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Thread: Album Club, September 2017: Ella Fitzgerald - 'Fine and Mellow'

  1. #1
    Join Date: Feb 2013

    Location: Land of the Lilac Curtains, UK

    Posts: 286
    I'm Curator.

    Default Album Club, September 2017: Ella Fitzgerald - 'Fine and Mellow'

    The Album Club choice for September come courtesy of Martin (high.spirits) with Ella Fitzgerald's 'Fine and Mellow'. As always, please listen to the album in its entirety before you comment and/or vote.



    Ella Fitzgerald - Fine and Mellow



    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ella_Fitzgerald

    I thought I would go back in time with a bit of a classic.

    I first listened to this album while auditioning some HiFi equipment way back. I went straight out and bought the LP.

    I was taken by the production quality and sound stage, how all the instruments and vocals were clearly defined. I still play this album late at night with a good malt!

    Fine and Mellow is a 1974 studio album by Ella Fitzgerald, accompanied by many famous jazz musicians.

    It opens with the title track written by Billie Holiday. The album is subtitled Ella Fitzgerald Jams, and represents a return to the informal 'jam sessions' that Fitzgerald sang in on the Jazz at the Philharmonic Concerts concerts in the 1940s and 1950s.

    Her performance on this album won her the 1980 Grammy Award for Best Vocal Jazz Performance.

    You Tube :


    Spotify:
    https://open.spotify.com/album/1vJfO7RbSk7Ck57cxpcfHm

  2. #2
    Join Date: Jul 2011

    Location: Northamptonshire

    Posts: 1,914
    I'm Peter.

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    Nice choice ... some jazz for a change

    Ella at 57, when she still had her voice. Top flight accompanists, but not given much airtime or many challenges. Liked the scat on Ellington's Rockin' in Rhythm, which had a bit of space for Tommy and Zoot to do their thing. Monk's 'Round Midnight is the most recorded jazz standard written by a jazz musician (according to Wikipedia), but I haven't often heard the vocal version, which I enjoyed here. Sorry, not keen on the first track, just a standard 12 bar blues, with nothing to interest me after the first few bars .. should have been the last track imo. Ella, as always, can do no wrong, and this would be a 9/10 for any other artist ... but, in the context of her awesome discography, maybe a 7/10?

    Thanks, Martin, for bringing this to my attention.

  3. #3
    Join Date: Mar 2016

    Location: Barnet, london UK

    Posts: 2,146
    I'm Adam.

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    yup good choice...
    Peter, Great Version of 'Round Midnight' on Ella's 'Clap Hands Here comes charlie' LP
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l9mWyGcnOmU
    "lack of passion is fatal"


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  4. #4
    Join Date: Feb 2013

    Location: W Lothian

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    I'm Grant.

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    Being an Ella fiend I know this album and listened recently. Top class album, and all tracks are a decent length. Joe pass on guitar too. 8/10 from me as her cover of Billy's title song is excellent.
    Regards,
    Grant .... ؠ ......Don't be such a big girl's blouse

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  5. #5
    Join Date: May 2013

    Location: Milton Keynes

    Posts: 387
    I'm Martin.

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    As it was my choice I thought I had better vote 9/10.
    Hopefully a few more votes will come in due course.
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  6. #6
    Join Date: Jan 2009

    Location: Essex

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    I'm openingabottleofwine.

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    Bloody brilliant! It's not often I do this with an Album Club choice, but I've just ordered myself a copy!

    Nice one Martin. 9/10 from me.
    Barry

  7. #7
    Join Date: May 2013

    Location: Milton Keynes

    Posts: 387
    I'm Martin.

    Talking

    Quote Originally Posted by Barry View Post
    Bloody brilliant! It's not often I do this with an Album Club choice, but I've just ordered myself a copy!

    Nice one Martin. 9/10 from me.
    Glad you enjoyed it
    GyroDec 2M Black, Amplification: Luxman 505ux.
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  8. #8
    Join Date: May 2013

    Location: Milton Keynes

    Posts: 387
    I'm Martin.

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    Quote Originally Posted by petrat View Post
    Nice choice ... some jazz for a change

    Ella at 57, when she still had her voice. Top flight accompanists, but not given much airtime or many challenges. Liked the scat on Ellington's Rockin' in Rhythm, which had a bit of space for Tommy and Zoot to do their thing. Monk's 'Round Midnight is the most recorded jazz standard written by a jazz musician (according to Wikipedia), but I haven't often heard the vocal version, which I enjoyed here. Sorry, not keen on the first track, just a standard 12 bar blues, with nothing to interest me after the first few bars .. should have been the last track imo. Ella, as always, can do no wrong, and this would be a 9/10 for any other artist ... but, in the context of her awesome discography, maybe a 7/10?

    Thanks, Martin, for bringing this to my attention.
    Your old 2M Black is still going strong Peter, thanks....
    GyroDec 2M Black, Amplification: Luxman 505ux.
    Loudspeakers: Harbeth HL-K6

    Quad 99 CD, Amplifier: Teac A H 500i, Loudspeakers: SCM11

    Receiver: Teac CR H500, Loudspeakers: B&W CDM 1NT

  9. #9
    Join Date: May 2015

    Location: St Leonard's on Sea

    Posts: 1,136
    I'm Loz.

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    I listened to this on the train going up to London. Really enjoyed it. When I eventually get my things out of boxes I will give it a proper listen. Nice choice. 8/10 from me.

  10. #10
    Join Date: May 2013

    Location: Milton Keynes

    Posts: 387
    I'm Martin.

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    Quote Originally Posted by HackneyRF View Post
    I listened to this on the train going up to London. Really enjoyed it. When I eventually get my things out of boxes I will give it a proper listen. Nice choice. 8/10 from me.
    Like your Guzzi engine pic.
    GyroDec 2M Black, Amplification: Luxman 505ux.
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