Artist: Ella Fitzgerald Album: Whisper Not

Year: 1966
Duration: 0:0-1

Whisper Not: A Critical Review of Ella Fitzgerald's Album

Ella Fitzgerald was a jazz singer and a prominent figure in the music industry during the 20th century. Her career spanned more than 50 years, and she created numerous iconic records that still capture the attention of jazz enthusiasts today. One of her most exceptional albums is Whisper Not, which saw its release in 1966. In this blog post, we'll take a critical look at this unforgettable album of Ella Fitzgerald, exploring its history, genre, best songs, and most innovative parts.

Whisper Not sees Ella Fitzgerald's unique style mixing with jazz, becoming a perfect showcase of her talents as a singer and an interpreter. The album offers a blend of swing, cool jazz, and pop that do a decent job of showcasing her versatility across different music styles. It also features sounds from a large band and other rhythm instruments, which add depth and interest to the album.

One of the most famous songs on the album is Sweet Georgia Brown. It is an upbeat tune that swings hard, with Ella's comfortable scatting and intricate vocal gymnastics throughout the song. The opening track of the album, Sweet and Lovely, is another of the most memorable songs on this album, as Ella purrs and slinks through the ballad with utter brilliance.

Throughout the album, Fitzgerald showcases her emotional depth with dazzling clarity. The way she croons and coos in September Song, or the way she belts out I Love Paris, cement the reason for her greatness. Her vibrato style is also worth noting, and in Thanks for the Memory, it soars above the sounds of swinging brass.

Apart from the remarkable performances from Ella Fitzgerald, Whisper Not has some of the industry's most high-quality instrumental solos. The version of I Said No features a captivating saxophone solo that seamlessly blends with the rich sound of the piano. And in That Old Black Magic, Duke Ellington's arrangement is such that it highlights the range and mastery of Fitzgerald, elevating her performance to the highest levels.

As much as Whisper Not is a revelation, it still has some flaws. The album could have done better in putting together the right sequence of songs. The way Misty follows That Old Black Magic seems to interrupt the album's continuity, even though both songs are incredible on their own. The song selection seems scrambled, but it does not take much away from the album's overall quality.

The Whisper Not album is a showcase of pure musical excellence, featuring the best of Ella Fitzgerald's talents as a jazz singer and performer. Her emotional depth, vibrato style, and intuitive understanding of lavish arrangements, all come together in a brilliant tour de force performance. The most exceptional parts of the Whisper Not album make it a must-listen record for any jazz enthusiast, despite some minor criticisms. Ella Fitzgerald's Whisper Not proves she is one of the greatest singers that ever lived.