| FEATURED RECORDING
JUNE 2008
Well, it's getting to be summer, and it's plenty hot here in the L.A. area; I noticed that I've been going around singing Irving Berlin's classic "We're Having a Heat Wave", from the 1933 musical "As Thousands Cheer". So I looked around my collection of Ella Fitzgerald recordings, and sure enough, I found Ella's version in this month's featured album:
ELLA FITZGERALD SINGS
THE IRVING BERLIN SONGBOOK
A 2 cd set, originally released on Verve in 1958, and now available in a re-released version that came out in 2000.
 Irving Berlin was one of America's quintessential songwriters, known for his easy melodies and sharp lyrics, and we all know that no one - I mean NO ONE - can sing a lyric like Ella, so if you really want to hear and enjoy Berlin's charming songs, get the Songbook!
It was recorded here in L.A. in March, 1958, with lavish arrangements by Paul Weston, who also conducted the orchestra which included Paul Smith and Harry "Sweets" Edison among others. Of course, the wise and wonderful Norman Granz chose the songs and produced.
I'm a major fan of American Musical Theater, so naturally, I love Ella's Songbook albums - this one contains some of Berlin's great show-stopping tunes delivered by America's most versatile and beloved singer. What's not to love about such favorites as "Puttin' On the Ritz", "How Deep is the Ocean" and (how could I leave this out) "Cheek to Cheek".
Click here to purchase this recording now through amazon.com
(and remember, a portion of every sale goes to benefit the Foundation)
So tell me what YOU thing of Ella Sings the Irving Berlin Songbook, or let me know your favorite Ella Fitzgerald record by clicking here.
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