ORIG. 5LP Gershwin Songbook ELLA FITZGERALD 1959 NM NR
$
49
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Description
~RECORDS MAKE GREAT GIFTS~ This auction is for the
Complete
ORIGINAL FIVE ALBUM SET OF Ella Fitzgerald Sings
The George And Ira Gershwin Song Book ON VERVE RECORDS
At auction is a very attractive 5-LP set of Ella Fitzgerald's masterful rendition of The George And Ira Gershwin Song Book. This is the original Monaural release of this magnificent production in Five individual Gatefold Albums, NOT the later Boxed Set, which is more commonly seen in recent times. Original issues of this set in either version are quite scarce, particularly in outstanding condition.
VERVE #s MGV 4024; MGV 4025; MGV 4026; MGV 4027; MGV 4028
In 1959, at age 41 and at the peak of her vocal powers, Ella Fitzgerald embarked on the most ambitious recording project of her career: Ella Fitzgerald Sings the George and Ira Gershwin Songbook. The sessions, marking her first collaboration with music legend Nelson Riddle and his orchestra, were released as a series of 5 Monaural Gatefold albums with original cover artwork by the French artist Bernard Buffet.
Ella's "The Gershwin Songbook" is considered by some to be one of the most ambitious achievements in Western popular music. Be that as it may, the albums certainly are a monumental testament to both the iconic compositions of the Gershwin Brothers, and the peerless vocal talents of Ella Fitzgerald. Riddle arranged 59 Gershwin compositions for the album, including the two orchestral suites which open the album.
Though Fitzgerald was 22 years old at the time George Gershwin died, Ira Gershwin was still alive to see this project completed, and helped contribute lyrics and support to some songs on the album which had never been recorded before. It was of this project that led Ira Gershwin to say that he had "never known how good our songs were until I heard Ella sing them".
Ella's recording of "But Not for Me" won her the 1960 Grammy Award for Best Female Vocal Performance. Alas, as with her other songbooks devoted to the Broadway composers, Ella gets little opportunity to display her notable scat singing. The exception here--and a memorable one, indeed--is the epic "I Got Rhythm".
CONDITION
The Vinyl on all 5 LPs appears overall to be a strong VG+/NM, graded visually. The labels are unworn and the vinyl bright and glossy, albeit with an occasional non-sounding paper scuff and a trace of dust. One exception of note, however, is a small perpendicular scratch between tracks one and two on the 'B' side of Vol.1, which I suspect will result in a modest "tic," but not a skip.
Otherwise, throughout the entire 5 LP set, there appear to be no other significant flaws to detract from your listening enjoyment of these obviously seldom-played Vinyl gems. All the Gatefolds are Very Good Plus, with an expected bit of normal wear around the edges (very modest for 50 years on the shelf), but no tears or splits.
LIST OF SONGS
The tracklist for all 5 LPs is given below, listed by album and date the individual song was recorded; session location and participants are included. Please note that these listings do not necessarily reflect the actual order in which a particular song appears on its respective album.
GV 4024 - Ella Fitzgerald Sings The George And Ira Gershwin Song Book, Vol. 1
Los Angeles, CA, January 5, 7 & 8, 1959 [Personnel: Don Fagerquist (tp) Bob Cooper (ts) Alvin Stoller (d) Ella Fitzgerald (vo) Nelson Riddle (arr, dir) unidentified strings, and others]
How Long Has This Been Going On?
(I've Got) Beginner's Luck
But Not For Me
Oh, Lady Be Good
Los Angeles, CA, March 26, 1959 [Personnel: Ella Fitzgerald (vo) Nelson Riddle's Orchestra]
My One And Only
Nice Work If You Can Get It
Let's Call The Whole Thing Off
Los Angeles, CA, July 16, 1959 [same personnel]
Sam And Delilah
Los Angeles, CA, July 17, 1959 [same personnel]
Things Are Looking Up
Just Another Rhumba
Los Angeles, CA, January 5, 7 & 8, 1959 [Personnel: Don Fagerquist (tp) Bob Cooper (ts) Alvin Stoller (d) Ella Fitzgerald (vo) Nelson Riddle (arr, dir) unidentified strings, and others]
The Man I Love
Los Angeles, CA, March 26, 1959 [Personnel:Ella Fitzgerald (vo) Nelson Riddle's Orchestra]
Someone To Watch Over Me
Looking For A Boy
They All Laughed
Los Angeles, CA, July 15, 1959 [same personnel]
That Certain Feeling
Los Angeles, CA, July 16, 1959 [same personnel]
'S Wonderful
Who Cares?
