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List Price: $14.98 | | Label: Polygram Records
Salesrank: 3584
Released: October 25, 1990 |
| Our Price: $10.97 |
| Used Price: $9.49 |
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| Media: Audio CD |
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Ella in Rome: The Birthday Concert Track Listing:
1. Introduction [In Italian] - Norman Granz
2. St. Louis Blues [#]
3. These Foolish Things [#]
4. Just Squeeze Me (But Don't Tease Me) [#]
5. Angel Eyes [#]
6. That Old Black Magic [#]
7. Just One of Those Things [#]
8. I Loves You, Porgy [#]
9. It's All Right With Me [#]
10. I Can't Give You Anything But Love [#]
11. Introduction [In Italian] - Norman Granz
12. When You're Smiling (The Whole World Smiles With You) [#][*]
13. Foggy Day [#][*]
14. Midnight Sun [#]
15. Lady Is a Tramp [#][*]
16. Sophisticated Lady [#][*]
17. Caravan [#]
18. Stompin' at the Savoy [#]
Editorial Review:
This live recording captures an exceptional performance from 1958, with a broad selection of standards that digs into the Songbooks that Ella Fitzgerald was then immersed in. Duke Ellington is prominent in the repertoire, with versions of "Sophisticated Lady" and "Caravan," as well as the lesser-known "Just Squeeze Me." There are nods as well to George and Ira Gershwin, with "A Foggy Day" and "I Loves You, Porgy," and Cole Porter, with Fitzgerald soaring on "Just One of Those Things" and "It's All Right with Me." The accompaniment is both perfectly supportive and unobtrusive, with Ella's working trio of Lou Levy on piano, Max Bennett on bass, and Gus Johnson on drums supplying just what's needed on ballads and up-tempo swing tunes alike. The birthday party ends with Oscar Peterson, Ray Brown, and Herb Ellis joining Fitzgerald and Johnson for a high-spirited "Stompin' at the Savoy." --Stuart Broomer
Ella in Rome: The Birthday Concert Reviews:
Happy with Purchase 
2009-08-19 - I purchased this for a friend who does not have access to the Internet. He was quite happy with the quality and price.
If you ain't tappin your toes you are dead...
2008-03-29 - None better. This performance is by far my favorite in 15+ albums of Ella. Jump on it with both feet.
one of the better birthday partys i've been to. 
2007-08-27 - it's april 25, 1958. it's ella fitzgerald's 40th birthday party. in Rome. don't be a stick in the mud. make it on out. this is an excellent live recording. vibrant and spirited. fine sound quality. ella's extraordinary voice is, well, extraordinary throughout the set. full of grace, power, and charm. full of personality. don't miss out.
Life begins at forty !!!
2007-02-19 - Ella Fitzgerald performed live in Rome on what was actually her 41st birthday and this CD beautifully recreates the excitement and joy of her performance. The sound is very good and Ella's vocal range by 1958 had matured into a deeper and even more sensual sound than ever before. This live concert also allows us to hear audience responses to Ella as she sang; and it is a gift to hear Ella's strong rapport with her audience.
The CD begins with the happiest rendition of "St. Louis Blues" I've ever heard. Ella sings, scats and romps through this number which boasts an excellent musical arrangement. "These Foolish Things (Remind Me Of You)" follows the opening number; and Ella's voice imparts a special intimacy as she performs this romantic ballad. Ella does an excellent job with the melancholy "Angel Eyes" as well; the percussion arrangement with the piano played by Lou Levy enhances the haunting beauty of "Angel Eyes."
Ella delivers a rousing rendition of "That Old Black Magic" written by the incomparable Harold Arlen and Johnny Mercer. Ella sings of someone she loves so much that her head spins with the passion she feels for her beloved. "Just One Of Those Things," written by Cole Porter, offers Ella the chance to sing a rarely performed opening verse. Watch out after that verse, though--Ella dives straight into this number to give it a passionate feel that few singers ever could. "I Loves You Porgy" sports a beautiful arrangement as Ella delivers this with great sensitivity.
The first part of Ella's concert ends with a sublime jazz flavored rendition of "I Can't Give You Anything But Love" by Dorothy Fields and Jimmy McHugh. This remarkable number features Ella doing impressions of Rose Murphy's "Chi Chi" style and Ella works in a reference to Elvis, too! The best impression on this track, however, is Ella's impression of Louis Armstrong; and the audience goes wild when Ella does this so unexpectedly!
The second act of Ella's concert opens with "When You're Smiling (The Whole World Smiles With You)" written by Mark Fisher, Joe Goodwin and Larry Shay. The jazz arrangement stuns you with its potency and leaves you wanting more. You do get more, too: Ella performs "A Foggy Day" by George and Ira Gershwin; The Lady Is A Tramp" by Rodgers and Hart and "Sophisticated Lady," too.
The finale is guaranteed to blow you away. The Oscar Peterson Trio takes over to accompany Ella on a whopping, joyful rendition of "Stompin' At The Savoy." "Stompin' At The Savoy" begins rather traditionally but Ella and The Oscar Peterson Trio jam hard and strong. Listen for Oscar's piano incredible playing; and Ella scats amazingly well! This closes the CD on a strong note and the ecstatic audience reaction proves it.
The liner notes include the song credits and Phil Schaap contributes a fine essay about Ella as well. Congratulations to the Amazon reviewer who correctly notes that Ella turned 41, not 40, on the day of this concert. A simple Internet search proves it.
I could say that when they made Ella they broke the mold. The truth, however, is that there could never have been a mold good enough to make Ella. She gave us her best throughout her entire career; and her contributions to the arts will always deserve special merit and gratitude from the entire world over and over again. Ella fans will thrill to this CD and people who enjoy classic pop vocals performed with quality jazz arrangements will cheer as they listen to this album. If you like this album I recommend other Ella CDs including The Complete Ella in Berlin: Mack the Knife and The Stockholm Concert, 1966.
Stellar
2006-03-09 - A stellar Ella in Roma. Breathtaking as she displays her range to an awstruck audience whilst taking them for a visit to all the classics that make American Jazz the best in the world.
