Reviews (page 2 of 13)
The first song was pretty good, but it got worse. It is definitely not bad, in fact the singing is very beautiful, but it's just not my cup of tea. Truthfully, it feels outdated.
I don’t understand the purpose of including this kind of thing in the list. It’s not an album and the selection criteria are obscure. If you want jazz or classical, there are thousands of albums worthy of consideration, having just the odd one or two is pointless. By this stage, Ella Fitzgerald songs is music you hear on soundtracks or in the background. I would never put this on and listen to it, despite recognizing its qualities. Its time has passed.
She has a beautiful voice, but I’m not into jazz enough to listen to it for 3 hours.
Not as interesting as its contemporaries and has not aged well
too long...
What a stupid idea to feature an „Album“ that runs three and a half hours. Did not listen to it.
Not my cup of tea, also nearly 4 hours is a little extreme for the sake of an “album”
This could be awesome but I refuse to listen. Too long
Ella does the Gershwin Brothers just got tougher as it progressed. Wasn’t sure what to expect, turned out to be corny show tunes from a by-gone era, more big band than jazz. List originator should have selected one of her concept albums over this lengthy three disk set. She does have a voice, and she sure sang a lot of songbooks. This took three 1hour and 5 minute sessions. New topper for the 1001 Too Long Album List! (0.9*s)
lol
Could have, and should have been an email. I'm convinced that this album only exists as some elaborate sadomasochistic social experiment. Anyone claiming to enjoy it has been commissioned for their opinion, or held hostage. Needless to say, I didn't indulge in its 3 hour running time.
Started this but could not go on. Great singer Great songwriters. But no wonder Rock n Roll came along if this self indulgent treacle was their legacy.
Absolut nicht mein Genre. Als Nächstes kommen dann Bach, Beethoven und Tschaikowski. Oder Hörbücher?
I made it to track four, "Let's Call the Whole Thing Off", and I happily obliged. 👎👎
Ok, so she an undeniably classically beautiful voice. However, I am allergic to this type of Bing Crosby at Christmas songbook. I can’t imagine a single moment when I’ll ever play this again. One star to acknowledge the quality of her voice
Super Dope
I prefer the Gershwin covers Ella did with Ellis Larkins, but here you’ve got George and Ira, Ella Fitzfreakinggerald, AND Nelson Riddle. Tough to beat.
Classic soulful sounds
Love love love jazz and Ella, so cozy and beautiful to listen to, her voice is amazing, loved this album so very although it is very long
Wow. This is something else. For starters I haven’t listened through all of the box set yet (3h 14 mins), but I really enjoy Ellas singing voice, the big band style and the jazz tunes. I will be listening to the rest of the albums, but I need to take it in portions. Still I defintely think that this deserves a top score. It is just that good! Favourites so far: Let’s Call The Whole Thing Off, Someone To Watch Over Me.
Wow
It’s Ella. What more do I need to say?
Rate: 10/10
Beautiful
Because there are so many tracks, I'm rating them in blocks of 5. Tracks 1-5 - 9/10. Classic Jazz standards, and Ms. Fitzgerald has the perfect voice for them. Tracks 6-10 - 10/10. Absolute bangers. Tracks 11-15 - 11/10. Three nearly perfect, and S'Wonderful and Someone to Watch Over Me. This block goes to 11. Tracks 16-20 - 8/10. Excellent. Great backing band, and excellent singing. Tracks 21-25 - 9/10. Excellent and smooth tracks here. Tracks 26-30 - 9/10. Outstanding. Tracks 31-35 - 9/10. Truly amazing music. Tracks 36-40 - 9/10. Amazing. Tracks 41-45 - 10/10. Ms. Fitzgerald is so very easy to listen to. Especially with amazing music. Tracks 46-50 - 9/10. Really excellent. Tracks 51-55 - 8/10. Very good. Last two were instrumentals, but still very good ones. Tracks 56-59 - 8/10. Excellent instrumentals in a Big Band style. Overall Rating - 4.54/5 (9.08/10). So many songs that I didn't know were Gershwin songs.
9/10 Let's Call the Whole Thing Off is absolute peak
This is a rather large album, over 3 hours. Ella Fitzgerald is one of the great jazz singers and this album showcases that with a great, full swing band backing her up and the songs of the Gershwins. She has the ability to evoke emotions here. 5.
Lovely.
Written by George and Ira Gershwin, arranged and conducted by Nelson Riddle, sung by Ella Fitzgerald. That’s some legendary stuff.
Classic! Old Hollywood vibes. Weirdly misogynistic
Yes, it's long, it took me all day to get through it. Yes there are some pretty lousy songs on it (there's 59 tracks, I don't think even the esteemed innovator of albums with only hits, Michael Jackson could even make that many). But the stinkers are definitely the exception. I really thought I'd give up halfway through, but the variety or the tracks and talent these two legendary artists provide easily make this an enjoyable experience from back to front. Ella's performances are top notch, the band arrangements are great, and the quality of the recording is prestine. Will I be relistening to this in full? Probably not. But I'm glad I did. I'm also really surprised about the exclusion of Summertime, especially since she did a version of it. 4.5/5
amazing
How how the moon double time solo is a thing of beauty encapsulating the vocal range, music history knowledge, and having a ball. Incredible catalogue and collaborations. Nothing could be better about this album, perfect signer, and best represents the genre.
Slap that bass. I could listen to this forever.
I adore Ella. My earliest memories of Ella are Ella singing Gershwin. We had the shorter version of this in my house as a kid, and I still have it. Maybe I'm in the minority, but I do not mind listening to Ella for 3 hours. I would routinely listen to this and the Cole Porter songbooks on my drives between home and college. I've actually wanted to own Ella's Complete American Songbook for a long time. Some day I'll get there.
I was thinking of skipping when I saw this is a 3 hr box set but I really enjoyed it from the start and finished the whole thing. Despite the (sometimes) corny rhymes, the songwriting is top class (as would be expected) and the vocal performances effortless and perfect. Beautiful, comforting music.
Classic songs in classic arrangements and what a voice! Fabulous. 5
She’s the best.
Ahh, the notoriously long album on the list. It’s okay though, because I could listen to Miss Ella all day and all night. She was a generational talent with an absolutely recognizable voice. We were taught about her in school (A-Tisket A-Tasket), and she was such a memorable singer that I wish I had started listening to her sooner. Did I listen to the whole album? Does it matter if I take my time enjoying it over several days? 5 stars
*Gordon Ramsay's lips smacking* Finally, some good fucking music.
My IDOL
Banger after banger after banger. A hugely influential album. This whole style of music is at the foundation of rock.
Absolutely amazing collection of some of the greatest performances of any music ever. Be warned - This is NOT a traditional album. It's a huge 6 disc box set, so prepare accordingly 😂
Not sure it’s an album, but it’s a 5⭐️ few hours.
Granted, a questionable choice for the only Ella Fitzgerald representation on this list, and far too long for the purposes of this project but.. it’s still Ella Fitzgerald and big band performing Gershwin songs and is a wonderful listen to me.
There has never been before, and shall never be again such a voice as Ella.
