The Songbooks

~ Release by Ella Fitzgerald (see all versions of this release, 2 available)

Annotation

Notes

A best-of the famous songbooks from the early Verve years.
A decent compilation, though The Best of the Songbooks is probably superior.

Annotation last modified on 2007-12-03 23:50 UTC.

Tracklist

CD 1
#TitleRatingLength
1Oh, Lady Be Good
lead vocals:
Ella Fitzgerald (American jazz singer)
conductor:
Nelson Riddle
arranger:
Nelson Riddle
recorded at:
Capitol Studios (Hollywood, CA) in Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, United States (from 1959-01 until 1959-03)
cover recording of:
Oh, Lady Be Good!
lyricist:
Ira Gershwin (in 1924)
composer:
George Gershwin (composer) (in 1924)
publisher:
Chappell Music Ltd., George Gershwin Music, Ira Gershwin Music and WB Music Corp. (1929–2019) (until 2019-05-28)
part of:
American Splendor
part of:
Lady, Be Good (full musical)
4:04
2Nice Work If You Can Get It
lead vocals:
Ella Fitzgerald (American jazz singer)
conductor:
Nelson Riddle
arranger:
Nelson Riddle
recorded at:
Capitol Studios (Hollywood, CA) in Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, United States (from 1959-01 until 1959-03)
cover recording of:
Nice Work If You Can Get It
lyricist:
Ira Gershwin (in 1937)
composer:
George Gershwin (composer) (in 1937)
publisher:
Chappell & Co., Inc. (USA) and Gershwin Publishing Corp (in 1937)
part of:
A Damsel in Distress (1937 film score)
part of:
Crazy for You (1992 musical)
part of:
My One and Only (1983 Broadway musical)
3:35
3Fascinating Rhythm
lead vocals:
Ella Fitzgerald (American jazz singer)
conductor:
Nelson Riddle
arranger:
Nelson Riddle
recorded at:
Capitol Studios (Hollywood, CA) in Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, United States (from 1959-01 until 1959-03)
cover recording of:
Fascinating Rhythm (for piano solo)
composer:
George Gershwin (composer) (in 1924)
arranger:
George Gershwin (composer)
arrangement of:
Fascinatin’ Rhythm
part of:
George Gershwin’s Songbook (18 arrangements for piano solo by George Gershwin, 1932)
3:25
4All the Things You Are
engineer:
Val Valentin
producer:
Norman Granz
lead vocals:
Ella Fitzgerald (American jazz singer) (in 1963)
conductor:
Nelson Riddle (in 1963)
performer:
Nelson Riddle and His Orchestra (in 1963)
arranger:
Nelson Riddle
cover recording of:
All the Things You Are (from “Very Warm for May”) (from 1963-01-07 to present)
lyricist:
Oscar Hammerstein II (of Rodgers & Hammerstein) (in 1939)
composer:
Jerome Kern (in 1939)
publisher:
Polygram Int. Publishing (renamed Universal PolyGram International Publishing, Inc. circa 1998) (ended), T.B. Harms Inc. (ended) and Universal PolyGram International Publishing, Inc. (existed only since ca. 1998)
part of:
Broadway Rhythm (film)
3:18
5Yesterdays
engineer:
Val Valentin
producer:
Norman Granz
lead vocals:
Ella Fitzgerald (American jazz singer) (in 1963)
conductor:
Nelson Riddle (in 1963)
performer:
Nelson Riddle and His Orchestra (in 1963)
arranger:
Nelson Riddle
cover recording of:
Yesterdays (in 1963)
lyricist:
Otto Harbach
composer:
Jerome Kern
publisher:
PolyGram Music Publishing Ltd., Universal Music Publishing Ltd. (UK subsidiary of Universal Music Publishing Group) and Universal PolyGram International Publishing, Inc. (existed only since ca. 1998)
part of:
Roberta
2:53
6Can’t Help Lovin’ Dat Man
engineer:
Val Valentin
producer:
Norman Granz
lead vocals:
Ella Fitzgerald (American jazz singer) (in 1963)
conductor:
Nelson Riddle (in 1963)
performer:
Nelson Riddle and His Orchestra (in 1963)
arranger:
Nelson Riddle
cover recording of:
Can’t Help Lovin’ Dat Man (Show Boat) (in 1963)
lyricist:
Oscar Hammerstein II (of Rodgers & Hammerstein) (in 1927)
composer:
Jerome Kern (in 1927)
publisher:
T.B. Harms Co.
