Ella Fitzgerald Centenary Celebration Releases

The new Decca sets are now available from qobuz:

The Complete Decca Singles Vol. 1: 1935-1939 | Ella Fitzgerald

The prices are pretty brave. I will have to listen first. If these aren't much-needed and deserved new masterings, I will definitely pass...

 

The Ella Fitzgerald Sings The George and Ira Gershwin Song Books has shipped.

 

Have not received my confirmation of that yet.

 

Got mine 15 minutes ago....

 

I am counting the seconds till I get mine.....

 

JUST SHIPPED!!!!!

 

We can't even order it over here!!!!

 

I was about to write that the 4-CD Ella 100 set was an overpriced disappointment, since at first glance it appeared there were no liner notes or text in the foldout digipak case. (Just a '30s photo of Ella and a few album cover thumbnails.)

However, there *is* a meager booklet stuck inside the right flap. An essay by Kirk Silsbee, and details of the 100 selections from her Decca and Verve years, 1936–1966. Produced by Didier Deutsch; mastered by Mike Piacentini @ Battery Studios, NY.

Overall, this strikes me as a minimal budget effort by Verve/UMe for Ella's Centennial.

 

The shape of things to come? Everybody says physical media is dying out. If that's true these big companies will not put much money into these kind of 'career retrospective' sets anymore.

 

UMe has turned out be quite a disappointment in handling the legacies of the careers to which they were appointed. Yes, some Sinatra LP reissues have been "spot on" and for that I am grateful. However, they are very much a "cost effective" company when it comes to production/representation. They have already given up on Bing. Mr. S's centennial was a mish-mosh at best. They are doing this for Ella but I am sure (unless these new sets sell big) she will soon go by the wayside as UMe sticks with $$$$$$ makers only.

 

I agree but let's look at the Gershwin set specifically. How can this possibly "sell big" when it is 'limited' according to their own marketing and not even for sale outside the US? The UK site has one single Ella item for sale currently and that is a budget CD reissue of "Five Classic Albums". There is not even a mention of the Centenary at all. I think UMe is putting some effort in here for this year but then it'll be exactly as you have said: her name will fall by the wayside in terms of marketing and attention to new releases.

 

This set is not available in the UK? Had not heard that!!!!

Joking of course.

On the serious side; there is always ebay, discogs and other online sources for beefing up the catalog with originals or prior reissues. Get the Kevin Gray Speakers Corner reissue - I doubt this version is better.

 

Yes, I appreciate that but the KG / SC version is long out of print and very, very pricey if you can find a copy (which I haven't done yet). There is a "sealed" copy on Discogs but I don't trust the seller as he refused to show a picture of it when I asked which version he was offering for sale. I noted in his feedback some negative comments from previous buyers complaining about supposedly sealed items turning up opened and scratched. I've had my fingers burnt too many times already to risk going there again!

 

For those who want to preview the "new" Ella digital releases, these are the Spotify links:

100 Songs For A Centennial
The Complete Decca Singles Vol. 1: 1935-1939
The Complete Decca Singles Vol. 2: 1939-1941
The Complete Decca Singles Vol. 3: 1942-1949
The Complete Decca Singles Vol. 4: 1950-1955

 

Ella is "out for delivery". Should be at my door when I get home from work. (I'm like a kid at Christmas!!!!)

 

I'm grinding my teeth with envy. Lol! I hope you're satisfied with your purchase. Let us know what you think when you've had an opportunity to play it all through!

 

Watch Ebay. I have seen several in nice condition.

 

BELIEVE ME, I am not trying to rub it anyone's face...I KNOW you are not taking it that way but just sayin'.

Yes, 5 LP's plus the book (which is so damn small in the CD box set that I never was able to read it) plus all that great artwork finally in all it's 12" glory will be a tad much to absorb. So (as with my Bombay Sapphires at cocktail hour) I shall "sip" in small doses to be able to savor the entire experience.

 

Apparently my copy just swung by your house in LA on it's way to Seattle. Should here by Tuesday.

 

In light of the comments made by @MLutthans and others re: the OP mono recordings, I just purchased this set of mono recordings (which appears to be a less-elaborate packaging) which are listed as NM to NM-. It was quite inexpensive IMHO and now I will be engulfed in Ella, Nelson and the Gershwins (and Sapphires) for quite an extended period of time.

 

I saw the plane go overhead just now! It's got the box set cover painted on it's tail!!!!! It IS headed directly North.

 

My guess it will hit my Monday via UPS. LA is only 1600 miles away.

 

WORD TO THE WISE...This is shipped UPS Signature required!!! I was not at home and they sent a text that they will deliver to a UPS drop-off point tomorrow (or next Business Day) where I will have to go pick it up and sign for it.

 

I use the UPS app. I get a notice when shipped and can change delivery dates or hold for pickup if I choose.

 

So do I. However, this was never mentioned anywhere that it was a signature required shipment. If I knew it was I would have made arrangements to work from home today. As it turns out, the UPS Access Point is a Pawn Shop just a few blocks from my building. If they deliver tomorrow I can just casually stroll over there and pick it up. What's 1 more day and I am sure the shipper wanted the security of a signature for such a expensive item shipped for free.

I'll live....