"Arlen, Mercer and Frank DeVol ~ Ella!"

Ella's recordings could fill an entire library ~ her performances are flawless with each tune more satisfying than the previous one. From the mid '30s we've come to enjoy "The First Lady of Song" ~ Verve Records has released for the first time on CD "Sings Sweet Songs for Swingers", originally released on LP on November of 1958 featuring 12 unforgettable tracks that will leave no doubt about the best of the best female vocalist ever to record and perform. What is so nice about this collection is she can change tempos on a dime and never miss a beat.

Ella's style is so timeless as you're instantly amazed by her voice ~ take for instance the tracks "SWEET AND LOVELY", "LET'S FALL IN LOVE" and "MAKIN' WHOOPEE" with absolutely to die for arrangements by the legendary Frank DeVol ~ swingin' standards that work perfectly. "GONE WITH THE WIND", as only Ella can do justice ~ "MOONLIGHT SERENADE", an old Glenn Miller classic that Ella completely remodels and it works ~ "CAN'T WE BE FRIENDS", this time solo but previously with Pop Armstrong ~ "LULLABY OF BROADWAY", another favorite from the past and our lady of song makes it her own ~ but the highlight in my book is "OUT OF THIS WORLD", from the pen of Arlen and Mercer has always stuck in my mind, ever since I first heard it.

This album and her voice is truly one of a kind ~ she sang with such sweet emotion. The music is magical, it brightens my spirits when I listen as she gave the world her talent...always in a postive mood. Ella is truly one of the best vocalists ever to grace this planet ~ what a great lady ~ there is only one ELLA and you've gotta love her!

Total Time: 40:05 on 12 Tracks ~ Verve Records 000076202 ~ (9/23/2003)

A CLASSIC RELEASE AT LAST ON CD!

Ella fans, clamor and quake no more! This is one of the last albums we've been waiting for on CD (only Hello Dolly remains unreleased; keep the faith!) Here is Ella in absolutely stunning form, and abetted by the versatile Frank DeVol orchestra in the late 50's, with a folder full of classic gems of the Great American Songbook. There's no way you can miss. While half of the tracks could be considered "covers" (Ella would either re-record them later or had done them previously), there are a few surprises here, including the fooler of the album, the classic Johnny Mercer penned I REMEMBER YOU, with it's slow simmering opening verse giving way to a flag waving swinger. Definitely a different and swingin' treatment that might not work for anyone else. Her later version with Nelson Riddle in the 60's would be more true to the usual renditions of this classic, but this version makes for a good alternative. SWEET AND LOVELY, a done-to-death standard takes on new life here and the arrangement is crisp and swinging as well. Ella is in wonderful form and with Harry "Sweets" Edison's fills, this is the perfect opener to the album. GONE WITH THE WIND was one that Ella would carry through until the end of her career. She used it early on, in concerts, and covered it again here.
A lighter version of Lady Day's "prelude to no kiss", MY OLD FLAME also shines as one of this set's standouts (was that a Plas Johnson sax solo at the break?) It's a shame that we don't have complete personnel listings included, but no complaints here; just thrilled to have this one on CD at last! And to be universally correct, we have a dreamy, straight forward version of MOONLIGHT SERENADE, and an easy going version of EAST OF THE SUN (And West Of The Moon) that grows steadily into a swinger. Yes, Ella has sung and swung for the swingers over the years, but this album just endears her more to we adoring fans.