Ella Sings Gershwin
Kerri Zocher Olson | Wausau, WI, USA | 02/22/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Back in the 80's I bought the LP version of this album and fell in love with it. For years, I have been looking for the CD version in stores to no avail.Last Thursday night, Feb. 17, the album was mentioned on an episode of "Frazer" which prompted me to renew my search for this wonderful piece of music.I have never heard anyone sings Gershwin's love songs like Ella. She brings out the true feeling of these songs like no one else can.Whenever I want to sing Gershwin song's I put on this album."
Sublime Ella & Ellis
Andrew Velez | New York, NY USA | 12/07/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"In the 1950s, Ella Fitzgerald had her splendid multi-disc Gershwin Songbook with Nelson Riddle, which has become a classic in its own right. This earlier single LP is the one I still prefer. She's accompanied by the great Ellis Larkins and together make a sublime pair, easy, relaxed and infinitely mellow. Larkins, a fine musician who also did some exceptional recordings with Lee Wiley, among others, is the most sympathetic of companions here for Ella. Could there ever be a more tender version of "But Not For Me" or a happier up tempo than these two on "Soon"? In the late 1960s, I had the great pleasure of meeting Ella in person. She was entertaining at a party where I was a guest. After her set, I took the opportunity to tlk with her. She was rather shy at first, but became very responsive when I told her how much her music I loved her music. I mentioned this album as a particular favorite and the next thing you know we were flying along as we compared each of our favorites among her many recordings. We agreed on all of them including this one. There was only one which I still like, but she didn't think was so good. (It was the soundtrack for LET NO MAN WRITE MY EPITAPH). Many years have gone by since I first listened to this album. It was among the very first recordings I ever owned of hers, and I will continue to treasure it until they carry me out."
Chuck the Nelson Riddle songbooks and get this
Michael Hayes | NYC | 04/28/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I have an LP copy of this album, alas with skips in two of the songs. I finally thought of looking for this on CD, and am glad I shelled out for the exorbitant price for this import. Ellis Larkins' piano, with occasional accompanyment from a larger ensemble, perfectly sets off Ella's readings of these songs."
Track Listings (12) - Disc #1