medley of:
Selections from "Show boat"
part of:
Show Boat (1951 film)
part of:
Show Boat: Act I
part of:
The Real Book (compilation of jazz standards, Volume I)
3:56
7Come Rain or Come Shine
engineer:
Val Valentin
producer:
Norman Granz
lead vocals:
Ella Fitzgerald (American jazz singer)
orchestra:
Billy May
arranger:
Billy May
recorded at:
Radio Recorders Studios (Santa Monica Blvd. location since 1949) in West Hollywood, California, United States (on 1961-01-16)
cover recording of:
Come Rain or Come Shine
lyricist:
Johnny Mercer (in 1946)
composer:
Harold Arlen (in 1946)
publisher:
Chappell & Co., Chappell & Co., Inc. (USA), S.A. Music Co. and Warner/Chappell Music Scandinavia AB
3:25
8It’s Only a Paper Moon
engineer:
Val Valentin
producer:
Norman Granz
lead vocals:
Ella Fitzgerald (American jazz singer)
orchestra:
Billy May
arranger:
Billy May
recorded at:
Capitol Studios (Hollywood, CA) in Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, United States (on 1960-08-01)
cover recording of:
It’s Only a Paper Moon
lyricist:
E.Y. Harburg (in 1933) and Billy Rose (lyricist and Broadway producer) (in 1933)
composer:
Harold Arlen (in 1933)
publisher:
Anne-Rachel Music Corp., Chappell Music Ltd., Gloccamorria Music, S.A. Music Co., Shapiro Bernstein & Co. Ltd. and Warner Bros. Music (publisher; do NOT use as release label)
3:38
9Over the Rainbow
engineer:
Val Valentin
producer:
Norman Granz
lead vocals:
Ella Fitzgerald (American jazz singer)
orchestra:
Billy May
arranger:
Billy May
recorded at:
Radio Recorders Studios (Santa Monica Blvd. location since 1949) in West Hollywood, California, United States (on 1961-01-14)
cover recording of:
Over the Rainbow (The Wizard of Oz)
lyricist:
Yip Harburg (in 1938)
composer:
Harold Arlen (in 1938)
premiered by:
Judy Garland (in 1939)
publisher:
EMI Feist Catalog Inc., EMI Music (do not use as release label! this is a music publisher), EMI Partnership Ltd., EMI United Partnership Ltd., Leo Feist Music, Robbins Music Corp. Ltd., United Partnership Ltd. and Warner/Chappell
sub-publisher:
EMI Music Publishing (S.E. Asia) Ltd., Taiwan, フジパシフィック音楽出版 SBK事業部 (until 2014-12-31), ヤマハミュージックパブリッシング (until 2017-03-31), フジパシフィックミュージック SBK事業部 (from 2015-01-01 to present) and ヤマハミュージックエンタテインメントホールディングス (holding company – do not use as release label) (from 2017-04-01 to present)
part of:
The 12th Academy Award for Best Original Song (number: 1) and Academy Award for Best Original Song (number: 12)
part of:
The Wizard of Oz (1942 Arlen/Harburg musical)
part of:
The Wizard of Oz (1939 film soundtrack)
4:19
10Laura
engineer:
Val Valentin
producer:
Norman Granz
alto saxophone:
Willie Smith (US jazz alto saxophonist, 1910-1967) (from 1964-10-19 until 1964-10-21)
clarinet:
Buddy DeFranco (from 1964-10-19 until 1964-10-21)
instruments:
Paul Smith (Paul Thatcher Smith, jazz pianist, composer, arranger and bandleader) (from 1964-10-19 until 1964-10-21)
tenor saxophone:
Plas Johnson (from 1964-10-19 until 1964-10-21)
vibraphone:
Frank Flynn (from 1964-10-19 until 1964-10-21)
lead vocals:
Ella Fitzgerald (American jazz singer) (from 1964-10-19 until 1964-10-21)
conductor:
Nelson Riddle (from 1964-10-19 until 1964-10-21)
performer:
Nelson Riddle and His Orchestra (in 1964)
arranger:
Nelson Riddle
cover recording of:
Laura (1945 song) (in 1964)
lyricist:
Johnny Mercer (in 1945)
composer:
David Raksin (in 1944)
publisher:
EMI Robbins Catalog Inc. (ASCAP), EMI United Partnership Ltd., Robbins Music Corp., Twentieth Century Music Corp. and United Partnership Ltd.
