The Proper label started out by issuing inexpensive but exhaustive box sets on an array of important subjects, but then moved on to produce a series of single-disc introductions à la Living Era. Their volume on Ella Fitzgerald includes Decca material taken from the mid-'40s and early '50s, after her period with the Chick Webb Orchestra and before her Verve recordings made her one of the best female jazz vocalists of all time. While recording for Decca, Ella balanced the high-flying vocal acrobatics of her early career with ...
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The Proper label started out by issuing inexpensive but exhaustive box sets on an array of important subjects, but then moved on to produce a series of single-disc introductions à la Living Era. Their volume on Ella Fitzgerald includes Decca material taken from the mid-'40s and early '50s, after her period with the Chick Webb Orchestra and before her Verve recordings made her one of the best female jazz vocalists of all time. While recording for Decca, Ella balanced the high-flying vocal acrobatics of her early career with an increasing reliance on her interpretive gifts, and A Proper Introduction to Ella Fitzgerald: Smooth Sailing covers both of those sides. As examples of the former, just listen to "Flying Home" and "Air Mail Special"; for the latter, the compilers chose nine Gershwin tunes including the poignant ballads "Someone to Watch Over Me" and "Oh, Lady Be Good." As with others in the series, the selections make this less than perfect as an introduction to Ella Fitzgerald -- even for this period in her career -- but it's quite good nevertheless. ~ John Bush, Rovi
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Add this copy of Proper Introduction to Ella Fitzgerald: Smooth to cart. $17.89, new condition, Sold by beneton rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Millsboro, DE, UNITED STATES, published 2004 by Proper Introduction.
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