Ella In Berlin (live album) by Ella Fitzgerald

Fitzgerald, from a poor and troubled background, achieved success, despite her tough manner and dishevelled appearance, singing with big bands in the swing era during the 30s, and then as solo vocalist with bepop jazz bands in the 40s when she developed her scat style. In 1956 she began an eight year period of annually releasing an album focusing on songs and composers from the Great American Songbook. Though these albums are highly popular and highly regarded, the live In Berlin is more significant - it is an awesome recording and really shows her at her best. Her ad-libbing and scatting is creative and of a very high order, and her voice is superb, relaxed, confident, and very at ease with the songs she is doing. She is regarded as the "First Lady of Song", and the "Queen of Jazz", and this album really shows why.

From 2nd-Impressions 10/15/2020 06:31

70/100

Best tracks: Summertime, Mack the Knife
Worst tracks: The Lady Is a Tramp, Too Darn Hot, Lorelei

A phenomenal live recording by one of the greatest singers of the 20th century. A personal favorite is "Mack the Knife".

The woman was a treasure. She had one of the best voices of her generation and was a class act all the way. This record although not one of her greatest is still pretty darn good.

Any artist should learn from this master on how to improvise if you forget lines. Listen to How High the Moon, but more so Mack the Knife - she never fails to make me smile with this track.