While I argue that it shouldn't be on this list if we're not allowing compilation albums, I can't argue its inclusion based on merit. This is one of the greats, at her best. Yeah, it took me three days to get through, but what a great three days.
Rating: 4.7/5 Short Review: Effortless, precise, and completely timeless. Ella makes complexity feel light, like it was always meant to sound this easy. Polished on the surface, but full of feeling underneath. Favorite Track: “They Can’t Take That Away from Me.” It’s warm, confident, and quietly emotional. She doesn’t push it, which makes it land harder.
lovely
Very smooth
This was a massive one. Ella is one of my favorite voices and paired with this classic song writing team, the combo is incredible. Perfect listening for a cocktail party.
What a freaking wonderful storyteller. Words are so simple, so delicate and tells a lot by attempting less. Her voice is smoky and enchanting. This time I am happy that drums have more dimension than most other pieces in this genre. Aren’t you kind of glad we did? Isn’t it a pity? Slap that bass
Wow. Just incredible. The range and depth of the jazz paired with Ella’s voice takes you on a journey that genuinely transcends time. The orchestration is rich and full, Ella floats over every note like she owns them, and the whole thing somehow sounds timeless sitting here in 2026. A true classic that earns the title without even trying. If you haven’t listened, just put it on and let it take you somewhere.
It is really nice to see this on here. I was originally a bit put off by the fact that this list has no classical music, but I guess it gets weird with where does a "Symphony" become an album. Buuut, there's just something so enjoyable about the full orchestra that is severely lacking in modern music. Also, there are a number of reviews about this being a compilation album, and I wholeheartedly disagree. If anything, I would say it's a cover album, but realistically it's just Ella taking on an absolutely massive project to bring light to music that has inspired her over the years. I think it just looks weird to or modern eyes to see the actual songwriters get credit on the cover, when today they're buried deep in the credits, if the rights aren't bought outright behind the scenes by the labels themselves.
++*: Slap That Bass ++: Promenade (Walking the Dog), March of the Swiss Soldiers, Fidgety Feet, Prelude I, Prelude II, Prelude III, Sam and Delilah, But Not for Me, My One and Only, Let's Call the Thing Off, (I've Got) Beginner's Luck, Oh, Lady Be Good!, Nice Work If You Can Get It, Things Are Looking Up, Just Another Rhumba, How Long Has This Been Going On?, 'S Wonderful, The Man I Love, That Certain Feeling, By Strauss, The Real American Folk Song (is a Rag), Who Cares?, Looking for a Boy, They All Laughed, My Cousin in Milwaukee, Somebody from Somewhere, A Foggy Day, Clap Yo' Hands, Stiff Upper Lip, Boy Wanted, Strike Up the Band, Soon, I've Got a Crush on You, Bidin' My Time, Aren't You Kind of Glad We Did?, Of Thee I Sing (Baby), The Half of It, Dearie' Blues, I Was Doing All Right, He Loves and She Loves, Love Is Sweeping the Country, Treat Me Rough, Our Love Is Here to Stay, Isn't It a Pity?, Shall We Dance?, Love Walked In, You've Got What Gets Me, They Can't Take That Away from Me, Embraceable You, I Can't Be Bothered Now, Boy! What Love Has Done to Me!, Fascinating Rhythm, Funny Face, The Lorelei, Oh, So Nice!, Let's Kiss and Make Up, I Got Rhythm, Somebody Loves Me, Cheerful Little Earful +: Someone to Watch Over Me, For You, for Me, for Evermore 9,9/10
Bliss.
my listening notes will be sporadic, as this is a 3hr album. let's call the whole the thing off--Ella is just incredible. her voice is so clear. it's enlightening how intertwined the gershwins and Ella's iconic sound are. my goodness i just love Ella by strauss--love hearing the gershwins poking fun at themselves. also i don't think i've heard a scatted waltz before. i could listen to Ella all day long. which is good, cause that's what i'm doing. i will have to go find the other "Ella sings the ____ songbook" albums. the half of it dearie blues--love that bass clarinet there this album is lacking in scatting. promenade (walking the dog)--a gershwin classic for a reason. maybe the instrumental pieces could've been included as interludes instead of all lumped at the end (or beginning in some versions?). similarly to double nickels on the dime (the minutemen), i think this would benefit by having a physical copy with zero pressure to listen to the whole thing, just throw on a side or two whenever you want. 5/5. Ella is an icon. incredible. perfect. the pinnacle of music. pack it up, everyone, it's all downhill from her. (after reading other reviews, i will acknowledge that this is not the pinnacle of Ella's discography in the way this list typically operates. i agree that other, shorter albums of hers would probably be more popular around here. doesn't change the fact that i enjoyed listening to three hours of Ella. "bUt It'S sO lOnG" radiohead got 6 fucking albums, so deal with it and listen to some Ella.)
Favorites from the American songbook – what's not to love? Should we talk about the incredible talent of the Gershwin Brothers with the witty lyrics of Ira and the beautiful, fun, energetic music of George, or should we focus on the unparalleled and simply genius vocals of Ms Ella Fitzgerald? Either way, the combination is solid gold. I loved starting my Monday morning off with this album set, and although I only got to listen to three of the records, I saved it to my iTunes library and I'm confident in my five star rating that this is an absolute gem.
Could listen to this album all day long, timeless, gorgeous voice, love it.
Primera vez que escucho un álbum de Jazz, me gustó.
Ella is always a 5. 3 hours of pure bliss. Enough said.
Never really listened to this type of music before. I actually really enjoyed it.
i love her voice so much, its just so beautiful!
So good but goddamn 3 hours is crazy
Gorgeous record, although necessarily extensive.
Learning about Fitzgerald's Song Books is going to be one of my big takeaways from this musical project. What a treasure. Over 900 minutes of one of the great voices of the 20th century singing dozens and dozens of great 20th century composers' songs...the scope of the project boggles the mind. She's singing a musical encyclopedia and sounds amazing the entire time! As far as listening experience, it felt like I was sitting with my grandfather while he talked about this musical or that movie or retold old stories, and the listening stretched on into a golden dream where my loved ones live on as long as the voices keep going. Sure, it's going to have a certain repetitiveness after (checks notes) 55 tracks of the same singer singing the same composers' songs. Wow. Yeah. But it also captures certain musical geniuses as completely as possible, and even brought a loved one to life for a little while. If the album had been longer, I would have happily kept listening.
Has the music industry amassed so many lawyers and drum machines that a massive project like this would never be possible again? Maybe. Or maybe there is a new horizon where big unthinkable multi-disc 90-song windfalls are more achievable? Listening to Ella F's voice through clear headphones in a quiet room is a wonderful musical feeling.
Excellent album, great songs, great singing, great arrangements
7/10
It’s Ella doing the Songbook - what more could you want?? And yet - it’s not my fave Ella album but I’m giving it 5🌟 just in case it doesn’t come up!!
I knew I enjoyed Ella and most of the classic vocal jazz somewhat, but I was naturally worried if I'll have what it takes to sit through this 3 hour behemoth of the album. Surprisingly, there was nothing to worry about - I loved every minute of it, and also tidied up my room and finished knitting a cowl, all while gently smiling. Wow!
