The Complete Ella Fitzgerald Song Books

~ Release by Ella Fitzgerald (see all versions of this release, 3 available)

Annotation

Notes

This huge (and expensive) 16 discs boxset covers the totality of Fitzgerald's Song Books serie that she made for Verve during the late 50s and early 60s.
It features major works drawn from the Great American Song Book, including from Cole Porter, Harold Arlen, Jerome Kern, Duke Ellington, Irving Berlin, Rodgers & Hart, George & Ira Gershwin, and Johnny Mercer.
Given its size, nature (and price), this set is not for everyone, and newcomers would certainly be better digging one of the smallest sampler that Verve made out of this (one of the The Best of the Song Books for example).
As well, jazz hardcore fans could find themselves disappointed if they don't already know the material, and actually expect scat and swing (this is orchestral, mostly, and not of the lightest ones...).
But any completist, any serious Ella's fans, or anybody interested in this major cultural event should really consider saving money to buy this superb set.
This specific disc covers the first part of the Cole Porter songbook.

Annotation last modified on 2018-09-16 21:59 UTC.

Tracklist

1CD: Ella Fitzgerald Sings the Cole Porter Song Book
2CD: Ella Fitzgerald Sings the Cole Porter Song Book
3CD: Ella Fitzgerald Sings the Rodgers and Hart Song Book
4CD: Ella Fitzgerald Sings the Rodgers and Hart Song Book
5CD: Ella Fitzgerald Sings the Duke Ellington Song Book
6CD: Ella Fitzgerald Sings the Duke Ellington Song Book
7CD: Ella Fitzgerald Sings the Duke Ellington Song Book
#TitleRatingLength
1I’m Just a Lucky So and So
engineer:
Val Valentin
producer:
Norman Granz
alto saxophone:
Johnny Hodges (from 1957-06-25 until 1957-06-27)
alto saxophone and clarinet:
Russell Procope (from 1957-06-25 until 1957-06-27)
bass clarinet and clarinet:
Harry Carney (from 1957-06-25 until 1957-06-27)
clarinet and tenor saxophone:
Jimmy Hamilton (US jazz clarinettist/saxophonist, arranger, composer) (from 1957-06-25 until 1957-06-27)
double bass:
Jimmy Woode (from 1957-06-25 until 1957-06-27)
drums (drum set):
Sam Woodyard (from 1957-06-25 until 1957-06-27)
piano:
Duke Ellington (US composer, pianist & jazz bandleader) (from 1957-06-25 until 1957-06-27)
tenor saxophone:
Frank Foster (saxophonist) (from 1957-06-25 until 1957-06-27) and Paul Gonsalves (from 1957-06-25 until 1957-06-27)
trombone:
Quentin Jackson (from 1957-06-25 until 1957-06-27), John Sanders (US jazz trombonist) (from 1957-06-25 until 1957-06-27) and Britt Woodman (from 1957-06-25 until 1957-06-27)
trumpet:
William “Cat” Anderson (from 1957-06-25 until 1957-06-27), Willie Cook (US jazz trumpeter) (from 1957-06-25 until 1957-06-27) and Clark Terry (American swing trumpeter) (from 1957-06-25 until 1957-06-27)
trumpet and violin:
Ray Nance (from 1957-06-25 until 1957-06-27)
lead vocals:
Ella Fitzgerald (American jazz singer) (from 1957-06-25 until 1957-06-27)
performer:
Duke Ellington and His Orchestra (from 1957-06-25 until 1957-06-27)
cover recording of:
I’m Just a Lucky So and So (from 1957-06-25 until 1957-06-27)
lyricist:
Mack David (American lyricist and songwriter) (in 1945)
composer:
Duke Ellington (US composer, pianist & jazz bandleader) (in 1945)
publisher:
Paramount Music Corporation and PolyGram International (renamed Universal PolyGram International Publishing, Inc. circa 1998)
4:15
2All Too Soon
engineer:
Val Valentin
producer:
Norman Granz