version of:
Laura (original 1944 film theme)
3:45
11Skylark
engineer:
Val Valentin
producer:
Norman Granz
alto saxophone:
Willie Smith (US jazz alto saxophonist, 1910-1967) (from 1964-10-19 until 1964-10-21)
clarinet:
Buddy DeFranco (from 1964-10-19 until 1964-10-21)
instruments:
Paul Smith (Paul Thatcher Smith, jazz pianist, composer, arranger and bandleader) (from 1964-10-19 until 1964-10-21)
tenor saxophone:
Plas Johnson (from 1964-10-19 until 1964-10-21)
vibraphone:
Frank Flynn (from 1964-10-19 until 1964-10-21)
lead vocals:
Ella Fitzgerald (American jazz singer) (from 1964-10-19 until 1964-10-21)
conductor:
Nelson Riddle (from 1964-10-19 until 1964-10-21)
performer:
Nelson Riddle and His Orchestra (in 1964)
arranger:
Nelson Riddle
cover recording of:
Skylark (in 1964)
lyricist:
Johnny Mercer
composer:
Hoagy Carmichael (in 1941)
publisher:
Frank Music Corp., George Simon Music Co., George Simon, Inc., Hoagy Publishing Co., Songs of Peer, Ltd. (ASCAP), The Johnny Mercer Foundation, Warner Bros. Music (publisher; do NOT use as release label), WB Music Corp. (1929–2019) (until 2019-05-28) and WC Music Corp. (from 2019-05-28 to present)
sub-publisher:
日音 Synch事業部
3:13
12This Time the Dream’s on Me
alto saxophone:
Willie Smith (US jazz alto saxophonist, 1910-1967) (from 1964-10-19 until 1964-10-21)
clarinet:
Buddy DeFranco (from 1964-10-19 until 1964-10-21)
instruments:
Paul Smith (Paul Thatcher Smith, jazz pianist, composer, arranger and bandleader) (from 1964-10-19 until 1964-10-21)
tenor saxophone:
Plas Johnson (from 1964-10-19 until 1964-10-21)
vibraphone:
Frank Flynn (from 1964-10-19 until 1964-10-21)
lead vocals:
Ella Fitzgerald (American jazz singer) (from 1964-10-19 until 1964-10-21)
conductor:
Nelson Riddle (from 1964-10-19 until 1964-10-21)
arranger:
Nelson Riddle
cover recording of:
This Time the Dream’s on Me
lyricist:
Johnny Mercer (in 1941)
composer:
Harold Arlen (in 1941)
2:56
13Puttin’ on the Ritz
engineer:
Val Valentin
producer:
Norman Granz
lead vocals:
Ella Fitzgerald (American jazz singer) (in 1958)
conductor:
Paul Weston (in 1958)
performer:
Paul Weston and His Orchestra (in 1958)
arranger:
Paul Weston (in 1958)
cover recording of:
Puttin’ On the Ritz (in 1958)
lyricist and composer:
Irving Berlin (in 1929)
publisher:
Berlin Irving Music Corp and Universal Music Publishing Ltd. (UK subsidiary of Universal Music Publishing Group)
part of:
Idiot’s Delight (film)
2:18
14Alexander’s Ragtime Band
engineer:
Val Valentin
producer:
Norman Granz
lead vocals:
Ella Fitzgerald (American jazz singer) (in 1958)
conductor:
Paul Weston (in 1958)
performer:
Paul Weston and His Orchestra (in 1958)
arranger:
Paul Weston (in 1958)
cover recording of:
Alexander’s Ragtime Band (in 1958)
lyricist and composer:
Irving Berlin (in 1911)
publisher:
Williamson Music, Inc.
