ELLA FITZGERALD
Ella At The Hollywood Bowl: The Irving Berlin Songbook (Verve)
This never-before-released live album – Ella At The Hollywood Bowl – from 1958 marks the only time Ella Fitzgerald performed these particular arrangements with a full orchestra. Conducted and arranged by Paul Weston, the show took place not long after Ella recorded her now-classic album …Sings The Irving Berlin Songbook. Expect, then, classics like Cheek To Cheek, Let’s Face The Music And Dance, and Puttin’ On The Ritz; the latter is accompanied by Alberto Baroni’s animated video, bringing both the song and Giula Pelizzaro’s dynamic album art to life.
Towards the end of Puttin’ On The Ritz, too, Ella can be heard saying “I screwed that one up, ha ha!” referring to a melody she had changed: her unique charm, honesty and energy are palpable throughout the whole live album. At The Hollywood Bowl is rounded out with insightful, scrupulous notes about the concert and Ella’s Songbook series by author and critic Will Friedwald.
words JOHN EVANS
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