Ella: The In-Between Years

This one is a gem for Ella-philes. It was at this point in her career that Ella was recording fewer studio albums, but kept a furious touring schedule. Many of the tunes included here were never recorded in the studio. While some might argue with a choice like "Spinning Wheel", at the time the audiences loved it when Ella sang what she referred to as "today's sound". As her biographer, this is an important piece of Ella history. Her voice had just begun to get the rough edge that would exhibit itself for the rest of her career. Within a year of this recording, Ella would be in hospitals fighting to keep her vision due to complications from diabetes. While it is true that there are other live albums that are better overall, this is one to have in your collection!

I can't stop listening to this one!

This is so incredibly great. I have so much Ella, and I listen to it all the time, but this has fast become my very favorite. It's filled with wonderfully cheesy 70's tunes usually sung by the likes of Tom Jones. She's amazing. I think of all her good stuff being recorded much earlier, but MAN! When you listen to this, that notion will change forever. If you're a tru Ella fan, you MUST get this. You won't be sorry. My favorites are "Spinning Wheel" (originally by Blood, Sweat, and Tears - "What goes up, must come down..."), "Raindrops Keep Falling on My Head," and a great version of "Mack the Knife" that goes on forever and just gets better and better. GET IT!

Mostly for completists

This is interesting mostly for Ella's attempt to try out some different material. The Burt Bacharach-Hal David tunes suggest that a full-length songbook of their work might have been worth considering. And she does well with "Cabaret." But "Spinning Wheel?" Well, she and Sinatra were trying to fit into the contemporary music scene.

It's clear why this concert wasn't released at the time it was recorded in 1970: the sound quality is only so-so and Ella was in only fair voice. Nevertheless, it's one of the last opportunities to hear "Mack the Knife" on record and pianist Tommy Flanagan is outstanding as usual. And for once, Pablo gave the First Lady of Song an album cover worthy of her place in music (compare the worst: "Fine and Mellow").

But as a souvenir of an Ella concert, there were better ones before in Rome and Berlin and better ones after in London and at Carnegie Hall in 1973. Seek those out first if you want to experience the best live Ella recordings.