Nice Work If You Can Get It – Ella Fitzgerald & Andre Previn Do Gershwin cover

Nice Work If You Can Get It – Ella Fitzgerald & Andre Previn Do Gershwin

Ella Fitzgerald · 1983

36 min · 8 tracks · jazz

A sophisticated blend of jazz elegance and orchestral flair, showcasing timeless Gershwin compositions through Fitzgerald's iconic vocals.

Top tracks — play these first

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    A Foggy Day Start here — establishes the sonic palette early
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    Nice Work If You Can Get It — The title track exemplifies Fitzgerald's playful vocal style, seamlessly blending jazz phrasing with Gershwin's lighthearted lyrics about the joys of life and love.
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    They Can’t Take That Away From Me — This track showcases Fitzgerald's emotive delivery and impeccable timing, transforming a simple love song into an evocative declaration of enduring affection.
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    How Long Has This Been Going On? — Fitzgerald's interpretation combines wistfulness and charm, highlighting her ability to convey deep emotion while maintaining a playful rhythm that draws listeners in.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

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

60 /100
Treeline
Higher than 66% of albums we've rated

Fitzgerald's vocal mastery combined with orchestral backing creates a cohesive yet familiar jazz experience.

What we noticed

  • Each song maintains a consistent tempo, with only slight variations in dynamics to highlight emotional shifts.
Composition 25% of the score
8/10

the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics

Craft 20% of the score
7/10

production, performance, arrangement

Durability 25% of the score
6/10

whether it rewards returning to it

Distinctiveness 18% of the score
6/10

whether it sounds like itself

Sequencing 12% of the score
7/10

running order, pacing, length

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

  • intimate evening listening vibes
  • smooth, relaxing background music
  • short, engaging musical moments
  • nostalgic and romantic atmospheres

Where this album fits

In the catalog
Critical Peak — This album is highly acclaimed and showcases Fitzgerald's artistic resurgence.
Themes
Gershwin's jazz standards· sophisticated orchestral elegance
Moods
Chill· Nostalgic
Career context
By the time 'Nice Work If You Can Get It' was released in 1983, Ella Fitzgerald was enjoying a resurgence in popularity after decades as a leading figure in jazz. This album marked her collaboration with conductor and pianist André Previn, signifying a notable partnership that brought her interpretations of classic standards back to the forefront of contemporary music appreciation.
Stylistic neighbors
Billie Holiday· Sarah Vaughan· Louis Armstrong

Tracklist

  • 1 A Foggy Day Start here 6:11
  • 2 Nice Work If You Can Get It 5:15
  • 3 But Not for Me 3:54
  • 4 Let’s Call the Whole Thing Off 2:47
  • 5 How Long Has This Been Going On? 5:02
  • 6 Who Cares? 4:31
  • 7 I’ve Got a Crush on You / Someone to Watch Over Me / Embraceable You 4:57
  • 8 They Can’t Take That Away From Me 3:28

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata