Sings the Harold Arlen Songbook
Ella Fitzgerald · 1961
53 min · 13 tracks · jazz
Ella Fitzgerald's voice weaves through lush orchestration, breathing life into Harold Arlen's timeless melodies with unparalleled emotional depth.
Top tracks — play these first
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Blues in the Night Start here — This opening track highlights Fitzgerald's ability to convey deep emotion through her phrasing, setting a poignant tone for the album. Its intricate melodies showcase both her vocal agility and emotional range.
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Stormy Weather — Fitzgerald delivers a powerful rendition of this classic, imbuing it with a sense of longing that resonates throughout the performance. The arrangement complements her voice beautifully, making it a standout moment.
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That Old Black Magic — This track captures Fitzgerald's playful yet sultry delivery, demonstrating her command over rhythm and swing. It's a perfect blend of lyricism and musicality, illustrating why she remains an iconic figure.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
Fitzgerald's vocal interpretations and orchestration create a rich listening experience that stands out in the jazz genre.
What we noticed
- Each track features Fitzgerald's vocals prominently, often accompanied by lush orchestral arrangements that enhance the emotional weight of the melodies.
- Composition 25% of the score
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8/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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9/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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8/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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8/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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7/10
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
- steady melodic journey throughout
- rich vocals for relaxed evenings
- timeless classics with lush arrangements
- for intimate gatherings
Maybe skip if you
- prefer fast-paced listening experiences
- seek experimental or avant-garde sounds
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Breakthrough — First in the songbook series, it significantly raised interest in Arlen's work.
- Themes
- stormy weather blues· jazz-era sophistication
- Career context
- By 1961, Ella Fitzgerald was a celebrated figure in jazz and popular music, having released numerous acclaimed albums. 'Sings the Harold Arlen Songbook' marked her first album of the songbook series, showcasing her interpretive prowess and solidifying her status as a leading vocalist. This release came after a fruitful period that included collaborations with some of the greatest jazz musicians of her time.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Billie Holiday· Sarah Vaughan· Louis Armstrong
Moments worth listening for
Where the writing does something specific.
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Stormy Weather
The narrative shifts from hopefulness to despair as the narrator reflects on love lost during tumultuous times.
The transition in tone not only enhances the emotional weight but also showcases Fitzgerald’s skill in conveying complex feelings through dynamic vocal delivery.
Tracklist
- 1 Blues in the Night Start here 7:11
- 2 Let’s Fall in Love 4:05
- 3 Stormy Weather 5:16
- 4 Sing My Heart 2:48
- 5 Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea 2:24
- 6 My Shining Hour 4:01
- 7 Hooray for Love 2:43
- 8 This Time the Dream’s on Me 4:37
- 9 That Old Black Magic 4:10
- 10 I’ve Got the World on a String 4:51
- 11 Let’s Take a Walk Around the Block 4:01
- 12 Ill Wind 3:52
- 13 Ac‐Cent‐Tchu‐Ate the Positive 3:38
If this landed
Records by other artists that run on the same instinct.
Lady in Satin
Billie Holiday
Shares lush orchestral arrangements and emotional depth, focusing on love and loss.
I Put a Spell on You
Nina Simone
Captures the same stormy emotional intensity with rich vocal performances over jazz instrumentation.
Sarah Vaughan with Clifford Brown
Sarah Vaughan
Features intricate vocal phrasing and sophisticated jazz arrangements that echo Fitzgerald's style.
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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