2:44
15Cheek to Cheek
engineer:
Val Valentin
producer:
Norman Granz
lead vocals:
Ella Fitzgerald (American jazz singer) (in 1958)
conductor:
Paul Weston (in 1958)
performer:
Paul Weston and His Orchestra (in 1958)
arranger:
Paul Weston (in 1958)
cover recording of:
Cheek to Cheek (from “Top Hat”) (in 1958)
lyricist and composer:
Irving Berlin (in 1935)
publisher:
Irving Berlin (England) Music Ltd., Irving Berlin Music Company, Irving Berlin Music Corp., シンコーミュージック・エンタテイメント and ユニバーサル・ミュージック・パブリッシング Synch事業部
part of:
The 8th Academy Award for Best Original Song (number: 2)
part of:
Top Hat (1935 film)
3:48
16My Funny Valentine
recorded in:
Los Angeles, California, United States (from 1956-08-21 until 1956-08-31)
engineer:
Val Valentin
producer:
Norman Granz
baritone saxophone:
Chuck Gentry (from 1956-08-21 until 1956-08-31)
bass:
Joe Mondragon (from 1956-08-21 until 1956-08-31)
bass trombone:
George Roberts (american bass trombone) (from 1956-08-21 until 1956-08-31)
drums (drum set):
Alvin Stoller (from 1956-08-21 until 1956-08-31)
flugelhorn:
Vince DeRosa (from 1956-08-21 until 1956-08-31)
flute and saxophone:
Bob Cooper (US jazz saxophonist) (from 1956-08-21 until 1956-08-31), Ted Nash (40s-80s US swing reedman, uncle of the other) (from 1956-08-21 until 1956-08-31), Bud Shank (from 1956-08-21 until 1956-08-31) and Maurice Stein (American jazz saxophonist) (from 1956-08-21 until 1956-08-31)
guitar:
Barney Kessel (from 1956-08-21 until 1956-08-31)
piano:
Paul Smith (Paul Thatcher Smith, jazz pianist, composer, arranger and bandleader) (from 1956-08-21 until 1956-08-31)
trombone:
Milt Bernhart (from 1956-08-21 until 1956-08-31), Joe Howard (american trombone player) (from 1956-08-21 until 1956-08-31) and Lloyd Ulyate (from 1956-08-21 until 1956-08-31)
trumpet:
Pete Candoli (from 1956-08-21 until 1956-08-31), Maynard Ferguson (from 1956-08-21 until 1956-08-31), Conrad Gozzo (from 1956-08-21 until 1956-08-31) and Ray Linn (from 1956-08-21 until 1956-08-31)
lead vocals:
Ella Fitzgerald (American jazz singer)
vocals:
Ella Fitzgerald (American jazz singer) (from 1956-08-21 until 1956-08-31)
conductor:
Buddy Bregman (from 1956-08-21 until 1956-08-31)
arranger and orchestrator:
Buddy Bregman
cover recording of:
My Funny Valentine (from “Babes in Arms”) (from 1956-08-21 until 1956-08-31)
lyricist:
Lorenz Hart (in 1937)
composer:
Richard Rodgers (composer) (in 1937)
publisher:
Chappell & Co., Inc. (USA), Touch Music Publishing Pte Ltd., Warner Chappell Music Ltd. (no slash; used 1988–1996), Warner/Chappell and Williamson Music Company
sub-publisher:
Warner/Chappell Music, Hong Kong Limited (華納音樂版權香港有限公司 (1995–2019)), シンコーミュージック・エンタテイメント, ヤマハミュージックエンタテインメントホールディングス (holding company – do not use as release label) and ワーナー・チャペル音楽出版 Synch事業部
part of:
Babes in Arms (full musical)
part of:
The Real Book (compilation of jazz standards, Volume I)
part of:
Waiting to Exhale (1995 film)
43:56
17Have You Met Miss Jones
recorded in:
Los Angeles, California, United States (from 1956-08-21 until 1956-08-31)
engineer:
Val Valentin
producer:
Norman Granz
baritone saxophone:
Chuck Gentry (from 1956-08-21 until 1956-08-31)
bass:
Joe Mondragon (from 1956-08-21 until 1956-08-31)
bass trombone:
George Roberts (american bass trombone) (from 1956-08-21 until 1956-08-31)
drums (drum set):
Alvin Stoller (from 1956-08-21 until 1956-08-31)
flugelhorn:
Vince DeRosa (from 1956-08-21 until 1956-08-31)
flute and saxophone:
Bob Cooper (US jazz saxophonist) (from 1956-08-21 until 1956-08-31), Ted Nash (40s-80s US swing reedman, uncle of the other) (from 1956-08-21 until 1956-08-31), Bud Shank (from 1956-08-21 until 1956-08-31) and Maurice Stein (American jazz saxophonist) (from 1956-08-21 until 1956-08-31)
guitar:
Barney Kessel (from 1956-08-21 until 1956-08-31)
piano:
Paul Smith (Paul Thatcher Smith, jazz pianist, composer, arranger and bandleader) (from 1956-08-21 until 1956-08-31)
trombone:
Milt Bernhart (from 1956-08-21 until 1956-08-31), Joe Howard (american trombone player) (from 1956-08-21 until 1956-08-31) and Lloyd Ulyate (from 1956-08-21 until 1956-08-31)
trumpet:
Pete Candoli (from 1956-08-21 until 1956-08-31), Maynard Ferguson (from 1956-08-21 until 1956-08-31), Conrad Gozzo (from 1956-08-21 until 1956-08-31) and Ray Linn (from 1956-08-21 until 1956-08-31)
lead vocals:
Ella Fitzgerald (American jazz singer)
vocals:
Ella Fitzgerald (American jazz singer) (from 1956-08-21 until 1956-08-31)
conductor:
Buddy Bregman (from 1956-08-21 until 1956-08-31)
arranger and orchestrator:
Buddy Bregman
recording of:
Have You Met Miss Jones? (I’d Rather Be Right) (from 1956-08-21 until 1956-08-31)
lyricist:
Lorenz Hart (in 1937)
composer:
Richard Rodgers (composer) (in 1937)
publisher:
Chappell & Co., Inc. (USA) and Williamson Music Company
part of:
I’d Rather Be Right
3:42
18The Lady Is a Tramp
recorded in:
Los Angeles, California, United States (from 1956-08-21 until 1956-08-31)
engineer:
Val Valentin
producer:
Norman Granz
baritone saxophone:
Chuck Gentry (from 1956-08-21 until 1956-08-31)
bass:
Joe Mondragon (from 1956-08-21 until 1956-08-31)
bass trombone:
George Roberts (american bass trombone) (from 1956-08-21 until 1956-08-31)
drums (drum set):
Alvin Stoller (from 1956-08-21 until 1956-08-31)
flugelhorn:
Vince DeRosa (from 1956-08-21 until 1956-08-31)
flute and saxophone:
Bob Cooper (US jazz saxophonist) (from 1956-08-21 until 1956-08-31), Ted Nash (40s-80s US swing reedman, uncle of the other) (from 1956-08-21 until 1956-08-31), Bud Shank (from 1956-08-21 until 1956-08-31) and Maurice Stein (American jazz saxophonist) (from 1956-08-21 until 1956-08-31)
guitar:
Barney Kessel (from 1956-08-21 until 1956-08-31)
piano:
