The Best Of The First Lady Of Song

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The Best Of The First Lady Of Song album cover
Album Information

Total Tracks: 16   Total Length: 58:39

eMusic Features

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Icon: Ella Fitzgerald

By Will Friedwald, eMusic Contributor

"Man, woman, or child, Ella is the most!" Bing Crosby's much-quoted praise of Ella Fitzgerald is suspiciously similar to Duke Ellington's equally famous observation that Fitzgerald was "beyond category." They were both right: Fitzgerald was much greater than any other jazz singer or any other female singer; over the course of a career that lasted 60 years, she consistently transcended genre, gender and just about everything else. How amazing is it that Fitzgerald was unquestionably… more »

They Say All Music Guide

Comprising 16 of the 51 tracks (one-third) from the original First Lady of Song three-CD collection, this edited single disc is for those disinclined to purchase the full set or complete works. It might be advisable first to search for any full album sides of specific sessions or tributes to composers that Ella Fitzgerald had done, but this smaller compilation does contain some of her better songs, falling short of an essential greatest-hits or best-of effort. Such all-time classics as “Can’t We Be Friends?,” “Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered,” “Just A-Sittin’ and A-Rockin’,” “Baby, Don’t You Go ‘Way Mad,” “I Won’t Dance,” and “Don’t Be That Way” are definitive Ella, and are included. The bargain hunter in you might find this at a good price, but saving up for the larger sets should be your aim. – Michael G. Nastos

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