You can hear her smile, somehow
amazing voice well worth the listen
The songs can be very silly and there are inevitably some duds in a 3+hour album, but this is one of the great compilations representing Ella’s revitalization of the American songbook. She’s just too good to give any less than 5 stars.
Gershwin? Ella? 5.
Her voice is like a butterfly; it moves effortlessly through the air with purposeful motion and oh-so-much charm. Light, delicate, powerful. It's pure joy.
The QUEEN
I couldn’t get in to it but beautiful voice and instruments
No one has a voice like Ella. It's a rich, beautiful instrument. She could sing anything (the dictionary, the phone book, a menu) and I would happily listen to it. I discovered her when I was a teen and continue to love her music. What a lovely set of songs. The band is impeccable and the songs/stories by the Gershwin Bros. are captivating. Time well spent to me. This is a weird one to rate because it's a box set and not an album. It's kind of breaking the rules being here, but seriously, how could you choose just one Ella album? The people complaining about the length...do they watch movies, listen to audio books, watch a whole TV series, read a novel? All these activities could take 3+ hours (over time) and I'm sure they don't complain as much about doing these things. Of course listening to this box set all at once is a bit much (took me two days) and it wasn't intended for that. And if you don't like jazz that's fine, it's not everyone's cup of tea. But to be like "it's an one because it's too lOoOoOnNg"...I feel kind of bad for those people because they are missing out on truly amazing music. This is the first time 160 or so albums in where I agree that it was definitely worth listening to before I die. I'm going to start listening to the other "Songbook" collections Ella made.
Me genero muchismos sentimientos. Literalmente lloreeee. Solo sueño con estar bailando con mi pareja escuchando begginers luck en el tocadiscos no lo escuché entero todavía, pero ya me generó tanto que son cinco estrellas para mí la voz que tiene esta mujer te dan ganas de escucharla toda la vida
Ethereal tone, talent of a century. Favourite track: S'wonderful
Feel like I'm going to download this before I even listen to the whole thing. I did, this is great cooking music. 5 albums in one, best of Ella <3
I made it thought two and a half of the albums before reaching saturation. That’s a good review.
I took the advice of another review and listened to "The Very Best of the Gershwin Song Book" (2007) instead of the full-fat 3-hour 4-disc original release. Instrumentation and singing are just superb. This is classic American music at its best. Fallout-core, if you will. It floats by as a classic background and would be just as at home in a smoky club as on a sunny road trip. This is a snapshot of American music at a time and place where it was in its heyday and it quite literally cannot ever exist again. I think on cultural merit alone I must give it a 5 - this is the soundtrack for all of my grandparents and great-grandparents and reflects a time never before seen in the history of the world. A time fraught with injustices and its fair share of problems, to be sure. But it also produced this very specific sort of optimistic and soothing music that is quintessentially American. It's comforting nostalgia for the idea of a country and society that never really existed, but pervades every aspect of American culture. And Ella Fitzgerald sounds fantastic!
This album is exquisite and immaculate. Ella Fitzgerald is such a great singer, and the songs are all (or most of them) fantastic. It's a very long album (well, it's a box set, actually, I don't know whether to consider this project an album or a collection of some records), but it flows so quickly and, in the end, it's about three hours of pure joy, excitement and delight. I must admit it's not easy to listen to it in one go, I had to pause it at some point and return to it some hours after. Mainly because it's hard to ensure three hours of just listening to music. But it's a pretty great project and, as a box set, it allows you to make stops and return, enjoy little parts or the whole in a row. But, for sure, it's Ella Fitzgerald, and a great jazz record, so, what can go wrong? This album's like a sweet, you can never get bored, and there are always great things to discover and to be pleased with.
This is stunningly beautiful.
Ella Fitzgerald’s voice is omg it’s so angelic. this is more so a background music type thing but it makes you feel like you’re in an old movie. I was listening to it in the car, on a walk, while doing work, etc. and it just uuugh i can’t put it into words. it’s like surreal in a way i can’t explain. her vocals and the jazz ooooh it’s so good. i’ll admit, i wasn’t planning on listening to the whole thing, but i have not regrets. 10/10
She could sing the phonebook
Pure joy
This album has such a great combination of a legendary voice, impeccable songwring (lyrics too!) and musical arrangement. I've heard lots of Gershwin, but not like this. Liked Songs Added: Let's Call The Whole Thing Off 'S Wonderful Slap That Bass
mi Ella Fitz
Let's start with the basics. Ella Fitzgerald is the greatest American singer of the recorded music era. Her project to record the “great American songbook” covers the greatest American composers of the first half of the 20th Century. In my estimation, any other versions of the songs presented in her songbook series are superfluous. Ella is the standard. For me personally, my favorite is her Cole Porter set, as he is imo the greatest American song writer. But the Gershwins are the popular choice, and the 50 or so songs presented here are well representative of the best of American music for that period. I'd have personally chosen someone other than Nelson Riddle for the arrangements but this isn't among his schmaltziest work to be fair, and to paraphrase a song, you can take anything anyway from Ella, she is impeccable, always capturing the right mood and tone. The truly remarkable thing is that this is Ella in respectable mode, which isn't even her best mode. Check out Ella In Berlin for her in Jazz club mode
Ella's the Greatest!
Jesus Christ
Hieno ja kovin pitkä levytys. En ihan vielä kaikkia ole kuunnellut, mutta on kovaa laatia, kappaleet hienoja, sovitukset erittäin hyviä ja tulkinta aivan erinomaista. Lajissaan aivan huippu.
#285(-290)/1001. Omg this project should now be named 1006 Albums? Come to think of it, if all albums here were 6LP sets, we only would have 167 or so to go through. I don’t know how many other of her songbooks make it here, perhaps the Cole Porter or the Rodgers & Hart or the Duke Ellington (there are more)… but ok, what do I think about this? Of course it is fucking brilliant. Perhaps the weirdest fact I can lay here is that I have seen her live, somewhere between '90 and '91 (I heard she quit in '91, so it must have been some of her last shows) at the Hollywood Bowl. As a young punk / hippie I was totally not into this kind of easy listening / jazz thing, but as a 17-year old exchange student it was an opportunity for me to find out about my musical boundaries. And I do remember that on the second part of the show she scatted the hell out of the whole audience. I remember she had to be escorted to the stage and that she sat down the whole gig. But hey, if you are about 75, and have a career of about 60 years behind you, wouldn't you as well? As for this album goes, of course there are well known classics and not so well known songs and some of them are even bangers. But also a lot of them just come and go, no matter how good the production and the interpretation is, at least if you try to swallow everything down in one or two zips. But would it be as good with perhaps a selection of 10-12 songs? Not even a fair question. But reviewing this is reviewing musical history, not music. Funny that I just trashed Ray Charles' take on country and western songs as too cheesy and sugary versions of the american dream, but I don't get it here at all. i guess it is because she doesn't need a harmony-singing backup choir consisting of fake cowgirls and -boys.
3 hours would normally be way too long, but man… what a voice. What I wouldn’t give to be sitting in a smoky jazz club watching this live.
Yes, this is a collection of the Gershwin song book. No, this is not a time spanning compilation of Ella. This was a work of love over an eight month period. This album came out in the vinyl era and was not intended to be heard in it's entirety in one listen. This aspect does not fare well for this endeavor of an album a day. Gorgeous singing, beautiful arrangements, classic album.