By Strauss
Los Angeles, CA, July 17, 1959 [same personnel]
My Cousin From Milwaukee
Los Angeles, CA, July 18, 1959 [same personnel]
Somebody From Somewhere
The Real American Folk Song
MGV 4026 - Ella Fitzgerald Sings The George And Ira Gershwin Song Book, Vol. 3
Los Angeles, CA, January 5, 7 & 8, 1959 [Personnel: Don Fagerquist (tp) Bob Cooper (ts) Alvin Stoller (d) Ella Fitzgerald (vo) Nelson Riddle (arr, dir) unidentified strings, and others]
Soon
A Foggy Day
I'm Biding My Time
Clap Yo' Hands (Clap Hands Here Comes Charlie)
I've Got A Crush On You
Los Angeles, CA, March 18, 1959 [Same Personnel]
Of Thee I Sing
Los Angeles, CA, July 15, 1959 [Personnel: Ella Fitzgerald (vo) Nelson Riddle's Orchestra]
Boy Wanted
Los Angeles, CA, July 16, 1959 [Same Personnel]
Strike Up The Band
Los Angeles, CA, July 17, 1959 [Same Personnel]
Stiff Upper Lip
Los Angeles, CA, July 18, 1959 [Same Personnel]
For You, For Me, Forevermore
Are Not You Kind Of Glad We Did?
Los Angeles, CA, January 5, 7 & 8, 1959 [Personnel: Don Fagerquist (tp) Bob Cooper (ts) Alvin Stoller (d) Ella Fitzgerald (vo) Nelson Riddle (arr, dir) unidentified strings, and others]
Love Is Here To Stay
He Loves And She Loves
Slap That Bass
You've Got What Gets Me
Los Angeles, CA, March 18, 1959 [Same Personnel]
I Was Doing All Right
Los Angeles, CA, March 26, 1959 [Personnel: Ella Fitzgerald (vo) Nelson Riddle's Orchestra]
Love Walked In
Los Angeles, CA, July 15, 1959 [Same Personnel]
Shall We Dance
"The Half Of It, Dearie" Blues
Los Angeles, CA, July 16, 1959 [Same Personnel]
Treat Me Rough
Los Angeles, CA, July 18, 1959 [Same Personnel]
Love Is Sweeping The Country
Isn't It A Pity?
Los Angeles, CA, January 5, 7 & 8, 1959 [Personnel: Don Fagerquist (tp) Bob Cooper (ts) Alvin Stoller (d) Ella Fitzgerald (vo) Nelson Riddle (arr, dir) unidentified strings, and others]
I Got Rhythm
They Can't Take That Away From Me
Embraceable You
Los Angeles, CA, March 18, 1959 [Same Personnel]
I Can't Be Bothered Now
Funny Face
Fascinating Rhythm
Los Angeles, CA, March 26, 1959 [Personnel: Ella Fitzgerald (vo) Nelson Riddle's Orchestra]
Let's Kiss And Make Up
Los Angeles, CA, July 15, 1959 [Same Personnel]
Lorelei
What Love Has Done To Me
Los Angeles, CA, July 17, 1959 [Same Personnel]
Oh So Nice
Please don't miss this marvelous opportunity to become the proud owner of this Uncommon set of American Jazz Classics, Ella Fitzgerald Sings The George And Ira Gershwin Song Book.
Bid Now, and Bid Decisively!! The only record purchase you'll ever regret is the one you didn't make. This Outstanding 5-LP set comes with a low opening bid and
ABSOLUTELY NO RESERVE!! Many Thanks to WIKIPEDIA and JAZZDISCO.ORG for Background Material adapted for use in this Listing.
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