Jazz at Santa Monica Civic '72
Ella Fitzgerald · 1972
154 min · 29 tracks · jazz
A vibrant showcase of jazz standards, marked by Ella Fitzgerald's remarkable vocal improvisation and the dynamic interplay of live instrumentation.
Top tracks — play these first
-
→
Basie Power Start here — accessible entry with immediate hook
-
→
In a Mellow Tone — This track features an extended improvisational section that highlights Fitzgerald's vocal dexterity and the band’s seamless cohesion, reflecting the essence of live jazz performance.
-
→
Ballad Medley: Makin’ Whoopee — In this medley, Fitzgerald's phrasing and emotional depth shine through, creating an intimate atmosphere that showcases her interpretative skills in ballad singing.
-
→
What’s Going On — Fitzgerald’s rendition of this contemporary classic adds a unique jazz interpretation to Marvin Gaye's iconic song, bridging genres and highlighting her versatility.
-
→
Cole Porter Medley: Too Darn Hot / It’s All Right With Me — This medley captures Fitzgerald's playful energy and wit, demonstrating both her technical prowess and deep connection to the material.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
Ella Fitzgerald's vibrant vocal improvisation and dynamic live instrumentation create a compelling jazz experience.
What we noticed
- The live setting captures audience reactions, which adds to the energy and spontaneity of the performance.
- Composition 25% of the score
-
7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
-
8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
-
7/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
-
8/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
-
6/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Significant within its genre. 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
- dynamic performance journey
- vibrant improvisation showcases
- long-form listening experience
- wave-like pacing changes
- nostalgic standards reimagined
Maybe skip if you
- prefer short, standalone tracks
- seek instant gratification
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Critical Peak — Showcases her vocal mastery during a significant period in jazz history.
- Themes
- Santa Monica jazz scene· live improvisational energy
- Career context
- Released in 1972, this album captures Ella Fitzgerald during a prolific period of her career when she was solidifying her status as a jazz icon. Following her Grammy-winning years in the late 1960s and early 1970s, this live recording exemplifies her ability to engage with an audience while delivering deeply emotive performances.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Billie Holiday· Sarah Vaughan· Louis Armstrong
Tracklist
Disc 1
- 1 [introductions] 1:01
- 2 Basie Power Start here 3:07
- 3 The Spirit Is Willing 4:38
- 4 The Meetin’ Time 4:50
- 5 Blues in Hoss’s Flat 5:08
- 6 Good Times Blues 7:34
- 7 In a Mellow Tone 15:00
Disc 2
- 1 Loose Walk 10:48
- 2 Ballad Medley: Makin’ Whoopee 2:57
- 3 Ballad Medley: If I Had You 3:27
- 4 Ballad Medley: She’s Funny That Way 3:06
- 5 Ballad Medley: Blue & Sentimental 1:58
- 6 Ballad Medley: I Surrender Dear 3:12
- 7 5400 North 13:34
- 8 You Are My Sunshine 8:41
Disc 3
- 1 L.O.V.E. 3:16
- 2 Begin the Beguine 4:27
- 3 Indian Summer 4:35
- 4 You’ve Got a Friend 5:12
- 5 What’s Going On 4:07
- 6 Night and Day 5:17
- 7 Spring Can Really Hang You Up the Most 4:14
- 8 Little White Lies 3:25
- 9 Madalena 3:37
- 10 Shiny Stockings 3:56
- 11 Cole Porter Medley: Too Darn Hot / It’s All Right With Me 3:20
- 12 Sanford and Son Theme 2:58
- 13 I Can’t Stop Loving You 6:12
- 14 “C” Jam Blues 11:05
If this landed
Records by other artists that run on the same instinct.
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
Sync your library
Everything you track here works immediately — no account needed. Create one when you want to sync across devices.