Ella Fitzgerald – Sings The Cole Porter Song Book (180g Vinyl 2LP) * * *

Vital Vinyl Series 180g Vinyl 2LP Reissue!

Verve and Impulse! Records launch the new Vital Vinyl series with UMe, celebrating essential jazz LPs from the enduring catalogues of the two iconic labels. Throughout 2019, Verve and Impulse! will be making no fewer than 40 key albums from the 1950s, ’60s and ’70s available again on 180-gram vinyl. Each will feature their original cover artwork, track listings and liner notes. Some of these albums will become available for the first time in years, while others that are already in print will now be perennially available.

In February 1956 Ella Fitzgerald entered Capitol Studios in Hollywood to begin one of the most remarkable series of recordings in the history of modern music. Joining her was Norman Granz, the founder and guiding light behind Verve Records and his arranger and A&R man, 15-year-old Buddy Bregman. They were there to start work on Ella Fitzgerald Sings the Cole Porter Songbook, it was to be the first in a series of albums where Ella explored the Great American Songbook, songwriter by songwriter. The combination of Ella and Porter is irresistible and whether up-tempo or down-tempo, Ella’s three-octave range soars effortlessly as she makes each song come to life. All helped by the cream of L.A. session men and Bregman’s arrangement that ooze sophistication, sophistication that is way beyond his years. It is a perfect record.