Home » Jazz Articles » Album Review » Ella Fitzgerald: Ella Fitzgerald Sings the Irving Berlin Song Book

Ella Fitzgerald: Ella Fitzgerald Sings the Irving Berlin Song Book

By C. Andrew Hovan
January 1, 2001
Sign in to view read count

Between the years 1956 and 1964, Ella Fitzgerald recorded a number of song books. These full sets of music, featuring the work of such major composers as Cole Porter and the Gershwin Brothers, form a major cornerstone of her recorded legacy. Made available on a two-disc set for the first time, The Irving Berlin Song Book features 32 chestnuts performed by the great lady of song and backed discreetly by the Paul Weston Orchestra. This sleeper might be the least well known among the series, yet it hits an agreeable and definitely likeable spot and also benefits from the use of a talented rhythm section (Paul Smith, Barney Kessel, Joe Mondragon, and Alvin Stoller) and such star soloists as Harry “Sweets” Edison, Matty Matlock, and Juan Tizol.

With an assured delivery and effortless swing, Fitzgerald presents definitive performances and their lasting appeal comes through piquantly on this smartly packaged set. A good deal of the numbers have fallen from popular appeal, but such classics as “Let’s Face the Music and Dance,” “Puttin’ On the Ritz,” “Cheek to Cheek,” “How Deep Is the Ocean?” and “Blue Skies” mix well with the lesser known items. Enough said here; this is top-notch Ella material and well worth a listen.

Track Listing

DISC ONE Let's Face the Music and Dance, You're Laughing at Me, Let Yourself Go, You Can Have Him, Russian Lullaby, Puttin' On the Ritz, Get Thee Behind Me, Satan, Alexander's Ragtime Band, Top Hat, White Tie, and Tails, How About Me?, Cheek to Cheek, I Used to Be Color Blind, Lazy, How Deep Is the Ocean?, All by Myself, (You Forgot to) Remember DISC TWO Supper Time, How's Chances?, Heat Wave, Isn't This a Lovely Day, You Keep Coming Back Like a Song, Reaching for the Moon, (Let's Go) Slumming on Park Avenue, The Song Is Ended, I'm Puttin' All My Eggs in One Basket, Now It Can Be Told, Always, It's a Lovely Day, Today, Change Partners, No Strings (I'm Fancy Free), I've Got My Love to Keep Me Warm, Blue Skies

Personnel

Ella Fitzgerald

vocals

Ella Fitzgerald (vocal)with Paul Weston's orchestra (collective personnel): J. Best, P. Candoli, Sweets Edison, D. Fagerquist, M. Klein (trumpet), E. Kusby, D. Noel, W. Schaefer (trombone), J. Tizol (valve trombone) G. Cipriano, C. Gentry, L. Hartman, M. Matlock, T. Nash, B. Russin, F. Stulce (woodwinds), Paul Smith (piano), Barney Kessel(guitar), Joe Mondragon & Jack Ryan (bass), Alvin Stoller (drums), Weston (arranger, conductor)

Album information

Title: Ella Fitzgerald Sings the Irving Berlin Song Book | Year Released: 2001 | Record Label: Verve Music Group

About Ella Fitzgerald Follow

Instrument: Vocals

Related Articles | Albums | Photos | Similar To

Tags

For the Love of Jazz

All About Jazz has been a pillar of jazz since 1995, championing it as an art form and, more importantly, supporting the musicians who create it. Our enduring commitment has made "AAJ" one of the most culturally important websites of its kind, read by hundreds of thousands of fans, musicians and industry figures every month.

You Can Help

To expand our coverage even further and develop new means to foster jazz discovery and connectivity we need your help. You can become a sustaining member for a modest $20 and in return, we'll immediately hide those pesky ads plus provide access to future articles for a full year. This winning combination will vastly improve your AAJ experience and allow us to vigorously build on the pioneering work we first started in 1995. So enjoy an ad-free AAJ experience and help us remain a positive beacon for jazz by making a donation today.