Perfect album for weekend in with the girls, cleaning and cooking together
Kaufen
Repeat
I don't know why the critics decided this behemoth of an album was The One for this list, and I can get why people wouldn't enjoy getting assigned a 3 hour long album. That being said, I loved it. Everysing is so romanticized sounding and Ella Fitzgerald is SUCH a phenomenal singer. No complaints from me!
For some reason I dig it. The art work on the album cover is great too.
Impossible to rate, and borderline unethical to reduce to such a thing as a "star rating". As a historical record and document of music history, the "American Songbook" records by Ella are indelible, iconic, monumental. Listening to this all at once though is overwhelming and near impossible to digest. Some of the songs, obviously, are better than others, but I wouldn't lose a thing. As for Ella herself, I love her, of course, but I do prefer my jazz singers to have a bit more grit in their voices. She's almost TOO perfect. This (and the rest of her American Songbook records) are all but required listening for anyone interested in the history of American song. Fuck it, five stars, not because it's a perfect "album" per se but because is, without reservation, an album you need to listen to before you die.
Ella Fitzgerald is perhaps the best singer of the recorded music era. this album comes once recording technology itself had reached more or less its full capacity, and puts her - and the band - on excellent display. the Gershwins are hit or miss for me, but it doesn't *matter* when you deliver them like this.
dreamy is the first word that comes to mind. The lyrics are absolutely beautiful and her voice brings the songs to life in a way thats unbelievably perfect.
Fantastic album great instruments and obv ella fitzgerald sounds good
Classy classic
Lovely, light-hearted lyrics and Lady Ella’s divine voice, can’t go wrong.
Fantastic- a great performer singing great songs by great composers. A treat!
Actual masterpiece
Love this. She's incredible & these songs are classic
9 Fun jazz album with cool timing and great vocals
My favorite till now
Feels like silk in your ears. Listening to Ella makes me want to go back and lower every other rating at least 1 star. Simply sublime.
Very nice
Admittedly I did not listen to every disc (I did not have 3-4 hours to spare to truly digest the album, I work a 9-5). However, every song I had listened to was excellent and I love Ella
Lovely.
Achei superinteressante. Entrou na lista perpétua
Classic and lovely
Better than coldplay
I gave this a 5 because I listened to it over the course of 5 days. Trying to listen to this in one sitting would have dropped the score to a 3.The album is way too long for that.
I saw a future life with a wife I don’t have. 10/10
Look jazzy ashell omg its a VIBEEEEE
I just don’t think there’s a better pairing than Fitz and Gershwin.
i find it so beautiful when a musician will dedicate so much tome into studying and performing a "mentor's" work. my college violin teacher did this with bach and it was one of the best recitals i've attended in my undergrad. with projects like this, it's easy to get lost, but ella's individuality shines through. favorites: let's call the whole thing off; things are looking up
Very long but very comfy album.
Colossal!
Classic and romantic. Incredible voice.
Part of me thinks “girl don’t give this five stars. This is cheating. You can’t call this an album, it’s basically a box set anthology”. The other part thinks “ this music is gorgeous. Over three hours and you never hated listening to it. In fact most of the time you were tapping your toes or swaying your head. Gorgeous voice, lush arrangements, snappy lyrics. Don’t be a hater. This is top level.” So, even though I feel a tiny bit manipulated, it’s in the best possible way. Cheers!
5/5 mostly because her music is a def. change of pace. I felt like I was in a disney movie in a good way.
I see people protesting and complaining in reviews that this does not belong in a book like 1001 albums. Get. Over. Yourself! Yes, it's huge and long but hell, it's a single album recorded coherently and originally released as a single album (although what the Nelson Riddle band tracks are doing at the start is a small question). It's also brilliant.
Great music for doing crossword puzzles! (ugh i sound like my father). Good ole jazz. Wouldn't listen front to back like this ever again. Top: 'S Wonderful Not Top: Lorelei
Truly marvelous
beautiful
greatttt!
Una delicia, escuchar su voz, y el cancionero de Gershwing. Una de las joyas de la corona: Ella Fitzgerald Sings The Complete American Songbook. «Nunca supe lo buenas que eran nuestras canciones hasta que las escuché cantar a Ella Fitzgerald» George Gershwin. Precisamente su debut fue Ella sings Gershwing que incluye temas como My one and only o Someone To Watch Over Me aunque con diferente instrumentación y arreglos a los de este album. Imprescindible
Liked it
Holy fuck three hours?? Ella Fitzgerald what do we have in store here?? I like this, it's very dancing in the kitchen vibes, a lot of these albums for. Her voice is stunning. I want to close my eyes and sway to this. Listen idk who George and Ira are but they cooked. Holy shit that took so long but it was very good. Favourite: But Not For Me Least favourite: Clap Yo' Hands
This album is easily a perfect 5/5. The vast majority of these reviews here complain about the length, which while fair (3 hours is a long time), it is easily fixable. Just listen to the album over a period of days. I listened to one disc a day and on day 5 listened to discs 5 and 6. It was an enjoyable experience. This list isnt a race. There was not a single bad song on this recording.
I mean… it’s Gershwin and Fitzgerald
Absolutely adore Ella Fitzgerald
Amazing melodies and a voice that is one of a kind.
10/10. The voice is perfect. The composition is perfect. The arrangements are perfect. It's over 3 hours long and I will regret not a second of it.
9/10 Favorites: Let’s Call The Whole Thing Off Strike Up The Band Treat Me Rough Lorelei
De verdad es tan largo? 6/5
It's a bit ridiculous to put such a long box set on this list, but it is fantastic. Her vocal performances are just phenomenal and the big band backing music is smooth and easy to listen to. It's a bit samey but I could put this on as background music and enjoy it for hours.
my queen. my goddess. I could listen to her sweet voice forever.
The best
Four hours of perfection.
J'aime beaucoup Ella Fitzgerald, en plus là petite ambiance de Noël c'était parfait pour une matinée de télétravail 5/5
Vibes: 5/5 Instruments: 5/5 Production: 3/5 Emotional Value: 5/5 Storytelling: 4/5 Album Cover: 1 Stand Outs: Let's Call the Whole Thing Off, He Loves And She Loves Overall Rating: 4.6
Absolute behemoth of an album. This feels like an eternal building block on the musical timeline. Very fun revisiting so many songs from singing classes of yor
One of my favorite albums of all time. This is young love with Jessika. This is my heart as green as it ever was. Beautiful.
Perfect to go along with first snow of the year
What a beautiful voice and amazing song interpretations.
Perfect for dinner or holiday parties. Such a unique and nostalgic talent.
Terrible noise
Yearner’s delight
This is a perfect album by the First Lady of Song. If you're new to this, keep listening. More Ella!
Oh man Ella. What a voice.
I listened to the entire thing and loved it. I had a super relaxing and pleasant day of work. The music is so good and the love songs are so sweet. Not sure why there is a disc of only instrumental tracks but I'll always gladly devote a few minutes to listening to the Gershwin Preludes.
She’s so talented. Loved it.