alto saxophone:
Johnny Hodges (from 1957-06-25 until 1957-06-27)
alto saxophone and clarinet:
Russell Procope (from 1957-06-25 until 1957-06-27)
bass clarinet and clarinet:
Harry Carney (from 1957-06-25 until 1957-06-27)
clarinet and tenor saxophone:
Jimmy Hamilton (US jazz clarinettist/saxophonist, arranger, composer) (from 1957-06-25 until 1957-06-27)
double bass:
Jimmy Woode (from 1957-06-25 until 1957-06-27)
drums (drum set):
Sam Woodyard (from 1957-06-25 until 1957-06-27)
piano:
Duke Ellington (US composer, pianist & jazz bandleader) (from 1957-06-25 until 1957-06-27)
tenor saxophone:
Frank Foster (saxophonist) (from 1957-06-25 until 1957-06-27) and Paul Gonsalves (from 1957-06-25 until 1957-06-27)
trombone:
Quentin Jackson (from 1957-06-25 until 1957-06-27), John Sanders (US jazz trombonist) (from 1957-06-25 until 1957-06-27) and Britt Woodman (from 1957-06-25 until 1957-06-27)
trumpet:
William “Cat” Anderson (from 1957-06-25 until 1957-06-27), Willie Cook (US jazz trumpeter) (from 1957-06-25 until 1957-06-27) and Clark Terry (American swing trumpeter) (from 1957-06-25 until 1957-06-27)
trumpet and violin:
Ray Nance (from 1957-06-25 until 1957-06-27)
lead vocals:
Ella Fitzgerald (American jazz singer) (from 1957-06-25 until 1957-06-27)
performer:
Duke Ellington and His Orchestra (from 1957-06-25 until 1957-06-27)
cover recording of:
All Too Soon (from 1957-06-25 until 1957-06-27)
lyricist:
Carl Sigman (in 1940)
composer:
Duke Ellington (US composer, pianist & jazz bandleader) (in 1940)
4:24
3Everything but You
engineer:
Val Valentin
producer:
Norman Granz
alto saxophone:
Johnny Hodges (from 1957-06-25 until 1957-06-27)
alto saxophone and clarinet:
Russell Procope (from 1957-06-25 until 1957-06-27)
bass clarinet and clarinet:
Harry Carney (from 1957-06-25 until 1957-06-27)
clarinet and tenor saxophone:
Jimmy Hamilton (US jazz clarinettist/saxophonist, arranger, composer) (from 1957-06-25 until 1957-06-27)
double bass:
Jimmy Woode (from 1957-06-25 until 1957-06-27)
drums (drum set):
Sam Woodyard (from 1957-06-25 until 1957-06-27)
piano:
Duke Ellington (US composer, pianist & jazz bandleader) (from 1957-06-25 until 1957-06-27)
tenor saxophone:
Frank Foster (saxophonist) (from 1957-06-25 until 1957-06-27) and Paul Gonsalves (from 1957-06-25 until 1957-06-27)
trombone:
Quentin Jackson (from 1957-06-25 until 1957-06-27), John Sanders (US jazz trombonist) (from 1957-06-25 until 1957-06-27) and Britt Woodman (from 1957-06-25 until 1957-06-27)
trumpet:
William “Cat” Anderson (from 1957-06-25 until 1957-06-27), Willie Cook (US jazz trumpeter) (from 1957-06-25 until 1957-06-27) and Clark Terry (American swing trumpeter) (from 1957-06-25 until 1957-06-27)
trumpet and violin:
Ray Nance (from 1957-06-25 until 1957-06-27)
lead vocals:
Ella Fitzgerald (American jazz singer) (from 1957-06-25 until 1957-06-27)
performer:
Duke Ellington and His Orchestra (from 1957-06-25 until 1957-06-27)
cover recording of:
Everything but You (from 1957-06-25 until 1957-06-27)
lyricist:
Don George (US songwriter/composer, 1909–1987) (in 1945)
composer:
Duke Ellington (US composer, pianist & jazz bandleader) (in 1945) and Harry James (US big band leader, trumpeter & actor) (in 1945)
2:58
4I Got It Bad (and That Ain’t Good)
engineer:
Val Valentin
producer:
Norman Granz
alto saxophone:
Johnny Hodges (from 1957-06-25 until 1957-06-27)
alto saxophone and clarinet:
Russell Procope (from 1957-06-25 until 1957-06-27)
bass clarinet and clarinet:
Harry Carney (from 1957-06-25 until 1957-06-27)
clarinet and tenor saxophone:
Jimmy Hamilton (US jazz clarinettist/saxophonist, arranger, composer) (from 1957-06-25 until 1957-06-27)
double bass:
Jimmy Woode (from 1957-06-25 until 1957-06-27)
drums (drum set):
Sam Woodyard (from 1957-06-25 until 1957-06-27)
piano:
Duke Ellington (US composer, pianist & jazz bandleader) (from 1957-06-25 until 1957-06-27)
tenor saxophone:
Frank Foster (saxophonist) (from 1957-06-25 until 1957-06-27) and Paul Gonsalves (from 1957-06-25 until 1957-06-27)
trombone:
Quentin Jackson (from 1957-06-25 until 1957-06-27), John Sanders (US jazz trombonist) (from 1957-06-25 until 1957-06-27) and Britt Woodman (from 1957-06-25 until 1957-06-27)
trumpet:
William “Cat” Anderson (from 1957-06-25 until 1957-06-27), Willie Cook (US jazz trumpeter) (from 1957-06-25 until 1957-06-27) and Clark Terry (American swing trumpeter) (from 1957-06-25 until 1957-06-27)
trumpet and violin:
Ray Nance (from 1957-06-25 until 1957-06-27)
lead vocals:
Ella Fitzgerald (American jazz singer) (from 1957-06-25 until 1957-06-27)
performer:
Duke Ellington and His Orchestra (from 1957-06-25 until 1957-06-27)
cover recording of:
I Got It Bad (and That Ain’t Good) (from 1957-06-25 until 1957-06-27)
lyricist:
Paul Francis Webster (in 1941)
composer:
Duke Ellington (US composer, pianist & jazz bandleader) (in 1941)
publisher:
EMI Robbins Catalog Inc. (ASCAP), Robbins Music Corp., Sony/ATV Harmony and Webster Music Co.
part of:
The Real Book (compilation of jazz standards, volume I)
6:15
5Bli-Blip
engineer:
Val Valentin
producer:
Norman Granz
alto saxophone:
Johnny Hodges (from 1957-06-25 until 1957-06-27)
alto saxophone and clarinet:
Russell Procope (from 1957-06-25 until 1957-06-27)
bass clarinet and clarinet:
Harry Carney (from 1957-06-25 until 1957-06-27)
clarinet and tenor saxophone:
Jimmy Hamilton (US jazz clarinettist/saxophonist, arranger, composer) (from 1957-06-25 until 1957-06-27)
double bass:
Jimmy Woode (from 1957-06-25 until 1957-06-27)
drums (drum set):
Sam Woodyard (from 1957-06-25 until 1957-06-27)
piano:
Duke Ellington (US composer, pianist & jazz bandleader) (from 1957-06-25 until 1957-06-27)
tenor saxophone:
Frank Foster (saxophonist) (from 1957-06-25 until 1957-06-27) and Paul Gonsalves (from 1957-06-25 until 1957-06-27)
trombone:
Quentin Jackson (from 1957-06-25 until 1957-06-27), John Sanders (US jazz trombonist) (from 1957-06-25 until 1957-06-27) and Britt Woodman (from 1957-06-25 until 1957-06-27)
trumpet:
William “Cat” Anderson (from 1957-06-25 until 1957-06-27), Willie Cook (US jazz trumpeter) (from 1957-06-25 until 1957-06-27) and Clark Terry (American swing trumpeter) (from 1957-06-25 until 1957-06-27)
trumpet and violin:
Ray Nance (from 1957-06-25 until 1957-06-27)
lead vocals:
Ella Fitzgerald (American jazz singer) (from 1957-06-25 until 1957-06-27)
performer:
Duke Ellington and His Orchestra (from 1957-06-25 until 1957-06-27)
cover recording of:
Bli-Blip (from 1957-06-25 until 1957-06-27)
lyricist:
Sid Kuller
composer:
Duke Ellington (US composer, pianist & jazz bandleader)
3:05
6Chelsea Bridge
engineer:
Val Valentin
producer:
Norman Granz
alto saxophone:
Johnny Hodges (from 1957-06-25 until 1957-06-27)
alto saxophone and clarinet:
Russell Procope (from 1957-06-25 until 1957-06-27)
bass clarinet and clarinet:
Harry Carney (from 1957-06-25 until 1957-06-27)
clarinet and tenor saxophone:
Jimmy Hamilton (US jazz clarinettist/saxophonist, arranger, composer) (from 1957-06-25 until 1957-06-27)
