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, founded 1956) 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, founded 1956) 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, founded 1956) 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. (Universal Music Publishing Limited, 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, founded 1956) 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 & Co., Chappell Music Ltd., Gloccamorria Music, Next Decade Entertainment, S.A. Music Co., SA Music, 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 (Electric & Musical Industries Music, do not use as release label! this is a music publisher), EMI Partnership Ltd., EMI United Partnership Ltd., J. Albert & Son Pty. Ltd., Leo Feist Music, Robbins Music Corp. Ltd., United Partnership Ltd. and Warner/Chappell (Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.)
sub-publisher:
EMI Music Publishing (S.E. Asia) Ltd., Taiwan (EMI Music Publishing (S.E. Asia) Ltd., Taiwan Branch), フジパシフィック音楽出版 SBK事業部 (Fujipacific Music Inc. SBK Division) (until 2014-12-31), ヤマハミュージックパブリッシング (Yamaha Music Publishing) (until 2017-03-31), フジパシフィックミュージック SBK事業部 (Fujipacific Music SBK Department) (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 (Yamaha Music Entertainment Holdings, Inc., 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 (1939 film soundtrack)
part of:
The Wizard of Oz (1942 Arlen/Harburg musical)
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 (NICHION, INC. Synch Division)
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 (on 1958-03-18)
producer:
Norman Granz
vocals:
Ella Fitzgerald (American jazz singer) (on 1958-03-18)
conductor:
Paul Weston (on 1958-03-18)
performer:
Paul Weston and His Orchestra (on 1958-03-18)
arranger:
Paul Weston (in 1958)
recorded at:
Radio Recorders Studios (Santa Monica Blvd. location since 1949) in West Hollywood, California, United States (on 1958-03-18)
cover recording of:
Puttin’ On the Ritz (on 1958-03-18)
lyricist and composer:
Irving Berlin (in 1929)
publisher:
Berlin Irving Music Corp and Universal Music Publishing Ltd. (Universal Music Publishing Limited, UK subsidiary of Universal Music Publishing Group)
part of:
Idiot’s Delight (film)
2:18
14Alexander’s Ragtime Band
engineer:
Val Valentin (on 1958-03-19)
producer:
Norman Granz
lead vocals:
Ella Fitzgerald (American jazz singer) (in 1958)
vocals:
Ella Fitzgerald (American jazz singer) (on 1958-03-19)
conductor:
Paul Weston (in 1958)
performer:
Paul Weston and His Orchestra (in 1958)
arranger:
Paul Weston (in 1958)
recorded at:
Radio Recorders Studios (Santa Monica Blvd. location since 1949) in West Hollywood, California, United States (on 1958-03-19)
cover recording of:
Alexander’s Ragtime Band (on 1958-03-19)
lyricist and composer:
Irving Berlin (in 1911)
publisher:
Williamson Music, Inc.
2:44
15Cheek to Cheek
engineer:
Val Valentin (on 1958-03-18)
producer:
Norman Granz
lead vocals:
Ella Fitzgerald (American jazz singer) (in 1958)
vocals:
Ella Fitzgerald (American jazz singer) (on 1958-03-18)
conductor:
Paul Weston (in 1958)
performer:
Paul Weston and His Orchestra (in 1958)
arranger:
Paul Weston (in 1958)
recorded at:
Radio Recorders Studios (Santa Monica Blvd. location since 1949) in West Hollywood, California, United States (on 1958-03-18)
cover recording of:
Cheek to Cheek (from “Top Hat”) (on 1958-03-18)
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 (Shinko Music Entertainment Co., Ltd.) and ユニバーサル・ミュージック・パブリッシング Synch事業部 (Universal Music Publishing, Synch Division)
part of:
The 8th Academy Award for Best Original Song (number: 2)
part of:
Top Hat (1935 film)
3:48
16My Funny Valentine
engineer:
Val Valentin
producer:
Norman Granz
bass:
Joe Mondragon (on 1956-08-30)
cello:
Robert La Marchina (US cellist and conductor) (on 1956-08-30) and Edgar Lustgarten (on 1956-08-30)
cor anglais [English horn] and oboe:
Bob Cooper (US jazz saxophonist) (on 1956-08-30)
drums (drum set):
Alvin Stoller (on 1956-08-30)
flute:
Ted Nash (40s-80s US swing reedman, uncle of the other) (on 1956-08-30)
French horn:
Vince DeRosa (on 1956-08-30)
guitar:
Barney Kessel (on 1956-08-30)
harp:
Corky Hale (on 1956-08-30)
piano:
Paul Smith (Paul Thatcher Smith, jazz pianist, composer, arranger and bandleader) (on 1956-08-30)
viola and violin:
[unknown] (Special Purpose Artist – Do not add releases here, if possible.) (on 1956-08-30)
lead vocals:
Ella Fitzgerald (American jazz singer) (on 1956-08-30)
vocals:
Ella Fitzgerald (American jazz singer) (on 1956-08-30)
conductor:
Buddy Bregman (on 1956-08-30)
