Ella Wishes You a Swinging Christmas

by Ella Fitzgerald

Overview

This is a delightful Christmas jazz reissue featuring Ella Fitzgerald in prime form. On most selections she is backed by Frank DeVol's orchestra. The original dozen selections have been expanded with the addition of three alternate takes plus three selections only out previously on samplers, including "Christmas Island." Fitzgerald clearly had a fun time recording such songs as "Jingle Bells," "Santa Claus Is Coming to Town," "Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer," and "Frosty the Snowman," along with a few more serious pieces. These concise performances (all under four minutes) are charming, making this one of the better Christmas jazz sets. ~ Scott Yanow

Product Details

Release Date:	10/29/2002
Label:	Verve / Decca / Verve Master Edition
UPC:	0044006508627
Rank:	32915

Tracks

1. Jingle Bells
2. Santa Claus Is Coming to Town
3. Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas
4. What Are You Doing New Year's Eve?
5. Sleigh Ride
6. The Christmas Song
7. Good Morning Blues
8. Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!
9. Winter Wonderland
10. Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer
11. Frosty the Snowman
12. White Christmas
13. The Secret of Christmas
14. Medley: We Three Kings of Orient Are/O Little Town of Bethlehem
15. Christmas Island
16. The Christmas Song
17. White Christmas
18. Frosty the Snowman

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Ella Fitzgerald   Primary Artist,Vocals
Frank DeVol Orchestra   Primary Artist,Ensemble,Orchestra
Frank DeVol   Primary Artist,Conductor
The Russell Garcia Orchestra   Primary Artist
Frank DeVol & His Orchestra   Primary Artist,Orchestra

Technical Credits

Irving Berlin   Composer
Jack Rollins   Composer
Count Basie   Composer
Eddie Durham   Composer
James Pierpont   Composer
Lyle Moraine   Composer
Dennis Drake   Digital Remastering
Richard Seidel   Preparation,CD Preparation
Val Valentin   Recording
Jule Styne   Composer
James Van Heusen   Composer
Phillip Brooks   Composer
Phil Schaap   Research,Tape Vault Research
Mel Torme   Composer
Norman Granz   Producer
Mitchell Parish   Composer
Haven Gillespie   Composer
Leroy Anderson   Composer
Frank DeVol   Composer,Recording Arranger
Felix Bernard   Composer
John Henry Hopkins, Jr.   Composer
Ralph Blane   Composer
Dick Smith   Composer
Sammy Cahn   Composer
Seth Rothstein   Preparation,CD Preparation
Francis Paudras   Photography
Lewis Redner   Composer
Anita Paudras   Cover Photo,Photography
Richard B. Smith   Composer
John Larkin H. Hopkins   Composer
Walter Rollins   Composer
Frank Loesser   Composer
Robert Wells   Composer
Herman Leonard   Cover Photo,Photography
Chris Thompson   Design,Art Direction
J. Fred Coots   Composer
Jimmy Rushing   Composer
Hugh Martin   Composer
Steve Nelson   Composer
Traditional   Composer
Johnny Marks   Composer

Editorial Reviews

Ella Fitzgerald was always able to breathe new life into the most standard of standards. So it's no surprise to find her putting a fresh twist on the well-honed seasonal favorites. Singing soft or swinging hard, Fitzgerald fluffs up "Frosty the Snowman" and heats up Count Basie's "Good Morning Blues." This recording can stand proudly alongside Ella's other classic Verve sides.

barnesandnoble.com

This audiophile CD reissue of Ella Fitzgerald's Christmas record (originally on Verve) brings back a lightweight but enjoyable set of Christmas cheer. Fitzgerald, backed by an orchestra conducted by Frank DeVol and an occasional vocal group, seems to have a good time on straightforward versions of such songs as "Jingle Bells," "Santa Claus Is Coming to Town," "Winter Wonderland" and "Frosty the Snowman." No surprises occur but the music is certainly joyful. --All-Music Guide

Scott Yanow