double bass:
Jimmy Woode (from 1957-06-25 until 1957-06-27)
drums (drum set):
Sam Woodyard (from 1957-06-25 until 1957-06-27)
piano:
Duke Ellington (US composer, pianist & jazz bandleader) (from 1957-06-25 until 1957-06-27)
tenor saxophone:
Frank Foster (saxophonist) (from 1957-06-25 until 1957-06-27) and Paul Gonsalves (from 1957-06-25 until 1957-06-27)
trombone:
Quentin Jackson (from 1957-06-25 until 1957-06-27), John Sanders (US jazz trombonist) (from 1957-06-25 until 1957-06-27) and Britt Woodman (from 1957-06-25 until 1957-06-27)
trumpet:
William “Cat” Anderson (from 1957-06-25 until 1957-06-27), Willie Cook (US jazz trumpeter) (from 1957-06-25 until 1957-06-27) and Clark Terry (American swing trumpeter) (from 1957-06-25 until 1957-06-27)
trumpet and violin:
Ray Nance (from 1957-06-25 until 1957-06-27)
lead vocals:
Ella Fitzgerald (American jazz singer) (from 1957-06-25 until 1957-06-27)
performer:
Duke Ellington and His Orchestra (from 1957-06-25 until 1957-06-27)
cover recording of:
Chelsea Bridge (from 1957-06-25 until 1957-06-27)
composer:
Billy Strayhorn (in 1941)
publisher:
Tempo Music, Inc. (Duke Ellington’s music publishing company)
3:26
7Portrait of Ella Fitzgerald: Royal Ancestry / All Heart / Beyond Category / Total Jazz
engineer:
Val Valentin
producer:
Norman Granz
additional piano:
Billy Strayhorn (from 1957-08 until 1957-09)
alto saxophone:
Johnny Hodges (from 1957-06-25 until 1957-06-27)
alto saxophone and clarinet:
Russell Procope (from 1957-06-25 until 1957-06-27)
bass clarinet and clarinet:
Harry Carney (from 1957-06-25 until 1957-06-27)
clarinet and tenor saxophone:
Jimmy Hamilton (US jazz clarinettist/saxophonist, arranger, composer) (from 1957-06-25 until 1957-06-27)
double bass:
Jimmy Woode (from 1957-06-25 until 1957-06-27)
drums (drum set):
Sam Woodyard (from 1957-06-25 until 1957-06-27)
piano:
Duke Ellington (US composer, pianist & jazz bandleader) (from 1957-06-25 until 1957-06-27)
tenor saxophone:
Frank Foster (saxophonist) (from 1957-06-25 until 1957-06-27) and Paul Gonsalves (from 1957-06-25 until 1957-06-27)
trombone:
Quentin Jackson (from 1957-06-25 until 1957-06-27), John Sanders (US jazz trombonist) (from 1957-06-25 until 1957-06-27) and Britt Woodman (from 1957-06-25 until 1957-06-27)
trumpet:
William “Cat” Anderson (from 1957-06-25 until 1957-06-27), Willie Cook (US jazz trumpeter) (from 1957-06-25 until 1957-06-27) and Clark Terry (American swing trumpeter) (from 1957-06-25 until 1957-06-27)
trumpet and violin:
Ray Nance (from 1957-06-25 until 1957-06-27)
lead vocals:
Ella Fitzgerald (American jazz singer) (from 1957-06-25 until 1957-06-27)
spoken vocals:
Duke Ellington (US composer, pianist & jazz bandleader) (in 1956) and Billy Strayhorn (from 1957-08 until 1957-09)
performer:
Duke Ellington and His Orchestra (from 1957-06-25 until 1957-06-27)
recording of:
Portrait of Ella Fitzgerald: Royal Ancestry / All Heart / Beyond Category / Total Jazz (from 1957-06-25 until 1957-06-27)
lyricist:
Billy Strayhorn
composer:
Duke Ellington (US composer, pianist & jazz bandleader)
16:19
8The E and D Blues (E for Ella, D for Duke)
engineer:
Val Valentin
producer:
Norman Granz
alto saxophone:
Johnny Hodges (from 1957-06-25 until 1957-06-27)
alto saxophone and clarinet:
Russell Procope (from 1957-06-25 until 1957-06-27)
bass clarinet and clarinet:
Harry Carney (from 1957-06-25 until 1957-06-27)
clarinet and tenor saxophone:
