Ella Fitzgerald Sings the Harold Arlen Songbook[Verve, 1961] (With Billy May)

​

It's a beautiful record that, I think, should have had an exclusive topic here for some time now.

Recorded at Capitol Studios on August 1, 1960 and at Radio Records on January 15, 1961, Harold Arlen's songbook features, for the first and only time, a partnership between Ella Fitzgerald and conductor and arranger Billy May.

Billy May is well known and celebrated for his raucous and super swing arrangements for Big Band, as well as his work for series, movies and albums by singers like Frank Sinatra, Nat King Cole and Matt Monro, among others.

But one thing I see rarely get noticed is how meticulous, sensitive and assertive Billy was to female vocalists. His partnerships with Nancy Wilson and Anita O'Day prove this. Billy May kept his brand but at the same time he knew how to be a precious help for Ella to shine. And here he has done a perfect and beautiful job for Ella. Too bad they didn't work harder.

Also a point for recording engineer Val Valentin, who captured a brilliant and well-distributed sound for the stereo mix.

It is necessary to remember that, in this 2021, the project completes 60 years of life.

The production is by Norman Granz.

What do many of you think about this album?​

 

It’s an excellent album, for sure; Ella and Arlen are a nice combination.

 

Never heard of the album but I do have a couple of Ella Fitzgerald song book albums.
I had to look up the Harold Arlen album on YouTube. Does this sound the same to what you have on vinyl or CD?

 

Thanks for starting the thread. Hadn't listened to this in forever. Such wonderful music as are all of her songbook collections.

 

I love the Harold Arlen Songbook album! It might be my favourite of hers after the Duke Ellington one. What attracts me to especially these two titles is that they seem a bit jazzier, for lack of a better word, than the other Songbooks. One of my favourite Ella Fitzgerald songs ever is also Ac-Cent-Tchu-Ate The Positive which can be found on this collection. Wonderful stuff.

 

I love this record. I have the Speakers Corner reissue, which I think Kevin Gray mastered. Regardless it sounds wonderful and what music.

 

I have this album in digital format only. Sounds exactly like this video.

 

Recording Sessions - Capitol Recording Stdios, Hollywood​

Date: 1 August 1960
Location: Capitol Records, Los Angeles
Label: Verve Records

Ella Fitzgerald (vc), Don Fagerquist (tp), Ted Nash (as), Plas Johnson (ts), Paul Smith (p), John Collins, Al Hendrickson (g), Joe Mondragon (b), Alvin Stoller (d), Billy May (cnd, arr)

