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These Are the Blues
Ella Fitzgerald
These Are the Blues
Genres: Jazz, Pop, Broadway & Vocalists
 
  •  Track Listings (10) - Disc #1

Ella Fitzgerald was celebrated for many things throughout her long career, but never for being a blues singer, so this remarkable foray into classic blues, recorded in 1963, may come as something of a surprise. This is an ...  more »

     
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CD Details

All Artists: Ella Fitzgerald
Title: These Are the Blues
Members Wishing: 1
Total Copies: 0
Label: Polygram Records
Release Date: 10/25/1990
Genres: Jazz, Pop, Broadway & Vocalists
Styles: Swing Jazz, Traditional Jazz & Ragtime, Vocal Jazz, Oldies, Vocal Pop, Classic Vocalists, Traditional Vocal Pop
Number of Discs: 1
SwapaCD Credits: 1
UPC: 042282953629

Synopsis

Amazon.com
Ella Fitzgerald was celebrated for many things throughout her long career, but never for being a blues singer, so this remarkable foray into classic blues, recorded in 1963, may come as something of a surprise. This is an arresting examination of some classic blues songs, variously associated with Ma Rainey, Alberta Hunter, Bessie Smith, and Leroy Carr, and ranging further afield for Joe Turner's "Cherry Red." Though Fitzgerald's voice is usually noted for its lightness and flexibility, it often assumes a stateliness here that suits the more somber material. She's accompanied by an excellent band, with frequent collaborators Roy Eldridge, Ray Brown, Herb Ellis, and Gus Johnson. The unusual presence of organist Wild Bill Davis, whose fulsome approach adds to the sheer majesty of the material, emphasizes a kinship with gospel music. --Stuart Broomer

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CD Reviews

Bit of a departure, but great just the same!
08/24/2000
(4 out of 5 stars)

"As many of Ella's fans know, she was known for her flawless and perfect interpretation of great jazz standards and American pop. However, her ability to interepret a blues lyric flawlessly and give it the same meaning as a Billie Holiday, is often overlooked. With this album, Ella sounds as if she has spent her entire career wailin' the blues. What a great album from the First Lady of Song!"
The blues, indeed...
02/17/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)

"This Ella Fitzgerald album from 1964 is one of her most brilliant and overlooked albums. Ella's first full-length dive into the blues is a sublime one. Known for her swinging and impeccable balladry, it is little wonder Ella was just right to sing the blues. Man, how she sings them! This recording is perfect for the Ella fan looking for something a little different. For the beginning Ella fans, please buy one of her flawless "Songbooks" (you take your pick) and come back to this one later on in your collecting. Ella truly was THE singers' singer!"
Ella gives a sexy late night feeling to this music !!
A C SHIELDS | melbourne , australia | 02/05/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)

"Many people will know Ella from her incredible versions of many of the finest American popular songs , but there was another side to Ella and she lets it loose on this album .



She sounds relaxed and confident singing some low down blues , spelling it out for the men she is addressing in these tunes .

She tells it like it is , man !



It is one of the first albums I ever heard by Ella and her albums of popular songs sounded a lot less relaxed somehow to my ears , after hearing this .



I encourage those who are blues fans or who wish to hear Ella singing something where she does more improvising to purchase this disc .

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