The Queen Of Jazz in a glorious jazz/blues movie soundtrack.
Ella Fitzgerald Sings Songs From Let No Man Write My Epitaph – Verve Records MG VS-64043 (1960)/Universal Music Group B0037369-01 Acoustic Sounds Series 180-gram stereo vinyl, 41:58 ****1/2:
(Ella Fitzgerald – vocals; Paul Smith – piano)
When the name Ella Fitzgerald is mentioned, most recall her big band gravitas, scat singing and the transformative hit, “A-Tisket A-Tasket”. Her versatility included virtuoso performances of The Great American Songbook, television and movie appearances. Thirteen Grammys and countless other awards are a permanent part of Fitzgerald’s legacy. Various musical icons have collaborated with her. The catalog with Verve Records is considered among her finest work. One of these efforts is Ella Fitzgerald Sings Songs From Let No Man Write My Epitaph. With just a simple piano accompaniment (Paul Smith), she made jazzy interpretative singing another element of her artistry and success.
Universal Music Group has released a re-mastered 180-gram vinyl (part of the Acoustic Sound Series) of the 1960 soundtrack recording. Side One opens with “Black Coffee”. This jazz staple has been recorded by many performers like Sarah Vaughan, Peggy Lee, Ray Charles and Julie London, among many others. Fitzgerald eases into the bluesy chords laid down by Smith. Her precise elocution and vocal flexibility is formidable, especially in the higher register. She injects jazzy accents. “Angel Eyes” is another movie song that has become a jazz standard. Ella’s relaxed, soulful delivery is excellent, and her improvisational approach to the second verse and last note falsetto makes this cover shine. This singer can intermingle melancholy with tenderness. “I Cried For You” has a touch of vibrato and hushed tonality. The bluesy intonation is compelling. The mood changes on “I Can’t Give You Anything But Love” as the translation is sultry and has occasional lilting moments. Fitzgerald’s capacity for romantic storytelling is prevalent on “Then You’ve Never Been Blue” and “I Hadn’t Anyone Till You” (with those signature vocal trills). “My Melancholy Baby” has been a pop standard that many jazz artists like to perform. Ella Fitzgerald deliberate pace and exact phrasing are an ideal vehicle for this composition.
Errol Garner’s eternal classic, “Misty” has become a staple for jazz pianists and singers alike. There are too many covers to enumerate. Ella’s gentle, sensitive cover reflects the inherent whimsy of this sentimental piece. Her vocal modulation and restrained interpretation is infused unique shading. When this singer takes on any song, it seems that it was written explicitly for her. On the nostalgic favorite, “The September Song”, Ella caresses the tenderness and adds subtlety to the vocals. Back to blues, “One For My Baby (And One More For The Road)” moves at a slow-burning pace. This cover is easily on par with Sinatra’s. After another dulcet Smith intro, “Who’s Sorry Now” is voiced as a bittersweet reverie. Tommy Dorsey’s theme song (“I’m Getting Sentimental Over You”) is slowed down for dramatic effect. The finale, “Reach For Tomorrow” exudes a wistful resonance.
This is another valuable addition to the Acoustic Sounds Series. The re-mastered sound mix (Ryan Smith/Sterling Sound) captures the deep tones and both upper and lower register nuances of Fitzgerald’s voice.
—Robbie Gerson
Songs from “Let No Man Write My Epitaph”
TrackList:
Side One: Black Coffee; Angel Eyes; I Cried For You; I Can’t Give You Anything But Love; Then You’ve Never Been Blue; I Hadn’t Anyone Till You; My Melancholy Baby
Side Two: Misty; September Song; One For My Baby (And One More For The Road); Who’s Sorry Now; I’m Getting Sentimental Over You; Reach For Tomorrow
More information through Acoustic Sounds
From the Acoustic Sound Series, a re-mastered Vinyl Release: Ella Fitzgerald Sings Songs from the soundtrack of “Let No Man Write My Epitaph”. Jazz Music Review by Robbie Gerson.
