The Early Years, Part 1

This 2-CD compilation chronicles the original Decca recordings Ella Fitzgerald cut during her tenure with the Chick Webb Orchestra. The diminutive Chick Webb was a legendary drummer during the swing era who discovered the young Ella Fitzgerald. The Chick Webb Orchestra includes: Chick Webb (drums, percussion); Ella Fitzgerald (vocals); Louis Jordan, Edgar Sampson, Hilton Jefferson (alto saxophone); Wayman Carver (tenor saxophone, flute); Elmer Williams (tenor saxophone); Mario Bauza, Bobby Stark, Taft Jordan (trumpet); Sandy Williams, Claude Jones (trombone); Pete Clark (clarinet, alto saxophone); Joe Steele (piano); John Trueheart (banjo, guitar); Beverley Peer, John Kirby (bass). Ella Fitzgerald And Her Savoy Eight: Ella Fitzgerald (vocals); Teddy McRae (tenor & baritone saxophones); Taft Jordan (trumpet); Sandy Williams (trombone); Pete Clark (clarinet); Tommy Fulford (piano); John Trueheart (guitar); Beverly Peer (bass); Chick Webb (drums). Listeners used to Ella Fitzgerald's later work may be surprised by this two-disc collection of her first recordings, made in the mid-to-late '30s with the good-timey Chick Webb Orchestra. For one thing, it's pure swing in the Benny Goodman/Woody Herman tradition, with little of the blues influence of her later, more ballad-heavy work. Bouncy tunes like the sly "When I Get Low I Get High" and the novelty "Mr. Paganini," along with offbeat selections like "Bei Mir Bist Du Schoen," predominate, lending these two discs the giddy spirit that's the hallmark of the best swing music. What's even more surprising is Fitzgerald's voice. Whether due to her tender age (she was about 17 when she started singing with Webb) or the style of the times, Fitzgerald often sings in a high, breathy, girlish voice that's very much unlike her later honeyed tone. This may take some getting used to, but it's worth it. Fine material. Personnel: Ella Fitzgerald (vocals). Recording information: New York, NY (06/12/1935-10/06/1938). JazzTimes (3/93, p.66) - "...[a] joyous spirit permeates this collection of Fitzgerald's earliest work...she sings with a tonal beauty and rhythmic sureness that is irresistible...the singer, the bandleader and the musicians are all clearly on the same wavelength...the sound quality is generally excellent..."