Endlessly lovely. Stunning vocals, phenomenal backing, wide breadth of subject matter but consistent quality, emotional range without losing sight of the one that matters most.
An amazing collection of standards from a true giant.
This album is what you get when one of the greatest American Jazz vocalist of all time sings songs from two of the greatest American composers. During my normal research phase I could not find a single album that matched what I found on pandora. I had to stop listening after 40 songs because I pretty much understood what the album was like and did not need to listen to the remaining 30+ songs. It's not that I don't like Ella Fitzgerald or either George and Ira Gershwin. I just feel that 70+ songs in one sitting it asking a lot.
What a great singer, Amazing
Gorgeous!
Even if you don't like jazz, giving an album that is just a collection of jazz standards anything less than 5 stars is a certified CoD gamer move
PERFECT ALBUM and perfect for fall
Eso era música de la mejor, la voz de Ella es un placer que no cansa. Perfecto
This is seriously incredible.
Classic.
The highlights here are many and spectacular. One of the great voices.
Essential, Ella and Gershwin, this is thé essence of music and life
As a former ballroom dancer, I could listen to jazz standards for days on end without tiring, which I realize is quite biased. The music is rich, complex, and all-encompassing. It permeates all the right parts of my brain to melt it into complete euphoria, while also making me want to break out the old dancing shoes again. It calls forth a yearning nostalgia for a time period for which I wasn’t even present. How amazing it is that music can do that! This project truly wowed me. The content is as much about Ella Fitzgerald as it is about George and Ira Gershwin. The lyrical composition, musicianship, and vocals are a trifecta made in heaven. My favorite thing about Ella is how crisp her voice is and how she so masterfully bends her notes to create the perfect crescendo of emotion. Her hums, scats, and yodels are eclectic and endearing. As far as the songwriting, I don’t even feel like I can adequately speak on it. I mean, there’s a reason these songs have lasted nearly a century and will continue to last far into the future. Additionally, the composition is lush, vibrant, and transcendent. I was thrown for a loop a bit by disc 6, but after reading up on why it was added, who am I to say anything? Let the Gershwins play on!
Very long but easy listening
9/10 for me. The entire album is fitted through Whitty lines that of course come from the songbook that doesn’t change anything about Ella Fitzgerald’s amazing singing throughout bringing the songs to life.
Awesome
Awesome
3 hours, 14 minutes and 48 secs... It worthed every second! That's what I call Prime Music.
Perfection
Love love love
HOLY FIRE I LOVE THIS ENTIRE ALBUM
236/1089 - This kinda came at the perfect time for me. A nice refreshing break of 3 hours of semi-Classical music I'm familiar with (not all in one session, I'm not that much of a degen!). The arrangements can get a bit similar but there's always enough variation per disc and Ella Fitzgerald has one of the clearest voices in jazz.
I actually LOVED this and will be looking into more ella fitzgerald.
Some of the most substantial songwriting, performaning and arranging of all time.
A delightful album, with mesmerising vocals and witty lyrics
Joy
mast classic
Highly enjoyable. Ella is one of the greatest
Everyone should have this in their collection. The greatest female voice of all-time singing some of the greatest music ever written.
Wow. If "Voice of an angel" was in the dictionary, it would have a photo of Ella next to it. Incredible. This was over 3 hours long and I loved every mintute
This is an incredibly difficult "album" to review, because a 5 disc (6 if you count the non-vocal tracks) really stretches the definition of album. I personally had a great time listening to this. I like the music of the Gershwins, and Ella Fitzgerald's voice is positively enchanting. All of these songs just sound so effortless when she sings them. Even when I started to drift while listening to the whole collection, I continued to be drawn back in by the quality and soul of her voice. I also think it was nice to get some Broadway and stage music as part of the 1001. That type of music is extremely influential, but it feels suspiciously absent from this list. All in all, I think disc 5 is the best of the collection, but any of them will give a consistent good feeling that music recorded after fails to capture.
At three goddamn hours this little chestnut took me a fair share of days to chunk through. But every single time I got to go back to it...bliss. I'm biased here. I love jazz. I love Ella. I love musical theatre. I love the Gershwins. So, obviously I'm going to fucking love this thing. Fantastic arrangements, unbelievably varied and consistently effortless singing by Ms. Fitzgerald, and source song material that's thoughtful and - in my view - never, ever gets old. It's a dream come true, and love is in the air. Fave songs: Nope. It's the whole damn book. A couple fell flat, but who gives a fuck.
One of the best voices we’ll *ever* hear! And smart, gorgeous songs. Beautiful arrangements. Sure, the album is three-plus hours long. But can there be TOO MUCH perfection? Nope. No, sir.
Incredible. No notes
5 étoiles pour l'envie de chanter et danser dans la rue.
I'll confess, I only got to the halfway mark on this tome. I fully intend to go back and complete. This is a project! But I think a lot of the low star reviews are missing the forest for the trees here. Yeah, it's Fitzgerald and her silky beautiful voice is the star. But let's not dismiss the great American songbook of the Gershwins. Playful, soulful, undeniable songwriting here. And the orchestrations are top-notch. All 3 of these players bring this great project to life. It's a LOT to listen to all at once, but my journey through these 60 tracks has been lovely.
I don’t know if you’re like me, but there are times when I hear a piece of music & it will almost, or actually, bring me to tears. Not sure why, but it's happened to me quite often while listening to the album. This album has 59 of the greatest songs ever written. You could talk me into saying this is the greatest album ever. I loved it and had so much fun listening to it. It made me happy all day...until my day kind of fell apart. The music is played by a jazz orchestra, with some of the songs being updated from the 1920s-1930s when they were written to better fit the 1960s. My fave tracks are all of them, but I love But Not for Me, Just Another Rhumba, ‘S Wonderful, & Someone To Watch Over Me. That song always gets me. Give this a try and see if it doesn’t tickle you right where you need it.
At this run time, it's not the best for a straight playthrough, but when one of the best vocalists of all time is singing the best showtunes of all time the result s'wonderful.
have different copy
Wonderful. A bit too long for the Spotify version (3hrs15min), but Ella's voice is magnificent and the accompanying band is fantastic! 'Let's Call The Whole Thing Off' was my fave!
Perfect. No notes. One of the most beautiful albums I have had the privilege of hearing.
Voice of velvet; lyrical songs.
I was going to go on a rant about how since I was a child I've viscerally hated the name Gershwin (or Girshwan) but this is the most 5/5 album so far so I can't do that. Every song on this album was pleasant. The lyrics were fun and whimsical, and Ella Fitzgerald's voice was amazing. 10/10 album
Fantastic Latin grooves and some funky slap bass lines. Didn’t understand a word but sure makes you want ti dance.
Hard not to love - epic combo of songs and voice. A little over long is the only negative.
All time classic. Her voice is incredible. Easy to take it for granted now. And you know, I'm not always in the mood for Gershwin, but this is a pairing of two master craftspeople. She makes the songs her own.
Oh generator, I don’t have time to listen to 6 discs, amounting to more than 3 hours of music. However, I wish I had that much time because the songbook is spectacular. Fitzgerald’s voice is smooth and silky but also so powerful, the lyrics are often genius, and the melodies are gorgeous. Plus the arrangements and instrumentation. This is definitely going into my permanent rotation.
five stars... 59 songs... all gems... amazing.
