These Are the Blues

by Ella Fitzgerald

Overview

Ella Fitzgerald was never thought of as a blues singer but she does a surprisingly effective job on the ten blues songs here, including "See See Rider," "Trouble in Mind," "St. Louis Blues," and Bessie Smith's "Jailhouse Blues." She somehow sings more or less in the style of the classic blues vocalists of the 1920s and largely pulls it off. Trumpeter Roy Eldridge, who has few solos and is low in the mix, is largely wasted, as organist Wild Bill Davis (with assistance from guitarist Herb Ellis, bassist Ray Brown, and drummer Gus Johnson) dominate the ensembles. It's an interesting set. ~ Scott Yanow

Product Details

Release Date:	10/25/1990
Label:	Verve
UPC:	0042282953629
Rank:	90349

Tracks

1. Jail House Blues
2. In the Evening (When the Sun Goes Down)
3. See, See Rider
4. You Don't Know My Mind
5. Trouble in Mind
6. How Long, How Long Blues
7. Cherry Red
8. Downhearted Blues
9. St. Louis Blues
10. Hear Me Talkin' to Ya

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Ella Fitzgerald   Primary Artist,Vocals
Gus Johnson   Guest Artist,Drums
Herb Ellis   Guest Artist,Guitar
Ray Brown   Guest Artist,Bass
Wild Bill Davis   Guest Artist,Organ
Roy Eldridge   Guest Artist,Trumpet

Technical Credits

Ma Rainey   Composer
Don Raye   Composer
W.C. Handy   Composer
Joe Turner   Composer
Louis Armstrong   Composer
Dennis Drake   Remixing
Lovie Austin   Composer
Alberta Hunter   Composer
Gertrude Rainey   Composer
Richard M. Jones   Composer
Norman Granz   Producer
Henry Gray   Composer
Clarence Williams   Composer
Virginia Liston   Composer
Leroy Carr   Composer
Huddie Ledbetter   Composer
Pete Johnson   Composer
Janis Joplin   Composer
Joe Lynn Turner   Composer
Big Joe Turner   Composer
Bessie Smith   Composer
Traditional   Composer