Ella Fitzgerald Sings The Cole Porter Song Book

 

Too Darn Hot

Ella Fitzgerald Sings The Cole Porter Song Book

Verve Records MG V-4001-2

1956

From the inside cover: The road to the championship was not necessarily an easy one. Miss Fitzgerald was turned to singing by her innate shyness. As a slender, bewildered girl of 14, in 1934, she entered an amateur contest as a dancer but when the time came to dance she glanced down uncertainly at her spindly legs and announced she would sing instead, which she did. She sang a now-forgotten song entitled "Judy," winning not only the top prize of $25 but three encores as well. In the years that followed she earned her reputation, a nimble-voiced, imperturbable singer gifted with grace, precision and an immaculateness of tone along with the surest sense ever of what is, beyond question, right.

Also from the inside cover: Buddy Bergman, who conducted the orchestra, and wrote the arrangements for this album, has had a profitable association with the works of Cole Porter. Young Mr. Bregman – he is 25 – orchestrated the television version of Mr. Porter's "Anything Goes", starring Ethel Merman, in 1954 and for this – his first major TV assignment – he was nominated for an Emmy by the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences. Later, also on TV, Bergman arranged the music for still another Merman appearance, this one in "Panama Hattie," and later he handled similar duties for "Let's Face It," starring Vivian Blaine. Both "Panama Hattie" and "Let's Face It" are, of course, two of Mr. Porter's more eminent works. It was Mr. Bergman's aim to capture a Broadway flavor in this album – these being, after all, largely show tunes – but theatrically, in its best sense, was not his sole aim; basically he wanted to present Mr. Porter and Miss Fitzgerald at their best and to give each the very best background possible. In some instances, a full 35-piece band was employed, in others, merely a small unit or even a piano, all of this contributing to variety and interest and to a luminous showcasing of both the singer and her songs.

For all his youth, Mr. Bergman is recognized as one of the topflight men in his profession. A native of Chicago who moved on to California. Bergman has arranged and conducted the nation's foremost entertainers, including – to cite only a few – Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and Dinah Shore. He was musical director of the "Gary Crosby Show" on CBS and a number of others both on radio and TV. His most recent motion picture credit was "The Wild Party." – Don Freeman

From Billboard - June 2, 1956: Norman Granz's young Verve label should have its first real smash with this monumental issue. Thirty-two songs, the real cream of Porter, are done here as they never have been done before. The great thrush outdoes herself in every department – diction, phrasing and communication of lyrics. It's her best sound on disks, and quite possibly the best song selection she has had. The backing, arranged and conducted by Buddy Bergman, is varied but always simple, and swinging when it should be. It's a bonanza for jocks, for jazz fans and for the sophisticates to whom this Cole is "King." In other words, jazz shops, "class" shops, and plain record shops – stock up! Almost any track will serve as a demo, but for a swinger, try "It's Delovely." Heavy national promotion has been scheduled for this $9.00 seller.

Songs From Stage Shows

Ace In The Hole (Let's Face It - 1941)

All Of You (Silk Stockings - 1954)

All Through The Night (Anything Goes - 1934)

Always True To You In My Fashion (Kiss Me Kate - 1948)

Anything Goes (Anything Goes - 1934)

Begin The Beguine (Jubilee - 1935)

Do I Love You (DuBarry Was A Lady - 1939)

Ev'ry Time We Say Good-Bye (Seven Lively Arts - 1944)

From This Moment On (Out Of This World - 1951)

Get Out Of Town (Leave It To Me - 1938)

I Am In Love (Can Can - 1953)

I Get A Kick Out Of You (Anything Goes - 1934)

I Love Paris (Can Can - 1953)

It's All Right With Me (Can Can - 1953)

It's Delovely (Red, Hot And Blue - 1936)

Just One OF Those Things (Jubilee - 1935)

Let's Do It (Paris - 1928)

Love For Sale (The New Yorkers - 1930)

Night And Day (The Gay Divorce - 1932)

Ridin' High (Red, Hot And Blue - 1936)

So In Love (Kiss Me Kate - 1948)

Too Darn Hot (Kiss Me Kate - 1948)

What Is This Thing Called Love (Wake Up And Dream - 1929)

Why Can't You Behave (Kiss Me Kate - 1948)

You Do Something To Me (Fifty Million Frenchmen - 1929)

You're The Top (Anything Goes - 1943)

Songs From Motion Pictures

Don't Fence Me In (Hollywood Canteen - 1934)

Easy To Love (Born To Dance - 1936)

I Concentrate On You (Broadway Melody of 1940)

In The Still Of The Night (Rosalie - 1937)

I've Got You Under My Skin (Born To Dance - 1936)

Songs Not From Stage or Screen

Miss Otis Regrets (1934)