Paul Smith (Paul Thatcher Smith, jazz pianist, composer, arranger and bandleader) (from 1956-08-21 until 1956-08-31)
trombone:
Milt Bernhart (from 1956-08-21 until 1956-08-31), Joe Howard (american trombone player) (from 1956-08-21 until 1956-08-31) and Lloyd Ulyate (from 1956-08-21 until 1956-08-31)
trumpet:
Pete Candoli (from 1956-08-21 until 1956-08-31), Maynard Ferguson (from 1956-08-21 until 1956-08-31), Conrad Gozzo (from 1956-08-21 until 1956-08-31) and Ray Linn (from 1956-08-21 until 1956-08-31)
lead vocals:
Ella Fitzgerald (American jazz singer)
vocals:
Ella Fitzgerald (American jazz singer) (from 1956-08-21 until 1956-08-31)
conductor:
Buddy Bregman (from 1956-08-21 until 1956-08-31)
arranger and orchestrator:
Buddy Bregman
cover recording of:
The Lady Is a Tramp (from “Babes in Arms”) (from 1956-08-21 until 1956-08-31)
lyricist:
Lorenz Hart (in 1937)
composer:
Richard Rodgers (composer) (in 1937)
publisher:
Chappell & Co., Chappell & Co., Inc. (USA) and Warner Chappell Music Ltd. (no slash; used 1988–1996)
part of:
Babes in Arms (full musical)
part of:
Pal Joey
53:23
19Manhattan
recorded in:
Los Angeles, California, United States (on 1956-08-29)
engineer:
Val Valentin (on 1956-08-29)
producer:
Norman Granz
baritone saxophone:
Chuck Gentry (on 1956-08-29)
bass:
Joe Mondragon (from 1956-08-21 until 1956-08-31)
bass trombone:
George Roberts (american bass trombone) (on 1956-08-29)
drums (drum set):
Alvin Stoller (on 1956-08-29)
flugelhorn:
Vince DeRosa (on 1956-08-29)
flute and saxophone:
Bob Cooper (US jazz saxophonist) (on 1956-08-29), Ted Nash (40s-80s US swing reedman, uncle of the other) (on 1956-08-29), Bud Shank (on 1956-08-29) and Maurice Stein (American jazz saxophonist) (on 1956-08-29)
guitar:
Barney Kessel (on 1956-08-29)
piano:
Paul Smith (Paul Thatcher Smith, jazz pianist, composer, arranger and bandleader) (on 1956-08-29)
trombone:
Milt Bernhart (on 1956-08-29), Joe Howard (american trombone player) (on 1956-08-29) and Lloyd Ulyate (on 1956-08-29)
trumpet:
Pete Candoli (on 1956-08-29), Maynard Ferguson (on 1956-08-29), Conrad Gozzo (on 1956-08-29) and Ray Linn (on 1956-08-29)
vocals:
Ella Fitzgerald (American jazz singer) (on 1956-08-29)
conductor:
Buddy Bregman (on 1956-08-29)
arranger and orchestrator:
Buddy Bregman
cover recording of:
Manhattan (on 1956-08-29)
lyricist:
Lorenz Hart (in 1925)
composer:
Richard Rodgers (composer) (in 1925)
publisher:
Edward B. Marks Music Co. (founded originally as J. Stern & Co. in 1894, renamed in 1919), Piedmont Music Company and Williamson Music Company
sub-publisher:
ヤマハミュージックエンタテインメントホールディングス (holding company – do not use as release label) and ワーナー・チャペル音楽出版 Synch事業部
2:51

Credits

Release

producer:Jim Fishel
remastering:Dennis Drake (US PolyGram engineer)
part of:Verve Silver Collections (number: 823 445-2) (order: 2)
ASIN:US: B0000046VX [info]