From her many recordings, if you were to pick a couple of exemplary pieces then the Verve recordings from the 50s must figure strongly. By the time she had been recording for Norman Granz's label for a couple of years Ella had reached the peak of her talents. Her voice had matured and her phrasing, pitch, vocal range, intonation and timing had become unsurpassed. No-one could explain how Ella Fitzgerald had acquired such a vocal style.

The George and Ira Gershwin songbook was recorded over nine days in 1959. The orchestra was arranged and conducted by Nelson Riddle. Ira Gershwin even modified some of his lyrics for the recordings. The resulting album prompted Ira to give his famous quote 'I never knew our songs were so good until I heard Ella Fitzgerald sing them'. Unlike most modern recording sessions, most songs were put down in one or two takes only. The album was a big success and through time has become one of the genuine classic recordings.

Ella Swings Gently with Nelson is a collection of swinging upbeat standards recorded in 1961 and 1962. One of two albums reuniting the Gershwin Songbook collaboration with Nelson Riddle, the other being Ella Swings Brightly With Nelson; of the two, Ella Swings Gently is the album which best highlights Ella's incredible vocal style.

 

    Ella and Nelson Riddle

The Ella Fitzgerald Homepage