Ella+fitzgerald

For this Pablo set (reissued on CD), Ella Fitzgerald is heard on half of the program in duets with pianist Oscar Peterson and for the remainder in trios with Peterson and bassist Ray Brown. In general the performances are memorable (particularly "How Long Has This Been Going On," "More than You Know," "Midnight Sun" and "April in Paris" ) with the emphasis on ballads. Although her voice had slipped a little by this time, the results are still rewarding and swinging. ~ AllMusic

Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong make for a charming team on this CD. Accompanied by pianist Oscar Peterson, guitarist Herb Ellis, bassist Ray Brown, and drummer Buddy Rich, Fitzgerald and Armstrong perform 11 standards with joy and swing. There are touches of Satch's trumpet, but this is primarily a vocal set with the emphasis on tasteful renditions of ballads. Its follow-up, Ella & Louis Again, is also worth getting. ~ AllMusic

Ella Fitzgerald was the supreme jazz singer. Sarah Vaughan may have been more technically complex and Billie Holiday may have been more rawly emotional, but Ella approached the nearest to what a true jazz vocalist can be. Even at the age of 66, when this "Jazz at the Philharmonic" concert was filmed in Tokyo, she was still magnificent. Admittedly her voice had become a little quavery - especially when using vibrato - but her spirit and jazz feeling were undiminished. Time and again during this concert, one marvels at the adroitness of her voice and the inventiveness of her improvisations. She used her voice like a musician playing jazz on an instrument, and thus she epitomised jazz.

This attractive three-CD set gives listeners an overview of Ella Fitzgerald's Verve recordings, although the inclusion of seven previously unissued cuts (in addition to 44 that are mostly available in more complete form elsewhere) will frustrate some completists. However the careful selection of representative performances along with the informative and lengthy text make this highly enjoyable reissue (which captures her in prime form) recommended even to collectors who have most of the singer's albums.

Ella Fitzgerald - The Complete Decca Singles, Vol. 1: 1935-1939 (2017) {4CD Set, Verve Reissues, Digital Only Issue}
FLAC (tracks) - 16bit/44.1kHz - Digital Download -> 1.11 Gb | MP3 @320 -> 683 Mb | Cover | 5% repair rar
© 1935-39, 2017 Verve Reissues / UMG | Digital Only Issue
Jazz / Vocal Jazz / Bop / Standards / Swing

Come on folks, this is ELLA FITZGERALD we're talking about. Ella from her early years, recording for Decca Records. Oh the songs on this collection! Oh the memories! Every single song is fabulous and if you like music, you need to own this collection. Not just Jazz, not just Swing, not just Pop - but all Ella, all GREAT. Highly recommended.