arranger:
Buddy Bregman
recorded at:
Capitol Studios, Studio B in Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, United States (on 1956-08-30)
cover recording of:
My Funny Valentine (from “Babes in Arms”) (on 1956-08-30)
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 (Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.) 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 (Shinko Music Entertainment Co., Ltd.), 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 (Yamaha Music Entertainment Holdings, Inc., 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 (Warner/Chappell Music Japan K.K., Synch Division)
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
engineer:
Val Valentin
producer:
Norman Granz
bass:
Joe Mondragon (on 1956-08-30)
cello:
Robert La Marchina (US cellist and conductor) (on 1956-08-30) and Edgar Lustgarten (on 1956-08-30)
cor anglais [English horn] and oboe:
Bob Cooper (US jazz saxophonist) (on 1956-08-30)
drums (drum set):
Alvin Stoller (on 1956-08-30)
flute:
Ted Nash (40s-80s US swing reedman, uncle of the other) (on 1956-08-30)
French horn:
Vince DeRosa (on 1956-08-30)
guitar:
Barney Kessel (on 1956-08-30)
harp:
Corky Hale (on 1956-08-30)
piano:
Paul Smith (Paul Thatcher Smith, jazz pianist, composer, arranger and bandleader) (on 1956-08-30)
viola and violin:
[unknown] (Special Purpose Artist – Do not add releases here, if possible.) (on 1956-08-30)
vocals:
Ella Fitzgerald (American jazz singer) (on 1956-08-30)
conductor:
Buddy Bregman (on 1956-08-30)
arranger:
Buddy Bregman
recorded at:
Capitol Studios, Studio B in Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, United States (on 1956-08-30)
recording of:
Have You Met Miss Jones? (I’d Rather Be Right) (on 1956-08-30)
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
engineer:
Val Valentin
producer:
Norman Granz
alto saxophone:
Bud Shank (on 1956-08-21) and Maurice Stein (American jazz saxophonist) (on 1956-08-21)
baritone saxophone:
Chuck Gentry (on 1956-08-21)
bass:
Joe Mondragon (on 1956-08-21)
bass trombone:
George Roberts (american bass trombone) (on 1956-08-21)
drums (drum set):
Alvin Stoller (on 1956-08-21)
guitar:
Barney Kessel (on 1956-08-21)
piano:
Paul Smith (Paul Thatcher Smith, jazz pianist, composer, arranger and bandleader) (on 1956-08-21)
tenor saxophone:
Bob Cooper (US jazz saxophonist) (on 1956-08-21) and Ted Nash (40s-80s US swing reedman, uncle of the other) (on 1956-08-21)
trombone:
Milt Bernhart (on 1956-08-21), Joe Howard (american trombone player) (on 1956-08-21) and Lloyd Ulyate (on 1956-08-21)
trumpet:
Pete Candoli (on 1956-08-21), Maynard Ferguson (on 1956-08-21), Conrad Gozzo (on 1956-08-21) and Ray Linn (on 1956-08-21)
vocals:
Ella Fitzgerald (American jazz singer) (on 1956-08-21)
conductor:
Buddy Bregman (on 1956-08-21)
arranger:
Buddy Bregman
recorded at:
Capitol Studios, Studio A in Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, United States (on 1956-08-21)
cover recording of:
The Lady Is a Tramp (from “Babes in Arms”) (on 1956-08-21)
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
4.53:23
19Manhattan
engineer:
Val Valentin (on 1956-08-29)
producer:
Norman Granz
baritone saxophone, bass clarinet and bassoon:
Chuck Gentry (on 1956-08-29)
bass:
Joe Mondragon (from 1956-08-21 until 1956-08-31)
cello:
Robert La Marchina (US cellist and conductor) (on 1956-08-29) and Edgar Lustgarten (on 1956-08-29)
cor anglais [English horn] and oboe:
Arnold Koblentz (Oboe player) (on 1956-08-29)
drums (drum set):
Alvin Stoller (on 1956-08-29)
flute:
Ted Nash (40s-80s US swing reedman, uncle of the other) (on 1956-08-29), Bud Shank (on 1956-08-29) and Willie Schwartz (on 1956-08-29)
French horn:
Vince DeRosa (on 1956-08-29)
guitar:
Barney Kessel (on 1956-08-29)
percussion:
Milt Holland (on 1956-08-29)
piano:
Paul Smith (Paul Thatcher Smith, jazz pianist, composer, arranger and bandleader) (on 1956-08-29)
viola and violin:
[unknown] (Special Purpose Artist – Do not add releases here, if possible.) (on 1956-08-29)
vocals:
Ella Fitzgerald (American jazz singer) (on 1956-08-29)
conductor:
Buddy Bregman (on 1956-08-29)
arranger:
Buddy Bregman
concertmaster:
Misha Russell (on 1956-08-29)
recorded at:
Capitol Studios, Studio B in Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, United States (on 1956-08-29)
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 (Yamaha Music Entertainment Holdings, Inc., 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 (Warner/Chappell Music Japan K.K., Synch Division)
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]