Taken from a Jazz at the Philharmonic tour, Ella Fitzgerald is backed by pianist Oscar Peterson, guitarist Herb Ellis, bassist Ray Brown, and drummer Jo Jones on two well-rounded sets. Actually, the two dates are quite similar, with eight of the nine songs being repeated (although the second "Stompin' at the Savoy" and "Oh, Lady Be Good" find her backed by a riffing eight-horn all-star group), so this album is mostly recommended to her greatest fans. However, the music is wonderful, there are variations between the different versions, and her voice was at its prime. - by Scott Yanow, AMG
This album contains live tracks from two 1958 JATP concerts recorded a few weeks apart. Originally released on LP, it had a Chicago concert on one side and a Los Angeles concert on the other. Many of the same tunes are repeated, and it is interesting to hear how Ella sang in concert night after night. As per usual, Ella ends her set with an extended scat (Stompin' at the Savoy). In the LA concert, however, we get to hear an encore number -- Lady Be Good -- which is the highlight of the album. This is an excellent CD for both the casual and avid fan. - by a customer, Amazon.com
Artist: Ella Fitzgerald
Album: At the Opera House
Year: 1957
Label: Verve (1986)
Runtime: 59:17
Tracks:
1. It's All Right With Me (Cole Porter) 2:31
2. Don'cha Go 'Way Mad (Jimmy Mundy/Illinois Jacquet/Al Stillman) 2:42
3. Bewitched, Bothered, And Bewildered (Lorenz Hart/Richard Rodgers) 3:01
4. These Foolish Things (Jack Strachey/Harry Link/Holt Marvell) 3:45
5. Ill Wind (Harold Arlen/Ted Koehler) 2:47
6. Goody Goody (Johnny Mercer/Matt Malneck) 1:54
7. Moonlight In Vermont (Karl Suessdorf/John Blackburn) 3:05
8. Them There Eyes (Maceo Pinkard/Doris Tauber/William Tracey) 2:08
9. Stompin' At The Savoy (Benny Goodman/Edgar Sampson/Chick Webb/Andy Razaf) 5:14
10. It's All Right With Me (Cole Porter) 2:45
11. Don'cha Go 'Way Mad (Jimmy Mundy/Illinois Jacquet/Al Stillman) 2:31
12. Bewitched, Bothered, And Bewildered (Lorenz Hart/Richard Rodgers) 3:22
13. These Foolish Things (Jack Strachey/Harry Link/Holt Marvell) 3:49
14. Ill Wind (Harold Arlen/Ted Koehler) 2:53
15. Goody Goody (Johnny Mercer/Matt Malneck) 1:55
16. Moonlight In Vermont (Karl Suessdorf/John Blackburn) 3:16
17. Stompin' At The Savoy (Benny Goodman/Edgar Sampson/Chick Webb/Andy Razaf) 7:15
18. Oh, Lady Be Good (George Gershwin/Ira Gershwin) 4:24
Personnel:
Ella Fitzgerald (Vocals)
Oscar Peterson (Piano)
Ray Brown (Double Bass)
Herb Ellis (Guitar)
Jo Jones (Drums) - 1-16
Roy Eldridge (Trumpet) - 17,18
J.J. Johnson (Trombone) - 17,18
Sonny Stitt (Alto Saxophone) - 17,18
Lester Young (Tenor Saxophone) - 17,18
Illinois Jacquet (Tenor Saxophone) - 17,18
Coleman Hawkins (Tenor Saxophone) - 17,18
Stan Getz (Tenor Saxophone) - 17,18
Flip Phillips (Tenor Saxophone) - 17,18
Connie Kay (Drums) - 17,18