Artist: Ella Fitzgerald Album: Ella Wishes You a Swinging Christmas

Year: 1960
Duration: 0:0-1

Ella Wishes You a Swinging Christmas: A Critical Review of the Holiday Classic by Ella Fitzgerald

The holiday season is the perfect time to indulge in some good music, and Ella Wishes You a Swinging Christmas by Ella Fitzgerald is one album that deserves a spot on your playlist. Released in 1960, it is a classic that has stood the test of time. In this blog post, we'll take a closer look at the album, the history of the artist, the music genre, the best songs, and the most innovative parts. Let's dive in!

A Brief History of the Artist

Ella Fitzgerald was born in Newport News, Virginia, in 1917. She was one of the most celebrated jazz singers of the 20th century, known for her impeccable phrasing, intonation, and scat singing. She got her start as a teenager performing in various talent shows and later went on to perform with the Chick Webb Orchestra, where she recorded her first hit single, A-Tisket, A-Tasket. Over the following years, she released numerous albums and became an icon in the music industry, earning 13 Grammy Awards over her career.

The Music Genre of the Album

Ella Wishes You a Swinging Christmas is a jazz album with a mix of classic holiday tunes and original tracks. The album has a swing feel to it, with Fitzgerald's smooth vocals and the upbeat melodies of the songs. Additionally, the album features arrangements by Frank DeVol, who was a famous composer and arranger at the time, and that gave the album a classic sound that still resonates with listeners today.

The Best Songs of the Album

The album features many classic holiday tunes, including Jingle Bells, Winter Wonderland, and Silent Night. However, the standout tracks on the album are Santa Claus Is Coming to Town and Sleigh Ride. Fitzgerald's rendition of Santa Claus Is Coming to Town has a fast-paced rhythm that puts a new spin on the classic song, and Sleigh Ride is just as lively and upbeat. These two songs are definite highlights of the album and showcase Fitzgerald's ability to make a standard holiday song sound fresh.

The Most Innovative Parts

The Most Innovative Parts

The most innovative parts of the album are the original tracks, The Secret of Christmas and Christmas Island. These tracks are original compositions that have now become holiday classics in their own right. The Secret of Christmas has a warm, hopeful feeling to it that is perfect for the holiday season, while Christmas Island has a playful, whimsical sound that brings to life the magic of the season.

A Critic to the Album

While Ella Wishes You a Swinging Christmas is an excellent album, one criticism is that it does not have as much diversity as some of Fitzgerald's other albums. The album's focus on holiday tunes makes it a bit predictable, and although her performance on the classic songs is impressive, it doesn't showcase her full range of abilities as a singer. Nevertheless, the album is still a great listen and has stood the test of time as a classic holiday album.

Ella Wishes You a Swinging Christmas is a timeless classic that has become a staple of the holiday season. It features excellent performances by one of the greatest jazz singers of all time and has a sound that feels both classic and fresh. While it may not showcase all of Fitzgerald's abilities as a singer, it's certainly a must-listen for anyone who loves jazz and holiday music. Add it to your playlist, and enjoy!