Ella Fitzgerald - The Complete Ella In Berlin: Mack The Knife - 1960 (1993)

×

Ella Fitzgerald - The Complete Ella In Berlin: Mack The Knife - 1960 (1993)

Close

Product Description: Ella Fitzgerald was at the peak of her form during her 1960 tour of Europe. Her Berlin concert is most remembered for her hilariously inventive version of "Mack the Knife," during which she forgot the words and substituted ones of her own that somehow fit, amazing herself in the process. In addition to the original LP program, this CD has two previously unissued titles and a pair of others only briefly released on a very rare LP. With fine support from her quartet (pianist Paul Smith, guitarist Jim Hall, bassist Wilfred Middlebrooks, and drummer Gus Johnson), Fitzgerald is brilliant throughout the well-rounded set, with highlights including "Misty" (a version very different from Sarah Vaughan's), "The Lady Is a Tramp," "Too Darn Hot," and a scat-filled "How High the Moon." This is essential music.

Recorded live at Deutschlandhallen, West Berlin, West Germany on February 13, 1960. Includes liner notes by Dan Morgenstern. The reissue of THE COMPLETE ELLA IN BERLIN… contains 4 tracks not included on the original release: "That Old Black Magic," "Our Love Is Here To Stay," "Love For Sale," and "Just One Of Thoses Things."

This LP is a classic. Ella Fitzgerald is heard at the peak of her powers during a Berlin concert that is famous for her unique version of "Mack the Knife"; when she forgot the words in mid-performance, she substituted spontaneous and remarkable lyrics of her own. All of the music (plus four other titles from the same concert) have been reissued on CD but, in one form or another, this music (which also includes a hot version of "How High the Moon") is essential for all serious jazz collections. ~ Scott Yanow

×

Ella Fitzgerald - The Complete Ella In Berlin: Mack The Knife - 1960 (1993)

Close

Review: Ella Fitzgerald never had a voice, she had an instrument which she used to her greatest potential. Together with the likes of Billie Holiday and Nina Simone, Ella was one of the greatest jazz singers to have graced the world. This recording is when she was at the zenith of her career and it is this album that contains the definitive recording of the great Gershwin song from Porgy and Bess - Summertime. Ella also sings Mack the Knife an unusual song for a woman and she explains that she had only recently learned the song. It is quickly apparent that she has not had enough time to learn the song and forgets the words therefore improvising lyrics on the spot. It is also very apparent that Ella loved to sing. She had great humour and enjoyed entertaining folk. If you have to own one Ella album then it should be this. This is her Something Kind of Blue. A classic album from a bygone era.

Note: Credit to sinziana, the original uploader.

×

Ella Fitzgerald - The Complete Ella In Berlin: Mack The Knife - 1960 (1993)

Close

×

Ella Fitzgerald - The Complete Ella In Berlin: Mack The Knife - 1960 (1993)

Close

×

Ella Fitzgerald - The Complete Ella In Berlin: Mack The Knife - 1960 (1993)

Close