

Ella Fitzgerald "Ella Wishes You a Swinging Christmas" (1960)

Original cover

Ella Wishes You a Swinging Christmas
release date: 1960
format: cd / vinyl (2017 reissue)
[album rate: 4 / 5]
producer: various
label: Verve / DOL - nationality: USA

Track highlights: 1. "Jingle Bells" - 2. "Santa Claus Is Coming to Town" - 3. "The Christmas Song" - 6. "Winter Wonderland" - 8. "Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!" - 9. "White Christmas" - 11. "Frosty, the Snowman"

A Christmas studio album with Ella Fitzgerald released on Verve Records. My cd version is the Verve Master Edition remastered and released in 2002, and my vinyl edition is released on European label DOL with a frequently used alternative cover.
This is entirely Christmas songs but a rather fine collection. The original album contains 12 tracks, the remastered edition: 18 tracks. Normally, I prefer original releases to Expanded, Deluxe Editions, or Bonus tracks editions with new or additional songs, but with the cd issue, it somehow makes sense to have an expanded version 'cause they're are perfectly within the context of the original album, although, 3 of the 6 bonus tracks are basically 'only' alternate versions of the original recordings.

2002 Verve Master Edition		2017 vinyl reissue

Ella Fitzgerald "Hello, Love" (1959)

Hello, Love
release date: 1959
format: digital
[album rate: 3,5 / 5]

A 1950s studio album with Ella Fitzgerald with recordings made between 1957-1959. My cd edition is the 2004 remastered edition on the original label, Verve Records. I enjoy most albums with this great singer, although, I like her most when she sings vocal jazz only. But there's absolutely nothing wrong about her versions of the 'Great American Songbook' of standards, it's just that so many other good and great artists have made their versions, and it's sometimes hard to tell the big differences. And then again: singing the standards was what brought her fame! Several of the songs here, appear (in different versions) on previous albums including her two albums with Louis Armstrong, Ella & Louis (1956) and Ella & Louis Again (1957).

Ella Fitzgerald & Louis Armstrong "Ella and Louis" (1956)

Ella and Louis [debut]
release date: Oct. 1956
format: digital (2007 remaster)
[album rate: 4 / 5]

Tracklist: 1. "Can't We Be Friends?" - 2. "Isn't This a Lovely Day?" - 3. "Moonlight in Vermont" - 4. "They Can't Take That Away From Me" - 5. "Under a Blanket of Blue" - 6. "Tenderly" - 7. "A Foggy Day" - 8. "Stars Fell on Alabama" - 9. "Cheek to Cheek" - 10. "The Nearness of You" - 11. "April in Paris"

First collaboration album featuring Ella Fitzgerald & Louis Armstrong. My cd edition was remastered in 2007. This album is simply wonderful. I don't own a lot of music from the '50s but this is definitely one of the best of a decade. It's such a warm and positive album, and it just makes you wanna smile. I have several albums with Ella 'cause I simply love her fantastic voice but this is one of a few ones with Louis.

Ella Fitzgerald "Lullabies of Birdland" (1955)

Lullabies of Birdland

release date: 1955

format: vinyl (1960 reissue, DL 8149)

[album rate: 4 / 5] [3,92]

producer: various

label: Decca - nationality: USA

Early compilation album by Ella Fitzgerald with eleven tracks stemming from older recordings, which have all been previously issued for 78rpm singles during the late 1940s and early 1950s (track #11 is recorded in 1945, tracks #5 & #8 are from 1947, track #9 from 1949, tracks #2-4 & #10 from 1952, tracks #1 & #6 from 1954, and track #7 from 1955).

These recordings are a fine treat and despite some missing dynamics, mostly issues with vocal range, this compilation is remarkably good.