Artist: Ella Fitzgerald Album: Ella Fitzgerald

Year: 1966
Duration: 54:17

A critical review of Ella Fitzgerald's self-titled album and her impact on jazz music

Ella Fitzgerald, known as the First Lady of Song, left an unforgettable impact on jazz music throughout her lifetime. Her self-titled album, released in 1962, showcases her immense vocal ability and her versatility as a performer. Today, we'll take a closer look at the history of Ella Fitzgerald, the music genre of this iconic album, her best songs, the most innovative parts, and my honest criticism of the album.

Ella Fitzgerald, born in 1917, started her music career in the 1930s with the Chick Webb Orchestra, and soon became a solo artist. She became known for her pure tone, scat singing and her ability to improvise. Though jazz music was already popular in the 60s, this album undoubtedly highlights Fitzgerald's journey to becoming one of the greatest jazz vocalists of all time.

The album consists of a mix of jazz standards and original compositions along with arrangements from Nelson Riddle and Frank DeVol. These seasoned arrangers brought out the best in Fitzgerald's voice, seamlessly pairing her with a big band sound. The album was recorded when Fitzgerald was turning 45 and her voice had already reached her peak; making it an utter delight to listen to her hit the high notes.

The songs that stand out on the Ella Fitzgerald album include, I'll See You in My Dreams and I've Got the World on a String. These songs define Fitzgerald's personality, showcasing her dynamic and diverse performance skills. The album also includes catchy melodies like A Fine Romance and The Way You Look Tonight.

One of the most innovative aspects of this album is Ella's scat singing. Scat singing involves improvising with meaningless syllables, creating a melody, and rhythm. Ella Fitzgerald was one of the pioneers of scat singing, and her skills are evident on this album, particularly in Blue Skies where she and a trumpet player have a scat off.

Despite its successes, the album receives criticism for the lack of instrumental solos; the album focuses more on Ella's vocals, which some listeners may find repetitive. The album also feels somewhat dated since it was recorded over 50 years ago.

All in all, the Ella Fitzgerald album is a masterpiece from one of the most talented vocalists of the 20th century. The album captures Fitzgerald's incredible range and her ability to perfectly fit in with the orchestration. It's a must-listen for anyone interested in jazz and the era of big bands. While the album isn't perfect, it is still a standout in Fitzgerald's career and a highlight of her impact on jazz music.

All in all, the Ella Fitzgerald album is a masterpiece from one of the most talented vocalists of the 20th century. The album captures Fitzgerald's incredible range and her ability to perfectly fit in with the orchestration. It's a must-listen for anyone interested in jazz and the era of big bands. While the album isn't perfect, it is still a standout in Fitzgerald's career and a highlight of her impact on jazz music.