De-Lovely

The companion to volume 1--you can't have one without the other. Beautiful, lyrical renditions of "I Love Paris" and "So in Love." "It's All Right with Me" is really hot, and "Don't Fence Me In" is a fun finish. Really, they're all favorites. As with volume 1, Buddy Bregman provides the apt orchestra arrangements. I can't honestly say whether I prefer either volume; whenever I listen to one of them, I invariably play the other immediately afterward.

I love Ella in the springtime

Even better than volume one. From the gorgeous rendition of I Love Paris to the delightful and fun Don't Fence Me In (which noone else should even bother singing again because Ella has perfected it), this CD has one great song after another, different in moods, yet united by their great arrangements and above all Ella's clear beautiful voice and perfect phrasing. On some of the tracks, especially I've Got You Under My Skin (this version blows Sinatra's away) and Don't Fence Me In, the sound quality is remarkable and it sounds like it was recorded yesterday not in the mid 50s.

THE BEST COLE PORTER ALBUM EVER

This and Vol. 1 of "The Cole Porter Songbook" is the best collection of Porter's songs you'll find. Fitzgerald hits all the right beats. She's emotional when she should be emotional. Flirty when she should be flirty. Perhaps the most appealing part of her performance is the sense of humor that shines through. And so does Porter's. It's the best songwriter and the best singer all in one. How can you beat it? If you don't have Vol. 1, buy the complete set. You'll save money in the long run. Because you'll want both volumes once you have one of 'em.