Ella Fitzgerald: Like Someone In Love

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At her sublime peak in the 50s, Ella was increasingly busy as she slogged through the marathon songbook projects. In October 1957 she completed The Duke Ellington Songbook, and in the same month, with the Frank DeVol Orchestra, recorded over two sessions the easy-swinging ballads originally released on the LP Like Someone In Love, with some tracks appearing on a second LP, Hello Love.

These albums were produced with the general popular music market in mind rather than the dedicated jazz follower. However, as everyone knew, Ella could always swing along effortlessly in any setting. And as a bonus for jazz listeners, Stan Getz is heard, with regrettably brief backing fills, on a few tracks. Supple and melodic, his sensitive phrasing complements Ella’s silken voice to perfection.

As a welcome bonus closing track, there’s a delightful Getz quartet instrumental version of the title track from his 1956 album The Steamer

Considering her heavy workload Ella sounds remarkably relaxed and expressive, sailing serenely over the lush orchestral backing with faultless pitching and dynamics, her caressing tonal inflections enhancing the lyrics. Familiar standards rub shoulders with less well-known tunes, all of which sound good when Ella sings them.

This welcome reissue captures a uniquely talented vocalist at her incomparable best.

Discography
(1) There’s A Lull In My Life; More Than You Know; What Will I Tell My Heart?; I Never Had A Chance; Close Your Eyes; We’ll Be Together Again; Then I’ll Be Tired Of You; Like Someone In Love; Midnight Sun; I Thought About You; You’re Blasé; (2) Night Wind; What’s New?; Hurry Home; How Long Has This Been Going On?; (3) I’ll Never Be The Same; Lost In A Fog; Everything Happens To Me; So Rare; (4) Like Someone In Love (76.51)
Fitzgerald (v) on all tracks except last with:
(1) Frank DeVol Orchestrafeaturing Stan Getz (ts) and Ted Nash (as). From original LP, Like Someone In Love, LA, 15 October 1957.
(2) as (1) 28 October 1957.
(3) as (2) except originally issued on LP Hello Love.
(4) Getz (ts); Lou Levy (p); Leroy Vinnegar (b); Stan Levey (d) LA, 24 November 1956.
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