ELLA FITZGERALD - Live At Chautauqua Volume One
Dot Time Records DT8001
Ella Fitzgerald ( vocals ) Ted Carson ( pno ) Keter Betts ( bass ) Joe Harris ( drs )
Recorded Niew York, 11th July 1968
This is a typical Ella Fitzgerald concert performance which takes place in a New York venue which sounds very much like one of those concert halls which singers dread, Ella’s voice has a tendency to drift off occasionally.
Ella’s repertoire is what we have come to expect except “The Object Of My Affection” which I don’t recall Ella singing before. Ella’s backing trio is relatively well known apart from pianist Tee Carson who fills the role adequately.
The concert opens with a fast paced version of “It’s All Right With Me” which Ella often used as an opening number and the concert off to a lively start..
Ella puts together a medley of “Blue Skies” and “On A Clear Day” which fit well together and Ella even manages to interpose a few lines of “A Foggy Day” into the lyrics. This is one of the better tracks on the album.
“Ella’s version of “The Object Of My Affection” is treated in a light hearted manner which suit’s the number and Ella’s interpretation.
The medley of ”Sunny” and “Going Out Of My Head” and is Ella tackling more contemporary material ( at time of the recording ) but she never appears to be happy with this type of tune.
Ella sounds entirely at ease on “Watch What Happens” which is a slightly Latin treatment and this is nice relaxing track.
“A Tisket A Tasket” and “The Lady Is A Tramp” are included as crowd pleasers but work well enough.
The final number on the album is “One Note Samba” and gives Ella a chance to perform her vocal gymnastics and scat singing which goes down well with the audience.
Bass player Keter Betts as a long experience of working with singers including Dinah Washington and a long spell with Ella and acquits himself well. Drummer Joe Harris is fairly heavy handed but this may have been an attempt to reach the back of the audience in this vast arena.
Ella’s announcements and vocal asides add atmosphere to the recording and this is typical concert fare. There are much better examples of Ella’s singing on record and this is far from an essential purchase but you pay your money and make your choice.
Reviewed by Roy Booth
Dot Time Records DT8001
Ella Fitzgerald ( vocals ) Ted Carson ( pno ) Keter Betts ( bass ) Joe Harris ( drs )
Recorded Niew York, 11th July 1968
This is a typical Ella Fitzgerald concert performance which takes place in a New York venue which sounds very much like one of those concert halls which singers dread, Ella’s voice has a tendency to drift off occasionally.
Ella’s repertoire is what we have come to expect except “The Object Of My Affection” which I don’t recall Ella singing before. Ella’s backing trio is relatively well known apart from pianist Tee Carson who fills the role adequately.
The concert opens with a fast paced version of “It’s All Right With Me” which Ella often used as an opening number and the concert off to a lively start..
Ella puts together a medley of “Blue Skies” and “On A Clear Day” which fit well together and Ella even manages to interpose a few lines of “A Foggy Day” into the lyrics. This is one of the better tracks on the album.
“Ella’s version of “The Object Of My Affection” is treated in a light hearted manner which suit’s the number and Ella’s interpretation.
The medley of ”Sunny” and “Going Out Of My Head” and is Ella tackling more contemporary material ( at time of the recording ) but she never appears to be happy with this type of tune.
Ella sounds entirely at ease on “Watch What Happens” which is a slightly Latin treatment and this is nice relaxing track.
“A Tisket A Tasket” and “The Lady Is A Tramp” are included as crowd pleasers but work well enough.
The final number on the album is “One Note Samba” and gives Ella a chance to perform her vocal gymnastics and scat singing which goes down well with the audience.
Bass player Keter Betts as a long experience of working with singers including Dinah Washington and a long spell with Ella and acquits himself well. Drummer Joe Harris is fairly heavy handed but this may have been an attempt to reach the back of the audience in this vast arena.
Ella’s announcements and vocal asides add atmosphere to the recording and this is typical concert fare. There are much better examples of Ella’s singing on record and this is far from an essential purchase but you pay your money and make your choice.
Reviewed by Roy Booth
