Search - Norman Granz Jazz In Montreux Presents Ella & Basie '79 on DVD

Been There, Seen It Before, Heard It Before - Still Love It!

Robert H. Bruno | Revere, MA United States | 10/29/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"From 1960 through 1986, I've been the lucky audience member of over a dozen Ella concerts (certainly would have gone to more, if they were available - location wise). To this end, I feel that I've developed the essential experience to critique Miss Fitzgerald's performance.

We'll start with near the end first. I heard Ella perform "Flying Home" in Boston around the same time of this recording. I felt like I was viewing the same performance of one of her most fantastic scat sessions - and there have been many - "How High the Moon", "Lady Be Good", "Stomping at the Savoy." "Basella" was a variation of Ellington's "C-Jam Blues" which Ella has done in prior concerts with similar and exciting aplomb - she coaxes the best out of her co-performers and they coax the best out of her.

The first five tracks, backed by the Basie "congregation" (Ella refers to this as orchestra - I think it's a band), are well crafted and executed performances by Ella and the band. The combo sessions follow with a superb version of "Dindi" which offers a far better reading of this song in comparison to her Jobim songbook offering.

There is so much offered in this recording. I would only hope that, somewhere, there is more recorded Ella to enjoy."

If you look in the dictionary under "swing" ...

Laurie A.E. | MA, USA | 03/02/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"... as in "jazz", there should be a picture of this DVD alongside the definition, because when Ella and the Count Basie stable of supremely talented musicians get going, this is out of SIGHT. Ella was still swinging strong in '79; some say she was actually at the apex of her career, and this performance is fine support for that argument.

The title *is* misleading, as Count Basie is only stage for a few numbers, but for my money this is worth it just to have one of the best Ella performances ever in your personal library. Cheaper than a concert ticket, and you can watch it over and over and over again ... which you will, if you are a fan of the First Lady of Song.


"

Wonderful.......nothing more to say

A C SHIELDS | melbourne , australia | 05/03/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I bought this liking both Ella and Basie and whilst it would have been good to have more Basie , at least his band swings beautifully . Just hearing Ella sing "Sweet Georgia Brown" on this DVD makes me feel glad to be alive . She takes a lot of chances whilst singing and obviously loves what she's doing .
She doesn't ignore the audience like some jazz performers do .

One reviewer wrote that Ella was past her prime when this was recorded . If so , I would rather she was still around as not many other current singers do it for me like Ella does .
Most record companies have big marketing budgets , but are the 'artists' worth your hard earned ?

Picasso was an artist , like Ella . They communicate .
Without needing to dance .

If you love great singing , this will give you goosebumps . Buy and enjoy ."