Sold Date: September 24, 2022
Start Date: May 22, 2022
Final Price: $19.00 (USD)
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The subtitle of this LP reads "Ella Jams", which basically describes this LP. Even at 57 years-old, Ella Fitzgerald still proves she's GOT IT ! Producer Norman Granz (who at this point had been recording Ella for decades) assembles basically the "Cream of the Crop" in the jazz world playing alongside Ella. She definitely rises to the occasion.
The biggest criticism you can throw at Ella is her somewhat lack of "emotionalism" when singing "down and out" material -- the bluesier jazz songs. Yes, she could swing with the best of them, but when it came time to sing the blues or songs with a downbeat message, Ella had a problem in her interpretations. With the same material, Ella's contemporary and biggest rival -- Billie Holiday -- exceled with this stuff. But on this LP, Ella proves she can dig far deep into her material. Perhaps at this stage in her long storied career, Ella had reached a point where she could see life from a different perspective, which probably contributed to her newfound interpretation of these songs that maybe she couldn't manage even 10 years earlier.
Nothing demonstrates this better than the title track where Ella tackles the song so identified with (and written by) Billie Holiday --- "Fine and Mellow". This track alone is worth the purchase price. Ella uses her slightly rough-hewn vocals and wide vibrato (both due to age) to great effect. Her jazz guys are simply superb playing alongside her. A gorgeous song sung and played by Ella and her guys. This track loses nothing to the original so well done by Billie in many different interpretations.
It's also refreshing to hear Ella singing in a jazz setting again after countless orchestra recordings (it can get tiring). This context is really where Ella shines, using her jazz improvisational skills and "jamming" with her guys in the studio. Actually this recording doesn't have the feel or sound of a studio. The sound quality is Excellent, more like hearing Ella live in a nightclub or jazz joint. Really a worthwhile effort and one of Ella's best recordings after her glory days at Verve Records in the Fifties and Sixties. By the 1970's, jazz critics were starting to write Ella off, but here in 1974, at 57 years-old, Ella still proves she has what it takes when the occasion presented itself.
All songs on this LP are sung, played and recorded Superbly, but nothing really surpasses the title song, "Fine and Mellow".
CONDITION: Used VINYL: VG+ JACKET: VG. Some edge wear. No splits.
TRACK LISTING:
A1 Fine And Mellow Written-By – Billie Holiday 6:05 A2 I'm Just A Lucky So And So Written-By – Duke Ellington 6:35 A3 (I Don't Stand) A Ghost Of A Chance With You Written-By – Crosby*, Washington*, Young* 5:01 A4 Rockin' In Rhythm Written-By – Duke Ellington 6:00 B1 I'm In The Mood For Love Written-By – Dorothy Fields, Jimmy McHugh 3:15 B2 'Round Midnight Written-By – Hanighen*, Williams*, Monk* 4:37 B3 I Can't Give Anything But Love Written-By – Dorothy Fields, Jimmy McHugh 4:10 B4 The Man I Love Written-By – George Gershwin, Ira Gershwin 6:45 B5 Polka Dots And Moonbeams Written-By – Burke / Van Heusen* 5:03
AZEB-JPHBX29-2MM-ELLA-PABLO-2130-829