Is Easy Living a good place to start with Ella Fitzgerald?

Yes, Easy Living is recommended as a starting point for new Ella Fitzgerald listeners. A seamless blend of jazz standards infused with Fitzgerald's rich vocals and Joe Pass's intricate guitar work. Released in 1986, Easy Living marked Ella Fitzgerald's collaboration with guitarist Joe Pass during a period of renewed artistic exploration. At this point in her career, Fitzgerald was celebrated as a jazz icon but was also venturing into more intimate studio recordings, showcasing her timeless vocal prowess alongside Pass's virtuosity.

Who is Easy Living for?

Easy Living works well if you're into steady flow with emotional peaks, warm backdrop for intimate moments and relaxed vibes for evening unwinding.

How many songs are on Easy Living?

Easy Living has 15 tracks, running approximately 56 minutes.

Released 40 years ago

Easy Living

Ella Fitzgerald · 1986

56 min · 15 tracks · jazz

A seamless blend of jazz standards infused with Fitzgerald's rich vocals and Joe Pass's intricate guitar work.

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Top tracks — play these first

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My Ship — This track showcases Fitzgerald's ability to convey deep emotion through nuanced phrasing, complemented by Pass's delicate guitar harmonies that enhance the lyrical content.
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Don’t Worry ’bout Me — Fitzgerald delivers an evocative interpretation of this standard, where her voice effortlessly captures the song’s bittersweet essence while intertwining with the subtle complexity of Pass's guitar lines.
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Easy Living Start here — The title track encapsulates the album’s theme of tranquility and longing, with Fitzgerald’s rich tone melding beautifully with Pass's intricate accompaniment, creating a lush soundscape.
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I Don’t Stand a Ghost of a Chance With You — Fitzgerald’s interpretation brings a poignant depth to this classic, using her impeccable timing and emotional delivery to highlight its narrative of unrequited love.
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Love for Sale — This track features an alluring interplay between Fitzgerald’s expressive vocals and Pass’s sophisticated guitar work, effectively conveying the song's themes of desire and melancholy.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

59 /100

Treeline

Higher than 57% of albums we've rated

Fitzgerald's rich vocals and Pass's guitar create a warm, engaging atmosphere, though it doesn't break new ground in jazz.

What we noticed

Most tracks maintain a slow to mid-tempo pace, allowing for a relaxed exploration of the melodies.
Several songs include extended instrumental sections where Pass takes the lead, highlighting his intricate playing style.

Composition 25% of the score: 7/10
Craft 20% of the score: 8/10
Durability 25% of the score: 6/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 6/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 7/10

Influence 4/10

Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

steady flow with emotional peaks
warm backdrop for intimate moments
relaxed vibes for evening unwinding
easy listening during quiet afternoons
sophisticated charm for social gatherings

Maybe skip if you

seekers of high-energy tracks
prefer fast-paced listening experiences

Where this album fits

In the catalog: Late Career Highlight — Released in 1986, it showcases her continued artistic exploration and relevance.
Themes: lush orchestral arrangements· playful swing moments· emotional balladry
Career context: Released in 1986, Easy Living marked Ella Fitzgerald's collaboration with guitarist Joe Pass during a period of renewed artistic exploration. At this point in her career, Fitzgerald was celebrated as a jazz icon but was also venturing into more intimate studio recordings, showcasing her timeless vocal prowess alongside Pass's virtuosity.
Stylistic neighbors: Billie Holiday· Sarah Vaughan· Louis Armstrong

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Moments worth listening for

Where the writing does something specific.

My Ship

The verse shifts into a dreamlike reflection on unattainable desires and hopes.

This moment employs rich imagery to evoke a sense of yearning, allowing listeners to immerse themselves in the lyrical landscape without explicitly stating every feeling.