Product Description:
HAROLD ARLEN SONGBOOK, VOLUME 1 was originally released as part of a 2 LP set.
Personnel includes: Ella Fitzgerald (vocals); Billy May (conductor, arranger); Ted Nash (alto saxophone); Plas Johnson (tenor saxophone); Don Fagerquist (trumpet); Paul Smith (piano); Joe Mondragon (bass); Alvin Stoller (drums).
Recorded at Radio Recorders, Los Angeles, California on August 1-2, 1960 and January 14 & 16, 1961. Includes original release liner notes by Benny Green and Edward Jablonski.
Digitally remastered by Dennis Drake (PolyGram Studios, USA).
In the early '60s, Ella Fitzgerald and producer Norman Granz revived the Songbook series of albums, where Fitzgerald devoted entire albums to the works of notable songwriters. Though the '60s albums were not as renowned as mid-'50s releases, like both classic volumes of THE DUKE ELLINGTON SONGBOOK, they are possibly even stronger albums.
Billy May arranged and conducted these big-band sessions, which also star greats like alto saxophonist Benny Carter. Carter's fleet tone, unusually light for the deep-toned alto, is the instrumental highlight of May's typically swinging charts, but Fitzgerald's magnificent voice is always front and center. Arlen's tunes range from mournful blues like the classic "Stormy Weather"--easily the collection's highpoint--to sprightly gems like "Let's Fall in Love" and his Johnny Mercer collaboration "Ac-Cent-Tchu-Ate the Positive," and Fitzgerald covers this range, as always, with ease. A magnificent set.
For personal non-commercial use only. All rights reserved.
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