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Favorite Ella Recordings

Ella Fitzgerald's career spanned many decades, and her vocal style varied markedly over the years. So too her choice of accompaniment, ranging from simple piano to full orchestra. Her recorded catalog is staggering in size.

Although I've purchased and enjoyed several albums, I feel I'm shooting in the dark. I need help from some of the experts out there to narrow my choices.

What I'm looking for is the smaller group, more intimate albums, that have what I'll call the "timeless" feel to them. Maybe I'm not describing this properly, but some of her work has arrangements that died (properly!) before I was born. While I can usually filter this out if the vocal is really good, my wife and kids think I've fallen off the planet when I play them.

Decent remastering is always a plus. My system does a great job with vocals, and a good transfer definitely enhances the experience.

CD format only please (yes I know analog would be preferred, but that's not my system (at least for now!)

Thanks!
bama214
Post removed 
easy_e
95 posts
 
I'd avoid the live recordings. There's nothing more annoying than the scattin' of Ella Fitzgerald.
Actually, I'd first pursue, if you haven't already, recordings of Dinah Washington, Abby Lincoln, Nancy Wilson, Peggy Lee, Rosemary Clooney, Anita O'Day, Nina Simone, and Betty Carter.

Sorry to be so negative about Ella but I think she's simply way overrated.

e.
rny
54 posts
 
The songbooks recommendation is an excellent one. I will to seek out Tvad's title also. "Take Love Easy" - Ella with Joe Pass, is one I found to match the description of what you're looking for.
waltersalas's avatar
waltersalas
952 posts
 

What Pbb said.

The Ken Burns "whitman's sampler" isn't a bad overview either--not to mention cost-effective--but the Songbooks are worth every penny.
cmo
471 posts
 
My Favorite Ella recordings are the ones she made with Satchmo and his band......... I agree with easy e too check out some of the other great female jazz singers from the 30's through the mid 60's. While I don't think Ella could ever be overrated there are some others who don't get the same attention in some circles.

PS dont forget Billie Holiday....... Songs for Distingue Lovers is one of my favorites and fits your small ensemble very well (the band swings so hard it's insane).
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