a. 26,729-6 Hooray For Love - 02:42 (Harold Arlen, Leo Robin)
Verve Records LP 12" STEREO: V6-4046-2 - Ella Fitzgerald Sings The Harold Arlen Song Book (1961)
Verve Records LP 12" MONO: V-4046-2 - Ella Fitzgerald Sings The Harold Arlen Song Book (1961)
Verve Records Reel-to-reel Tape STEREO (4 T): VSTP-254 - Ella Fitzgerald Sings The Harold Arlen Song Book (1961)
His Master Voice LP 12" MONO: CLP 1479 - Ella Fitzgerald Sings The Harold Arlen Song Book Vol. 1 (1962)
Verve Records LP 12" STEREO: V6-4057 - Ella Fitzgerald Sings The Harold Arlen Song Book Vol. 1 (1964)
Verve Records LP 12" MONO: V-4057 - Ella Fitzgerald Sings The Harold Arlen Song Book Vol. 1 (1964)
Verve Records CD: 314 817 527-2 - Ella Fitzgerald Sings The Harold Arlen Song Book Vol. 1 (1989)
Verve Records Double CD: 314 589 108-2 - Ella Fitzgerald Sings The Harold Arlen Song Book (2001)
b. 26,730-7 When The Sun Comes Out - 05:06 (Harold Arlen, Theodore "Ted" Koehler)
Verve Records LP 12" STEREO: V6-4046-2 - Ella Fitzgerald Sings The Harold Arlen Song Book (1961)
Verve Records LP 12" MONO: V-4046-2 - Ella Fitzgerald Sings The Harold Arlen Song Book (1961)
Verve Records Reel-to-reel Tape STEREO (4 T): VSTP-254 - Ella Fitzgerald Sings The Harold Arlen Song Book (1961)
His Master Voice LP 12" MONO: CLP 1480 - Ella Fitzgerald Sings The Harold Arlen Song Book Vol. 2 (1962)
Verve Records LP 12" STEREO: V6-4058 - Ella Fitzgerald Sings The Harold Arlen Song Book Vol. 1 (1964)
Verve Records LP 12" MONO: V-4058 - Ella Fitzgerald Sings The Harold Arlen Song Book Vol. 2 (1964)
Verve Records CD: 314 817 528-2 - Ella Fitzgerald Sings The Harold Arlen Song Book Vol. 2 (1989)
Verve Records Double CD: 314 589 108-2 - Ella Fitzgerald Sings The Harold Arlen Song Book (2001)
c. 26,731-6 As Long As I Live - 03:45 (Harold Arlen, Theodore "Ted" Koehler)
Verve Records LP 12" STEREO: V6-4046-2 - Ella Fitzgerald Sings The Harold Arlen Song Book (1961)
Verve Records LP 12" MONO: V-4046-2 - Ella Fitzgerald Sings The Harold Arlen Song Book (1961)
Verve Records Reel-to-reel Tape STEREO (4 T): VSTP-254 - Ella Fitzgerald Sings The Harold Arlen Song Book (1961)
His Master Voice LP 12" MONO: CLP 1480 - Ella Fitzgerald Sings The Harold Arlen Song Book Vol. 2 (1962)
Verve Records LP 12" STEREO: V6-4058 - Ella Fitzgerald Sings The Harold Arlen Song Book Vol. 1 (1964)
Verve Records LP 12" MONO: V-4058 - Ella Fitzgerald Sings The Harold Arlen Song Book Vol. 2 (1964)
Verve Records CD: 314 817 528-2 - Ella Fitzgerald Sings The Harold Arlen Song Book Vol. 2 (1989)
Verve Records Double CD: 314 589 108-2 - Ella Fitzgerald Sings The Harold Arlen Song Book (2001)
d. 26,732-4 It's Only A Paper Moon - 03:34 (Harold Arlen, Edgar Yipsel Harburg, Billy Rose)
Verve Records LP 12" STEREO: V6-4046-2 - Ella Fitzgerald Sings The Harold Arlen Song Book (1961)
Verve Records LP 12" MONO: V-4046-2 - Ella Fitzgerald Sings The Harold Arlen Song Book (1961)
Verve Records Reel-to-reel Tape STEREO (4 T): VSTP-254 - Ella Fitzgerald Sings The Harold Arlen Song Book (1961)
His Master Voice LP 12" MONO: CLP 1480 - Ella Fitzgerald Sings The Harold Arlen Song Book Vol. 2 (1962)
Verve Records LP 12" STEREO: V6-4058 - Ella Fitzgerald Sings The Harold Arlen Song Book Vol. 1 (1964)
Verve Records LP 12" MONO: V-4058 - Ella Fitzgerald Sings The Harold Arlen Song Book Vol. 2 (1964)
Verve Records CD: 314 817 528-2 - Ella Fitzgerald Sings The Harold Arlen Song Book Vol. 2 (1989)
Verve Records Double CD: 314 589 108-2 - Ella Fitzgerald Sings The Harold Arlen Song Book (2001)
e. 26,733-7 The Man That Got Away - 05:18 (Harold Arlen, Ira Gershwin)
Verve Records LP 12" STEREO: V6-4046-2 - Ella Fitzgerald Sings The Harold Arlen Song Book (1961)
Verve Records LP 12" MONO: V-4046-2 - Ella Fitzgerald Sings The Harold Arlen Song Book (1961)
Verve Records Reel-to-reel Tape STEREO (4 T): VSTP-254 - Ella Fitzgerald Sings The Harold Arlen Song Book (1961)
His Master Voice LP 12" MONO: CLP 1480 - Ella Fitzgerald Sings The Harold Arlen Song Book Vol. 2 (1962)
Verve Records LP 12" STEREO: V6-4058 - Ella Fitzgerald Sings The Harold Arlen Song Book Vol. 1 (1964)
Verve Records LP 12" MONO: V-4058 - Ella Fitzgerald Sings The Harold Arlen Song Book Vol. 2 (1964)
Verve Records CD: 314 817 528-2 - Ella Fitzgerald Sings The Harold Arlen Song Book Vol. 2 (1989)
Verve Records Double CD: 314 589 108-2 - Ella Fitzgerald Sings The Harold Arlen Song Book (2001)
f. 26,734-5 Ac-Cent-Tchu-Ate The Positive - 03:37 (Harold Arlen, John Herndon "Johnny" Mercer)
Verve Records LP 12" STEREO: V6-4046-2 - Ella Fitzgerald Sings The Harold Arlen Song Book (1961)
Verve Records LP 12" MONO: V-4046-2 - Ella Fitzgerald Sings The Harold Arlen Song Book (1961)
Verve Records Reel-to-reel Tape STEREO (4 T): VSTP-254 - Ella Fitzgerald Sings The Harold Arlen Song Book (1961)
His Master Voice LP 12" MONO: CLP 1479 - Ella Fitzgerald Sings The Harold Arlen Song Book Vol. 1 (1962)
Verve Records LP 12" STEREO: V6-4057 - Ella Fitzgerald Sings The Harold Arlen Song Book Vol. 1 (1964)
Verve Records LP 12" MONO: V-4057 - Ella Fitzgerald Sings The Harold Arlen Song Book Vol. 1 (1964)
Verve Records CD: 314 817 527-2 - Ella Fitzgerald Sings The Harold Arlen Song Book Vol. 1 (1989)
Verve Records Double CD: 314 589 108-2 - Ella Fitzgerald Sings The Harold Arlen Song Book (2001)
g. 26,735-1 I've Got The World On A String - 04:50 (Harold Arlen, Theodore "Ted" Koehler)
Verve Records LP 12" STEREO: V6-4046-2 - Ella Fitzgerald Sings The Harold Arlen Song Book (1961)
Verve Records LP 12" MONO: V-4046-2 - Ella Fitzgerald Sings The Harold Arlen Song Book (1961)
Verve Records Reel-to-reel Tape STEREO (4 T): VSTP-254 - Ella Fitzgerald Sings The Harold Arlen Song Book (1961)
His Master Voice LP 12" MONO: CLP 1479 - Ella Fitzgerald Sings The Harold Arlen Song Book Vol. 1 (1962)
Verve Records LP 12" STEREO: V6-4057 - Ella Fitzgerald Sings The Harold Arlen Song Book Vol. 1 (1964)
Verve Records LP 12" MONO: V-4057 - Ella Fitzgerald Sings The Harold Arlen Song Book Vol. 1 (1964)
Verve Records CD: 314 817 527-2 - Ella Fitzgerald Sings The Harold Arlen Song Book Vol. 1 (1989)
Verve Records Double CD: 314 589 108-2 - Ella Fitzgerald Sings The Harold Arlen Song Book (2001)

