Radio Years 1940

by Ella Fitzgerald

Overview

This CD from Denmark's Jazz Unlimited label spotlights NBC radio broadcasts of Ella Fitzgerald's performances at Savoy Ballroom in New York's Harlem section on January 22 and 25, 1940. At the time, a 22-year-old Fitzgerald was still leading the remnants of Chick Webb's orchestra, and she was still singing in a voice that was girlish and a bit nasal. The vocalist was huge in 1940, although her best work was yet to come. About half of the time, Fitzgerald lays out -- allowing the orchestra to do its thing on such exuberant instrumentals as "Limehouse Blues," "Diga Diga Doo," "Break 'Em Down," and "Traffic Jam." Fitzgerald's performances, meanwhile, are generally enjoyable -- she's in decent form on "Vagabond Dreams," "This Changing World," and "A Lover Is Blue," although a dumb, cornball novelty item like "I Want the Waiter With the Water" is unworthy of her talents. Much like Billie Holiday, Fitzgerald had the misfortune of being saddled with some unbearable novelty songs when she was starting out -- both singers, however, were able to abandon such schlock as their careers progressed. Thankfully, bad novelty items only account for a fraction of the material on this CD. Although not essential and not recommended to casual listeners, The Radio Years: 1940 is a generally likable disc that will interest historians and seasoned Fitzgerald aficionados. And the sound quality is quite good for 78-era recordings. ~ Alex Henderson

Product Details

Release Date:	01/01/1999
Label:	Jazz Unlimited / Storyville
UPC:	0717101206520
Rank:	236251

Tracks

1. A-Tisket, A-Tasket
2. A Lover Is Blue
3. Dodgin' the Dean
4. Tain't What You Do
5. Diga Diga Doo
6. Break 'Em Down
7. The Changing World
8. Limehouse Blues
9. What's the Matter With Me
10. Let's Get Together
11. A-Tisket, A-Tasket
12. Limehouse Blues
13. This Changing World
14. Oh Johnny, Oh Johnny, Oh!
15. Diga Diga Doo
16. Thank Your Stars
17. Take It from the Top
18. Vagabond Dreams
19. Break 'Em Down
20. Let's Get Together

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Ella Fitzgerald   Primary Artist,Vocals
Teddy McRae   Sax (Tenor),Sax (Baritone)
Roger "Ram" Ramirez   Piano
Hilton Jefferson   Sax (Alto)
Eddie Barefield   Clarinet,Sax (Alto)
John Trueheart   Guitar (Baritone)
Wayman Carver   Flute,Sax (Alto),Sax (Tenor)
Sandy Williams   Trombone
Dick Vance   Vocals,Trumpet
Beverly Peer   Bass
Bill Beason   Drums (Snare)
Taft Jordan   Vocals,Trumpet
George Matthews   Trombone

Technical Credits

Doc Daugherty   Composer
Terry Shand   Composer
Sy Oliver   Composer
Van Alexander   Composer
Jimmy Mundy   Composer
Irving Mills   Composer
Dorothy Fields   Composer
Philip Braham   Composer
Kay Werner   Composer
Abe Olman   Composer
Abner Silver   Composer
Charles Carpenter   Composer
Jack Lawrence   Composer
Chick Webb   Composer
Larry Clinton   Composer
Ed Rose   Composer
Douglas Furber   Composer
Edgar Sampson   Arranger,Composer
Ella Fitzgerald   Composer
Wayman Carver   Arranger
Sam M. Lewis   Composer
Dick Vance   Arranger
Sue Werner   Composer
Artie Shaw   Composer
Al J. Neiburg   Composer
Harold Adamson   Composer
Dana Suesse   Composer
Trummy Young   Composer
Hoagy Carmichael   Composer
Jimmy McHugh   Composer
Teddy McRae   Composer