Ella Fitzgerald Ella Wishes You A Swinging Christmas CD

Digipak. W/ 6 Bonus Tracks.

Personnel: Ella Fitzgerald (vocals); Frank DeVol And His Orchestra.
Recorded at Columbia Recording Studios, New York on July 15 & 16, 1960 and Radio Recorders, Hollywood, California on August 5, 1960.
Personnel: Ella Fitzgerald (vocals).
Liner Note Author: Will Friedwald.
Recording information: Columbia Recording Studios, New York, NY (09/03/1959-08/05/1960); Radio Recorders, Hollywood, CA (09/03/1959-08/05/1960); United Recorders, Hollywood, CA (09/03/1959-08/05/1960).
Editor: Peter Pullman.
Arranger: Frank de Vol.
Originally released in 1960 as A Swinging Christmas, this album is representative of Fitzgerald's Verve label career. ~ David A. Milberg
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. ~ Scott Yanow
ELLA FITZGERALD WISHES YOU A SWINGING CHRISTMAS is a charming, warmly humorous--and yes, swinging--set of classic Christmas tunes. The program is familiar, from bouncy singalongs like "Jingle Bells" to slinky ballads like a downright sexy "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas," but Fitzgerald treats each song with exactly as much respect as it deserves. And so Frank Loesser's "What Are You Doing New Year's Eve" is wistfully romantic and Sammy Cahn and Jule Styne's "Let It Snow" is kittenishly enticing. As always, Norman Granz's production avoids the schlock that drowns some holiday sets. This is as good as jazz Christmas albums get.
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