Is These Are the Blues a good place to start with Ella Fitzgerald?

Yes, These Are the Blues is recommended as a starting point for new Ella Fitzgerald listeners. A soulful journey through classic blues, showcasing Fitzgerald's unparalleled vocal prowess and emotional depth. In 1963, Ella Fitzgerald was already a revered figure in jazz, having released numerous acclaimed albums throughout the 1940s and 50s. 'These Are the Blues' marked her exploration into blues music at a time when she was transitioning from big band to more intimate formats, reflecting her versatility as an artist.

Who is These Are the Blues for?

These Are the Blues works well if you're into steady emotional exploration throughout, rich vocal expressions of sorrow and evening relaxation with reflective tones.

How many songs are on These Are the Blues?

These Are the Blues has 10 tracks, running approximately 42 minutes.

These Are the Blues

Ella Fitzgerald · 1963

42 min · 10 tracks · jazz

A soulful journey through classic blues, showcasing Fitzgerald's unparalleled vocal prowess and emotional depth.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Jail House Blues Start here — This opening track establishes the album's mood with its raw emotion and showcases Fitzgerald's powerful delivery of poignant lyrics about confinement and longing.
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Down Hearted Blues — Fitzgerald's interpretation of this classic blues number highlights her ability to convey deep sorrow while maintaining a captivating melodic line, making it a standout performance.
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St. Louis Blues — This track exemplifies Fitzgerald's mastery of both vocal improvisation and emotional expression, transforming a well-known standard into a personal statement that resonates throughout the album.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

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

64 /100

Treeline

Higher than 79% of albums we've rated

Fitzgerald's unique vocal interpretations and strong blues foundations create a distinct yet cohesive album.

What we noticed

The album features a consistent use of slow to mid-tempo tracks, with only one song breaking the pattern by introducing a faster rhythm.
Fitzgerald's vocal lines often incorporate improvisational elements, allowing her to explore emotional nuances within the blues structure.
Each track is built around traditional blues forms, but Fitzgerald's phrasing and timing create a distinctive interpretation that sets them apart.

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: 8/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 7/10

Influence 6/10

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 emotional exploration throughout
rich vocal expressions of sorrow
evening relaxation with reflective tones
captivating storytelling through melody

Maybe skip if you

seeking fast-paced excitement
prefer standalone, upbeat tracks

Where this album fits

In the catalog: Experimental — Shows Fitzgerald's exploration of blues, differing from her established jazz sound.
Themes: St. Louis blues· jailhouse despair
Career context: In 1963, Ella Fitzgerald was already a revered figure in jazz, having released numerous acclaimed albums throughout the 1940s and 50s. 'These Are the Blues' marked her exploration into blues music at a time when she was transitioning from big band to more intimate formats, reflecting her versatility as an artist.
Stylistic neighbors: Billie Holiday· Sarah Vaughan· Louis Armstrong