Wonderful!
How do you rate an album like this that's never meant to be listened to like a "normal" album? I really enjoyed it though, the songwriting was great and Fitzgerald's voice is outstanding. Wouldn't listen all the way through again but would definitely dip into there from time to time.
One of America's greatest voices, singing some of America's greatest songs. If this isn't a 5, I don't know what is.
Absolutely stellar album. Yes, it is really long, but it works more like an anthology than an art piece. Here we can hear Ella at the peak of her vocal powers performing some of the Gershwin brothers' greatest songs. George Gershwin's melodic and harmonic richness pair perfectly with Ira's witty lyrics and I can't think of another singer capable of pulling this off with such finesse and sophistication as Fitzgerald. And as if a three-hour album wasn't enough, around the same time, Ella recorded anthology albums of song from other great American composers. I'm strongly recommend her renditions of the Cole Porter and Irving Berlin songbooks. The Duke Ellington one it great too and was recorded with the man himself. Don't get intimidated by this album's runtime and just let it wash over you. Key tracks: Samson and Delilah But Not for Me Let's Call the Whole Thing Off Nice Work If You Can Get It The Man I Love Someone to Watch Over Me They All Laughed A Foggy Day They Can't Take That Away from Me Fascinatin' Rhythm
whaaaaaaaa??? Otis followed by Ella? Hell yeah, let's go! 3hr album!?? 6 disks 59 songs. I didn't get through all of this but I loved every song I heard. I love this old innocent sound, makes you think the world was just perfect during these times. 5 stars.
This album is a master piece
Great! Unfortunately I did not have time for the whole thing
yesterday i'd given a shoutout to the great, benevolent, and Balmy 1001albumsgenerator dot com gods for starting this ill-advised journey off in a genre i'm pretty well acquainted with. in return, it dropped a fucking interminable box set release by a singer whom i hitherto "hadn't heard but heard of." funny stuff. i pogged. i pogchamped. yea, pretty intimidating, but thankfully i'm not 100% out of my comfort zone or anything. i like showtunes (or at least things that Sound like showtunes), i like vocal jazz (or at least etc.), i've heard one (1) frank sinatra album. "i can do this," i said. "i can making this hapen." this actually wasn't a difficult listen at all. very breezy. i am eternally fanatic for music built around and led by a strong vocal melody. i've really just gotta bite the bullet and fully explore the vocal jazz of this era because it's clearly my thing. i love the instrumentation, straight up. i'm just a complete sucker for a big, fat brass section. and man, when we cash in those sappy violin glissandos, i literally get chills every single time without fail. it's like a cheat code for music—it's Almost not fair. i wasn't familiar with any of these songs; they seem to have been primarily written for musicals, mostly stage but some film, that i've never heard of in my entire life because i'm ignorant and Also living nearly 100 years after the fact. but they're super strong both in composition and arrangement! i really like the lyrics, too. often very puerile and playful, having a lot of fun with like… with Words. i guess. "when you said you care / imagine my emosh / i swore then and there / permanent devosh." awesome. maybe i'm just Simple, y'know? in the head? you hit me with fifty-odd silly love songs with gorgeous arrangements, i'll eat that shit up with a spoon. all there is to it. truth squirts, don't it? let's not beat around the bush here, though: we're listening to this for Fitzgerald's vocal performance. and what can i say? she's incredible. i was completely blown away. i don't think i've ever heard a voice sound like that, just so immediately enrapturing and captivating, at once commanding your attention but also bending to the whim of the music. that's all jazz, is what that is. i've desperately got to hear her works with Louis Armstrong; i can only imagine how well they play off each other. as it stands, though, an all-time performer for sure. her laughs on they all laughed, the clear fun she's having with let's call the whole thing off and my cousin in milwaukee, her inflection on love walked right in (for sure a standout for me—i've been humming the melody as i write), the way she hits those lower notes on that track, ugh. beautiful. i was honestly full-on smiling through a lot of this thing. it's happy-making, oh yes it is! really it feels impressive to me that i'm coming off of three hours of music that does, more or less, all sound quite similar (just by virtue of using the same palette), and i'm already kind of itching to go back and play a fair bit of it again. just speaks to both to the immaculate construction of these songs and to Ella's immense talent as a performer. though it also just speaks to my aesthetic proclivities. it mainly speaks to that.
An absolute ten out of ten. She’s wonderful. She’s fabulous. Everything is well composed and perfect. Her voice is amazing. I have nothing negative to say in the slightest about this album.
Det kan vel knapt bli bedre, så æ e fornøyd.
Ella forever
Au top du top
It's Ella Fitzgerald
Wow! I have a bunch of Ella albums in my library but not this one. Great find!
Couldn't find it but listened to other Ella Fitzgerald tracks. Old school awesome.
Ella Fitzgerald has an amazing voice and anything she sings sounds awesome. Loved this album listened all 3 hours plus
I'll be frank, I only listened to the first disc (out of 4) but this is no brainer. Ella is one of the greatest singers of all time. The instrumentation itself is gorgeous, warm and inviting, perfect for a pleasant (dare I say romantic) evening.
Beautiful. She knows what it feels like to be in love, and to be out of it. What a treat, even though it was long.
What a voice! She really gives a lot in each reading of a Gershwin tune here, often breathing life into old source material.
Like listening to a soundtrack for a 60's TV show...
No one scats like Ella. :-)
I mean, that voice.
Ella is amazing what can I say. This is one of the songbook she did for several songwriters. Picking up all 3 versions of this record releases. I want to see if the quality stays the same, worse or better. If you love Ella you will this.
I listened to all 3 hours of this, it was very nice
Luckily, i realized i could listen to Ella Fitzgerald sing the phooey book for three + hours
6 DISCS???? THE FUCK?!?!? Also I mean, its Ella Fitzgerald. She's fucking amazing. There is really nothing much to say that hasn't been said before. She's one of the queens of jazz, her voice is beyond iconic and as a jazz fan, I just adore her. FR tho, I kind of hate the album art. It's so fucking ugly
Отличный альбом, Элла в любой момент создаст атмосферу своим голосом и музыкой.
Perfect renditions of classic songs. A record for your entire life
I wasn’t excited to get a 3+ hour album, especially since I’ve been behind on my albums. The day I went to start this was the day after my cat died. The apathy allowed me to think I could do three hours, what does it matter? And I am SO glad I did. This is a beautiful album, and Ella’s voice was like a warm hug while I was struggling through the worst of my grief. I am grateful I heard this when I did. Another gift given by the generator. I was irritated at the top review calling people who enjoy this album “spineless”, but I see they’re a Bob Dylan fan and I’ll agree it takes more bravery to listen to that man sing.
just the most classic beautiful shit in the world. one of the most amazing voices to ever walk the earth, putting her indelible mark on some of the most timeless songs ever composed. perfect work.
This was pretty long! High quality musicianship and top level songwriting.
This is a beautiful record, and even though it's not the sort of thing I'd listen to with any frequency, I can totally appreciate the quality and elegance.
Gee I've been in the yard listening to Ella for a long time today. Is it repeating? No? Oh I'm only on disc 4 of 6!? Might as well hear the whole thing, we've come this far. .
