Compiled and manufactured by Universal in the EC, this triple-disc box collects 60 of Ella Fitzgerald's best-known recordings made for Verve and Decca during her long career. While not big on serious notes for the collector, this is for the music fan who doesn’t give a whit about critical platitudes, but is far more interested in music -- and lots of it. The early sides such as “Love and Kisses” and the original version of “A Tisket A Tasket,” as well as “Oh, Lady Be Good” on disc one, are underscored by signature readings of “Bewitched,” “Let’s Face the Music and Dance,” the irony and fingerpoppin’ swing in “The Lady Is aTramp,” and deeply rendered ballads like “Blue Moon,” and “An Empty Ballroom" on disc two. The final disc contains the truly legendary performances of “Being the Beguine,” “Dancing on the Ceiling,” “Summertime,” “I Got It Bad and That Ain’t Good" (with Duke Ellington), and of course, “It’s Only a Paper Moon.” These are just a few of the tracks in this treasure trove that was compiled aesthetically rather than chronologically. The music has been remastered and sounds terrific. By not wasting a lot of time and money on packaging, this set is very attractively priced, making it all but indispensable for any fan of Fitzgerald’s, not just the connoisseur. Thom Jurek.
Disc 1: Love and Kisses (If You Can't Sing It) You'll Have to Swing It (Mr Paganini) A-Tisket, a-Tasket Flying Home Oh, Lady Be Good Imagination You Leave Me Breathless Until the Real Thing Comes Along How High the Moon Miss Otis Regrets It Never Entered My Mind I Love Paris Russian Lullaby What Is This Thing Called Love I've Got You Under My Skin Little Girl Blue Love for Sale Stone Cold Dead in the Market Baby, It's Cold Outside I’Ve Got You Under My Skin
Disc 2: Bewitched You're the Top Ev’Ry Time We Say Goodbye My Heart Stood Still I Didn't Know What Time It Was Johnny One Note Let’S Face the Music and Dance Cheek to Cheek The Lady Is a Tramp I’Ve Got a Crush On You Puttin' On the Ritz Night and Day Blue Skies All By Myself Isn't This a Lovely Day? Blue Moon You Do Something to Me I’Ve Got the World On a String An Empty Ballroom Blues Tenderly
Disc 3: My One and Only Love Dancing On the Ceiling Dream a Little Dream of Me Black Coffee Begin the Beguine All of You Nice Work If You Can Get It Undecided Summertime Under a Blanket of Blue But Not for Me Moonlight in Vermont April in Paris My Funny Valentine With a Song in My Heart Stardust Let’S Do It (Let’S Fall in Love) I Got It Bad and That Ain’T Good It’S Only a Paper Moon Solitude