Search - Ella Fitzgerald, Nelson Riddle :: Swings Brightly With Nelson

Ella Swings Brightly with Nelson

George D. Wagner | riverside,california | 10/17/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"i still have the lp my dad bought in 1962. for a $100.12. it still a great cd with bonus tracks. old and new ella fan will like it. smile for a while. george wagner."

This Is Ella In Her Brightest Moments

Rebecca*rhapsodyinblue* | CA USA | 03/28/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"With Nelson Riddle applying his wealth of experience in arranging, conducting and orchestrating to the peerless vocal prowess of the First Lady of Song, there is nothing left to be desired. Everything in this album is totally spic-and-span, flawless, precise and well-executed, simply put, it's utterly sublime!



Known for his most prolific collaboration with the legendary Ol' Blue Eyes, Riddle shows off his consistently superb chart arrangements to its repertoire of fifteen standards. Ella's remarkable interpretations speak of confidence, cheerfulness and vivacity. Here, she is surely in good hands with Riddle who brings out the very best in her. Each song reveals an incredible luster from the first note to the last. Ella and Nelson have created a gem of an album, "Ella Swings Brightly With Nelson," one of the two albums that Ella recorded in Los Angeles in later part of 1961 with Nelson Riddle and His Orchestra under Verve Records originally released in 1962. It was digitally remastered on a CD format and reissued in 1993 with bonus tracks that were not included on the original release.



Ella takes the listeners to her brightest musical moments as she renders some of the most wonderful standards ever written from "I Only Have Eyes For You," "Alone Together" and "I Won't Dance" to a lesser-known "Cheerful Little Earful," a nice song co-written by Ira Gershwin and Billy Rose with the melody composed by Harry Warren.



For fans of Ella, the First Lady of Song, and Nelson Riddle, one of the greatest arrangers/orchestrators America ever produced, this is definitely a welcome addition to your elegantly-decorated vocal jazz collection. Listening to this great CD means taking you back in time when Ella and Nelson were both at the apex of their respective musical careers, so you can't go wrong with this classic recording.



Wholeheartedly recommended for your lovely listening experience.



P.S. A perfect companion to this CD is Ella Swings Gently with Nelson. Please check it out.

"

Ella and Nelson could really make a ballad SWING !!!

Matthew G. Sherwin | last seen screaming at Amazon customer service | 06/26/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Ella Fitzgerald, The First Lady of Song, possessed a rare talent that still clearly sets her apart from her contemporaries both past and present. While other "celebrities" have long been buried and forgotten, Ella remains a national treasure and a formidable force in the entertainment industry. It would do younger artists well to study her craftsmanship; and this CD gives us a great place to start.



The CD track set starts with "When Your Lover Has Gone." Ella's excellent diction, smooth as silk delivery and vocal gymnastics showcase her talents on "When Your Lover Has Gone." Nelson Riddle's arrangement shines with sprightly use of the horns; and the percussion works well, too. If you want to hear elegance in motion, listen to "When Your Lover Has Gone." Wow! "Don't Be That Way" glitters with Ella's voice as rich, warm and vibrant as ever. She even scats a bit! I like the piano featured in the arrangement; and the percussion bolsters the number.



Other special numbers on this CD include the stunning "I Hear Music;" this jubilant number gets the royal treatment from Ella and Nelson Riddle. Ella sings her heart out--and Nelson's arrangement makes great use of the horns to give the music a big band style flavor to it. Ella and Nelson sure are swinging on "I Hear Music!" "I Won't Dance" features a flourish of the horns at the very beginning; by the time Ella comes in there's so much style and sophistication to this number you realize this is one of Ella's better CDs! Ella's beautiful voice never misses a note; and the jazzy music in the middle of this number glitters like pure gold!



"I Only Have Eyes For You" gives us an opportunity to hear Ella's passionate yet swinging interpretation of this classic ballad. Ella plays with the tempo of her vocals to make her performance all the better. I really like the use of the horns and percussion, too. What a jubilant number! "The Gentleman Is A Dope" showcases Ella's voice and the horns once again; Ella sings of how the man she would like to have an affair with isn't exactly sophisticated. Nelson's arrangement swings while using the horns, percussion and strings to embellish this number well.



"Mean To Me" explores the pain and confusion Ella's character experiences as she wonders why her man treats her poorly. "Pick Yourself Up" is a relentlessly optimistic ballad infused with swing and high voltage electricity as Ella sings passionately and Nelson employs an arrangement that again sounds like a big band swinging fast and furious--awesome!



The CD also gives us three bonus tracks: "Call Me Darling;" "Somebody Loves Me" and "Cheerful Little Earful." "Call Me Darling" features Ella singing at a slower tempo with style and sensitivity; you will not want to miss this number. "Somebody Loves Me" sports infectiously happy lyrics and the melody is so upbeat that between Ella's magic and Nelson's art you will want to just jump up and start dancing wherever you are! "Cheerful Little Earful" makes the perfect ending for this album; again we get a remarkably joyous ballad what swings so happily that you won't be able to listen to "Cheerful Little Earful" just once!



The liner notes include an informative essay by James Gavin; and the songs credits and recording dates are provided as well. You also get a miniature replica of the back of the record album cardboard jacket with the original liner notes by Benny Green.



Ella Fitzgerald will always be a superstar; her talent will never be outdated. I recommend this CD for Ella Fitzgerald fans; and people who enjoy classic pop vocals will keep this one forever!

"