A perfect Sunday afternoon listen
As many of you have noted, this is a difficult assignment not least because of its length, spread out across the equivalent of four discs worth of music. It's also a weird fit stylistically with the typical fare of this project. Nearly 3/4 of the way through it, I can confidently say that this is no better or worse than any of Ella Fitzgerald's recordings tackling the Great American Songbook composers. I own copies of Ella singing the Cole Porter songbook and the Rodgers and Hart LP, and honestly, pick any of 'em, they're all great (and yet, this is the only album cover of the three that eschews an image of the singer for one of a white woman's face, WTF). Ella Fitzgerald has a voice like a bell on a clear, cold winter night. What a treasure.
Awesome sound quality and clarity. Surprised to hear this quality from a record from 1959. Her voice is perfect, it blends with the orchestra in a natural way, her timing is tranquil and gets perfectly with the instrumentation. The tone is soft and pleasant. She sounds like the ideal of what a singer should be. The songs flow with so much cool rhythm. 5 stars.
The girders of the 20th century.
Fascinating Rhythm is a great song I'd never heard before. But a lot of these are wonderful. They have that hypnotic quality of voice. Great album, if long, but you feel like you emerged from a flashback trance from decades ago.
Tres horas y media de éxtasis musical. Si tener a Fitzgerald, a Ira y a George Gershwin juntos no le mejora la vida a quien sea que lo escuche, no se para qué estamos en este mundo.
You definitely shouldn't try and listen to this all in one go, but if you were to pick out 10 or 20 songs at a time you would be in for a real treat. Ella's voice is spectacular, and the arrangements are glorious. Happy to give this a 5, despite the length. It should really be considered a compilation over a an album though.
Not to say I love this act, but I cannot imagine it being better in any way. A bit (very) long, but great delivery.
Ella Fitzgerald's *The George and Ira Gershwin Songbook* is a monumental work in the history of jazz and popular music. Released in 1959 and spanning over three hours, this album features 59 tracks that showcase Fitzgerald's unmatched vocal ability, Nelson Riddle's lush orchestral arrangements, and the timeless compositions of George and Ira Gershwin. Below is an in-depth review focusing on the album's lyrics, music, production, themes, and influence, as well as its strengths and weaknesses. --- ## Lyrics The lyrics, penned by Ira Gershwin, are a masterclass in wit, sophistication, and emotional depth. Tracks like *'S Wonderful* highlight Ira's playful wordplay, with clipped syllables and clever rhymes that perfectly capture the euphoria of love[1]. On the other hand, ballads such as *The Man I Love* delve into themes of longing and vulnerability. Ira's lyrics often balance humor with poignancy, offering a nuanced exploration of human emotions. Ella Fitzgerald's delivery elevates these lyrics to new heights. Her crystal-clear diction ensures that every word is heard and felt. For instance, her rendition of *Someone to Watch Over Me* captures the yearning embedded in Ira's words with a tenderness that feels deeply personal[1][3]. --- ## Music George Gershwin's compositions are the backbone of this album. His melodies blend classical influences with jazz and Broadway sensibilities, creating a rich musical tapestry. Songs like *I Got Rhythm* are rhythmically dynamic and brimming with energy, while others like *But Not for Me* feature lush harmonies that evoke melancholy[3][4]. Nelson Riddle's arrangements are equally noteworthy. His orchestral textures provide a grand yet intimate backdrop for Ella's vocals. The big band swing arrangements on tracks like *Slap That Bass* are lively and infectious, while his more subdued orchestrations on ballads like *He Loves and She Loves* allow Ella's voice to take center stage[1][6]. The instrumental preludes, such as the "Ambulatory Suite," showcase Riddle's ability to interpret Gershwin's compositions with both reverence and creativity[4]. --- ## Production The album was produced by Norman Granz under Verve Records, a label he founded specifically to showcase Ella Fitzgerald's talent. The recording quality is exceptional for its time, with a balanced soundstage that highlights both Ella's voice and the orchestra. However, some critics have noted occasional "darker" tonal qualities in Ella's voice on certain tracks[2]. Additionally, while most songs are impeccably recorded, a few exhibit minor background noise—a limitation of the analogue recording process of the era[2]. The accompanying booklet is another highlight. It provides detailed information about the Gershwin brothers' lives and their compositions, enriching the listener's experience. However, some have criticized it for not offering a more traditional narrative about Gershwin's career[2]. --- ## Themes The album explores a wide range of themes central to the human experience: - **Love and Romance**: Tracks like *'S Wonderful* and *The Man I Love* celebrate love in all its forms—joyful, hopeful, and unrequited. - **Optimism vs. Cynicism**: Songs such as *They All Laughed* juxtapose lighthearted humor with deeper reflections on societal norms. - **Dreams and Aspirations**: Tracks like *Who Cares?* embody the resilience required to pursue one's dreams despite life's challenges. Ella Fitzgerald brings these themes to life through her emotive interpretations. Her ability to shift seamlessly between playful exuberance and heartfelt melancholy adds depth to each track[1][3]. --- ## Influence This album is often considered one of the definitive collections of the Great American Songbook. It solidified Ella Fitzgerald's reputation as one of the greatest interpreters of popular song in history. The project also elevated George and Ira Gershwin’s work to iconic status within American music. Ella’s renditions became benchmarks for future artists tackling these songs. For example, her version of *But Not for Me* won a Grammy Award for Best Vocal Performance (Female) in 1960[3]. Moreover, Nelson Riddle’s arrangements influenced subsequent orchestral jazz recordings. The album’s influence extends beyond music; it serves as a cultural artifact that captures mid-20th-century American artistry at its peak. --- ## Pros 1. **Ella Fitzgerald’s Vocal Performance**: Her voice is versatile, expressive, and technically flawless throughout all 59 tracks. 2. **Timeless Compositions**: The Gershwins’ songs remain some of the most beloved in American music. 3. **Nelson Riddle’s Arrangements**: His orchestrations are lush yet never overpower Ella’s vocals. 4. **Cohesive Production**: Norman Granz’s vision results in an album that feels both ambitious and cohesive. 5. **Cultural Significance**: The album serves as an enduring testament to the brilliance of both Ella Fitzgerald and the Gershwins. --- ## Cons 1. **Length**: At over three hours long, the album can feel overwhelming for casual listeners[4][5]. 2. **Occasional Overproduction**: Some critics have argued that Riddle’s arrangements occasionally compete with Ella’s vocals rather than complementing them[5]. 3. **Uneven Recording Quality**: While generally excellent, a few tracks suffer from minor background noise or tonal inconsistencies[2]. 4. **Accessibility**: The sheer volume of material might deter listeners unfamiliar with jazz or the Great American Songbook. --- ## Conclusion Ella Fitzgerald’s *The George and Ira Gershwin Songbook* is an unparalleled achievement in vocal jazz and popular music. It showcases Ella at her artistic peak while celebrating the genius of George and Ira Gershwin through Nelson Riddle’s masterful arrangements. While its length may be daunting for some listeners, those who invest their time will be rewarded with a treasure trove of musical brilliance. This album is not just a collection of songs—it is a cultural milestone that continues to inspire musicians and listeners alike decades after its release. For anyone interested in jazz or American popular music history, this album is essential listening—truly 'S Wonderful!