Jimmy Hamilton (US jazz clarinettist/saxophonist, arranger, composer) (from 1957-06-25 until 1957-06-27)
double bass:
Jimmy Woode (from 1957-06-25 until 1957-06-27)
drums (drum set):
Sam Woodyard (from 1957-06-25 until 1957-06-27)
piano:
Duke Ellington (US composer, pianist & jazz bandleader) (from 1957-06-25 until 1957-06-27)
tenor saxophone:
Frank Foster (saxophonist) (from 1957-06-25 until 1957-06-27) and Paul Gonsalves (from 1957-06-25 until 1957-06-27)
trombone:
Quentin Jackson (from 1957-06-25 until 1957-06-27), John Sanders (US jazz trombonist) (from 1957-06-25 until 1957-06-27) and Britt Woodman (from 1957-06-25 until 1957-06-27)
trumpet:
William “Cat” Anderson (from 1957-06-25 until 1957-06-27), Willie Cook (US jazz trumpeter) (from 1957-06-25 until 1957-06-27) and Clark Terry (American swing trumpeter) (from 1957-06-25 until 1957-06-27)
trumpet and violin:
Ray Nance (from 1957-06-25 until 1957-06-27)
lead vocals:
Ella Fitzgerald (American jazz singer) (from 1957-06-25 until 1957-06-27)
performer:
Duke Ellington and His Orchestra (from 1957-06-25 until 1957-06-27)
recording of:
The E and D Blues (E for Ella, D for Duke) (from 1957-06-25 until 1957-06-27)
lyricist:
Billy Strayhorn
composer:
Duke Ellington (US composer, pianist & jazz bandleader)
4:55
9Rehearsal
engineer:
Val Valentin
producer:
Norman Granz
10:10
10Chelsea Bridge (alternate take)
engineer:
Val Valentin
producer:
Norman Granz
alto saxophone:
Johnny Hodges (from 1957-06-25 until 1957-06-27)
alto saxophone and clarinet:
Russell Procope (from 1957-06-25 until 1957-06-27)
bass clarinet and clarinet:
Harry Carney (from 1957-06-25 until 1957-06-27)
clarinet and tenor saxophone:
Jimmy Hamilton (US jazz clarinettist/saxophonist, arranger, composer) (from 1957-06-25 until 1957-06-27)
double bass:
Jimmy Woode (from 1957-06-25 until 1957-06-27)
drums (drum set):
Sam Woodyard (from 1957-06-25 until 1957-06-27)
piano:
Duke Ellington (US composer, pianist & jazz bandleader) (from 1957-06-25 until 1957-06-27)
tenor saxophone:
Frank Foster (saxophonist) (from 1957-06-25 until 1957-06-27) and Paul Gonsalves (from 1957-06-25 until 1957-06-27)
trombone:
Quentin Jackson (from 1957-06-25 until 1957-06-27), John Sanders (US jazz trombonist) (from 1957-06-25 until 1957-06-27) and Britt Woodman (from 1957-06-25 until 1957-06-27)
trumpet:
William “Cat” Anderson (from 1957-06-25 until 1957-06-27), Willie Cook (US jazz trumpeter) (from 1957-06-25 until 1957-06-27) and Clark Terry (American swing trumpeter) (from 1957-06-25 until 1957-06-27)
trumpet and violin:
Ray Nance (from 1957-06-25 until 1957-06-27)
lead vocals:
Ella Fitzgerald (American jazz singer) (from 1957-06-25 until 1957-06-27)
performer:
Duke Ellington and His Orchestra (from 1957-06-25 until 1957-06-27)
cover recording of:
Chelsea Bridge (from 1957-06-25 until 1957-06-27)
composer:
Billy Strayhorn (in 1941)
publisher:
Tempo Music, Inc. (Duke Ellington’s music publishing company)
3:38
8CD: Ella Fitzgerald Sings the Irving Berlin Song Book
9CD: Ella Fitzgerald Sings the Irving Berlin Song Book
10CD: Ella Fitzgerald Sings the George and Ira Gershwin Song Book
11CD: Ella Fitzgerald Sings the George and Ira Gershwin Song Book
12CD: Ella Fitzgerald Sings the George and Ira Gershwin Song Book
13CD: Ella Fitzgerald Sings the Harold Arlen Song Book
14CD: Ella Fitzgerald Sings the Harold Arlen Song Book
15CD: Ella Fitzgerald Sings the Jerome Kern Song Book
16CD: Ella Fitzgerald Sings the Johnny Mercer Song Book