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Favorite Ella Recordings

Ella Fitzgerald's career spanned many decades, and her vocal style varied markedly over the years. So too her choice of accompaniment, ranging from simple piano to full orchestra. Her recorded catalog is staggering in size.

Although I've purchased and enjoyed several albums, I feel I'm shooting in the dark. I need help from some of the experts out there to narrow my choices.

What I'm looking for is the smaller group, more intimate albums, that have what I'll call the "timeless" feel to them. Maybe I'm not describing this properly, but some of her work has arrangements that died (properly!) before I was born. While I can usually filter this out if the vocal is really good, my wife and kids think I've fallen off the planet when I play them.

Decent remastering is always a plus. My system does a great job with vocals, and a good transfer definitely enhances the experience.

CD format only please (yes I know analog would be preferred, but that's not my system (at least for now!)

Thanks!
bama214

Showing 1 response by trebleclef

trebleclef
73 posts
 
Hmm Tough call. If you only want CD format I would suggest the "Pure Ella" on Decca. What this is a reissue of the Ella Sings Gershiwn. Just her and piano. The cd has a couple of extra tracks. The reason you want to pick this up is that (word has it) GRP did the remastering and for whatever reason the tapes were destroyed in the process.
Of the songbook series I like the Harold Arlen the best. In my collection I have more of her than any others. But I like quite a few.
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