Pre-listening thoughts: now why did yall give me the 3 hr album as soon as I'm done being sick and have to go back to work 🤨??? Post/during listening thoughts: I originally wrote a complaint about how long this was. When I started it, I wanted to hate how long it was. I was so prepared to be sick of it by the end. But my god. Ella Fitzgerald you are a virtuoso. There is magic in her voice. I could listen to this woman sing for 8 hours. This gets a 5 star rating not because I would turn this on all the time and listen to all 3 hours every time, but because i could hit shuffle on this and be just pleasantly satisfied listening to any array of these tracks for as long or short as I want. And you can listen to the Best Of version but you are missing out on some gems!!! Brb gonna go listen to the Rodgers and Hart songbook cause this was a 9.5/10 DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: yes. Fav tracks: let’s call the whole thing off, oh lady be good, by Strauss, they all laughed, my cousin in Milwaukee, stiff upper lip, strike up the band, I’ve got a crush on you, Bidin my time, treat me rough Least fav tracks: did not dislike any of this. Too many mentions of Christopher Columbus tho. And take or leave the instrumentals.
Wow, what an enjoyable listen! I'm not sure I've listened to much if anything from Ella Fitzgerald, but what a great voice, one that fits perfectly with the equally fantastic material on this album–a vintage time capsule but timeless all the same. I listened to the first half of this on headphones while leisurely shopping in Target, an experience I highly recommend! It made me feel like I was in a musical, and I couldn't help but have a little zing in my step as I moved down the aisles. These show tunes were cute, full of clever wordplay and slant rhymes, giving them a light-hearted air. I was thoroughly charmed, by Ella’s classy, expressive jazz delivery, and by the delightful arrangements that supported her throughout. Some of my favorites were: “Just Another Rhumba,” “The Real American Folk Song,” and “My Cousin In Milwaukee.” —-- I know that this is a really long album, over three hours’ worth. The crazier thing is that this album is just one of many like it she did as part of an even more ambitious project with other composers to sing the complete “American Songbook.” To buy this album at the time it came out would have been at considerable expense; how lucky we can access it so easily today. I did have to break the listening up into several sessions over three days, but I honestly don't think this collection should have been made any shorter. I like that there is so much material here, even though the treatment of each track is pretty much the same as the next. I could totally see myself listening to these songs again and again. They feel easy to incorporate into my daily life for an instant dose of whimsy.
Love this - so easy to listen to and Ella's amazing voice just brightens up everything
"When people see some things as beautiful, other things become ugly. When people see some things as good, other things become bad. Being and non-being create each other. Difficult and easy support each other. Long and short define each other. High and low depend on each other. Before and after follow each other." Her voice sets a high bar. She created some bad singers when she set that bar. This is the audio equivalent of a curated art exhibition. The production is outstanding.
Приятное
Incredible survey of the genre
Sheer class. Opted for the best of version but would definitely dip into the full version at leisure. Amazing how many songs you just know.
I only listened to the highlights
Lovely music
The best.
The Greatest Singer singing the Greatest Songbook.
Wow a three hour album. Before starting that felt intimidating but I found this album was a great escape for me during a rough day. I can't say I'd ever go out of my way to listen to this in its entirety again but I will still give it 5 stars.
A few things for this album: 1. Its an outstanding album. Vocals are pristine, composition is flawless. 2. It goes on for DAYS. 3. Does it deserve to be on this list? Well, it definitely deserves it more than a bunch of the other brit-pop bullshit that I've had to wade through to make it to here. 5/5
Fantastic
Great voice for this songwriter
lovely voice, paired with Gershwin is a treat
A whole lotta Ella. The music was great, but for me to properly appreciate 62 cuts in two days was a bit much. Fantastic musicianship all around though.
I balked a bit when I saw it was a 6 CD box set, but the time flew by. This was great
Three hours of music is a lot for one day, but I do love Ella. I can say I listened through the entirety of this songbook - how active I was listening is another story. It was a great collection to be on in the background while I worked.
A classic.
The musical accompaniment is just a bonus behind a star like this.
10/10
Einfach schön.
Album art: 2
Gorgeous, timeless classics. I enjoyed listening through during my work day and could see myself spinning this during a dinner party but not something I would listen to except on such occasions
Straight banger, the queen
Adored!
Beautiful. Just beautiful. If you really need to rock it out, fine, skip it. But just luxuriate in Ella's voice. In times like these, take the joy and the sex and the longing. You'll be glad you did.
Excellent. Going to buy this.
Absolutely lovely. It does seem a bit out of sync with the rest of the project to include a 6 disk, 3 hour compilation, but I won't hold that against Ella. Took me a few days to get through, but those days were filled with beautiful songs from an all-time great. No complaints. 5/5 Highlights: Let's Call the Whole Thing Off Nice Work If You Can Get It The Half Of It Dearie Blues
I often ask myself what the intention of this list is. It is certainly not to be a list of 1001 albums you should hear before you die. There are simply too many mediocre pop and rock albums on the list. And too many other albums out there which you really should listen to. But then suddenly you have this album on the list. And ok, this is really one of the albums one should have listened to "before you die". And because of the albums like this one, I will be carrying on going through this list.
love it
Just beautiful
Classic Jazz. Amazing vocal control. Big recommendation. Fantastic.
20/12/24 This was an absolute slog fest. I listen to an album a day and fortunately I had the time to do it here otherwise I would have been annoyed if this ruined my streak. It's a good, well made album.
Woohoo! This is a masterpiece, within a collection of masterpieces. Ella was the greatest singer of all time and space. Her voice was absolutely exquisite. The orchestra is incredible. Completely sublime work. More artists should be doing projects this special. Infinity stars.
Muy bueno
Fitzgerald is arguably the best in her genre, this album just exemplifies it
Ma nema se ovdje šta puno reći. Njen glas je legendaran, orkestar koji ju prati svira savršeno, Gershwin je legenda sam po sebi. Još mi dosta prija jazz ili ovaj orkestralni big band zvuk u zadnje vrijeme. Čista desetka
Perfection!
Stunning and perfect for a Sunday.
Listened to all 6 discs(not in one sitting) and I still dig it. Not sure how many other albums/musicians where I could do the same thing without getting sick of it.
Hammer Stimme, Hammer Musik, nothing more to say.
Bliss.
This album was the perfect choice on this foggy November day, it put me in the right mood for the coming Christmas time soon. Perfectly written, produced, sang and performed songs, and this saying while I am not particularly into American jazz music. Ella Fitzgerald was amazing and this was such a great listen. I usually don't rate compilation albums high but this is an exception. I could listen to this for three more hours!
Wow. Now this is music. She's like the female version of Nat King Cole. Smooth jazz. Cozy 50s vibes. Big mood. I could listen to this all day. Thankfully, it's over 3 hours long, so I can do exactly that.
5 stars, pre-listen. No notes.5 stars, pre-listen. No notes. I spent the last two days listening to this and it's good to listen to people who are at the tip top of their art form, ya know? The next album better be strong or it's going to suffer for coming second.