Studio: Jazz Icons/Reelin’ in the Years DVWW-JIEF
Video: 4:3 B&W
Audio: Dolby Digital mono
Length: 56 min.
Rating: ****1/2
(Artists: (1957): Ella Fitzgerald, vocals; Ray Brown, bass; Jo Jones, drums; Oscar Peterson and Don Abney, piano; Roy Eldridge, trumpet (on It Don’t Mean a Thing) (1963): Ella Fitzgerald, vocals; Tommy Flanagan, piano; Les Spann, guitar; Jimmy Hughart, bass; Gus Johnson, drums)
What makes the Ella Fitzgerald entry in the nine DVD series of Jazz Icons very special is the fact that the DVD is comprised of two separate concerts-in Belgium in 1957 and in Sweden in 1963. The 1957 concert is reportedly the first complete concert recorded by Ella for video as prior videos have her only performing a few songs at a time.
The Belgium date features a dream rhythm section of Oscar Peterson and Don Abney on piano, the incomparable Ray Brown on bass, Herb Ellis on guitar, and Count Basie’s drummer, Jo Jones. The Belgium video is clear with few flaws and Ella’s vocals have very few dropouts. The European audience is rapturous. An added bonus is the appearance of Roy Eldridge on trumpet on Ellington’s It Don’t Mean a Thing. The 1957 session also features classic renditions of Love for Sale, April in Paris, Lullabye of Birdland, and Angel Eyes.
The second date on the DVD is a studio performance from Sweden in 1963 that is more intimate and features Ella’s quartet from this period highlighting her brilliant accompanist, pianist Tommy Flanagan.
Showing Jazz Icon’s eye for detail, they include a 16 page booklet, which features liner notes by Will Friedwald, as well as a unique foreward by Ella’s son, Ray Brown, Jr. Rare photos and memorabilia from Ella’s career complete this archival quality DVD. It is a definite “must” for Fitzgerald fans.
— Jeff Krow