__________________________________________________________________________________

Date: 2 August 1960
Location: Capitol Records, Los Angeles
Label: Verve Records

Ella Fitzgerald (vc), Ted Nash (as), Paul Smith (p), John Collins, Al Hendrickson (g), Joe Mondragon (b), Alvin Stoller (d), Billy May (cnd, arr)

a. 26,737-1 Get Happy - 03:29 (Harold Arlen, Theodore "Ted" Koehler)
Verve Records LP 12" STEREO: V6-4046-2 - Ella Fitzgerald Sings The Harold Arlen Song Book (1961)
Verve Records LP 12" MONO: V-4046-2 - Ella Fitzgerald Sings The Harold Arlen Song Book (1961)
Verve Records Reel-to-reel Tape STEREO (4 T): VSTP-254 - Ella Fitzgerald Sings The Harold Arlen Song Book (1961)
His Master Voice LP 12" MONO: CLP 1480 - Ella Fitzgerald Sings The Harold Arlen Song Book Vol. 2 (1962)
Verve Records LP 12" STEREO: V6-4058 - Ella Fitzgerald Sings The Harold Arlen Song Book Vol. 1 (1964)
Verve Records LP 12" MONO: V-4058 - Ella Fitzgerald Sings The Harold Arlen Song Book Vol. 2 (1964)
Verve Records CD: 314 817 528-2 - Ella Fitzgerald Sings The Harold Arlen Song Book Vol. 2 (1989)
Verve Records Box Set (multiple CDs): 314 517 898-2 - The First Lady Of Song (1993)
Verve Records Double CD: 314 589 108-2 - Ella Fitzgerald Sings The Harold Arlen Song Book (2001)
b. 26,738-1 Sing My Heart (Harold Arlen, Theodore "Ted" Koehler)
unissued
c. 26,738-2 Sing My Heart - 02:32 (Harold Arlen, Theodore "Ted" Koehler)
Verve Records Double CD: 314 589 108-2 - Ella Fitzgerald Sings The Harold Arlen Song Book (2001)
d. 26,738-3 Sing My Heart (Harold Arlen, Theodore "Ted" Koehler)
unissued
e. 26,738-4 Sing My Heart - 02:45 (Harold Arlen, Theodore "Ted" Koehler)
Verve Records CD: 314 817 527-2 - Ella Fitzgerald Sings The Harold Arlen Song Book Vol. 1 (1989)
Verve Records Double CD: 314 589 108-2 - Ella Fitzgerald Sings The Harold Arlen Song Book (2001)
f. 26,739-1 Ding Dong! The Witch Is Dead (Harold Arlen, Edgar Yipsel Harburg)
unissued
g. 26,739-2 Ding Dong! The Witch Is Dead (Harold Arlen, Edgar Yipsel Harburg)
unissued
h. 26,739-3 Ding Dong! The Witch Is Dead - 03:15 (Harold Arlen, Edgar Yipsel Harburg)
Verve Records CD: 314 817 528-2 - Ella Fitzgerald Sings The Harold Arlen Song Book Vol. 2 (1989)
Verve Records Double CD: 314 589 108-2 - Ella Fitzgerald Sings The Harold Arlen Song Book (2001)
i. 26,740-1 Let's Take A Walk Around The Block - 04:03 (Harold Arlen, Ira Gershwin, Edgar Yipsel Harburg)
Verve Records Double CD: 314 589 108-2 - Ella Fitzgerald Sings The Harold Arlen Song Book (2001)
j. 26,740-2 Let's Take A Walk Around The Block (Harold Arlen, Ira Gershwin, Edgar Yipsel Harburg)
unissued
k. 26,740-3 Let's Take A Walk Around The Block - 03:58 (Harold Arlen, Ira Gershwin, Edgar Yipsel Harburg)
Verve Records LP 12" STEREO: V6-4046-2 - Ella Fitzgerald Sings The Harold Arlen Song Book (1961)
Verve Records LP 12" MONO: V-4046-2 - Ella Fitzgerald Sings The Harold Arlen Song Book (1961)
Verve Records Reel-to-reel Tape STEREO (4 T): VSTP-254 - Ella Fitzgerald Sings The Harold Arlen Song Book (1961)
His Master Voice LP 12" MONO: CLP 1479 - Ella Fitzgerald Sings The Harold Arlen Song Book Vol. 1 (1962)
Verve Records LP 12" STEREO: V6-4057 - Ella Fitzgerald Sings The Harold Arlen Song Book Vol. 1 (1964)
Verve Records LP 12" MONO: V-4057 - Ella Fitzgerald Sings The Harold Arlen Song Book Vol. 1 (1964)
Verve Records CD: 314 817 527-2 - Ella Fitzgerald Sings The Harold Arlen Song Book Vol. 1 (1989)
Verve Records Double CD: 314 589 108-2 - Ella Fitzgerald Sings The Harold Arlen Song Book (2001)
l. 26,741-1 Heart And Soul (Hoagland Howard "Hoagy" Carmichael, Frank Loesser)
unissued
m. 26,741-2 Heart And Soul - 03:34 (Hoagland Howard "Hoagy" Carmichael, Frank Loesser)
Verve Records Box Set (multiple CDs): 314 517 898-2 - The First Lady Of Song (1993)

 

Recording Sessions - Radio Recorders Stduio, Hollywood​

Date: 15 January 1961
Location: Radio Recorders, Hollywood
Label: Verve Records

Ella Fitzgerald (vc), Don Fagerquist (tp), Milton Bernhart (tb), Benny Carter (as), Plas Johnson (ts), Chuck Gentry (bs), Verlye Brilhart (hp), Israel Baker, Jacques Gasselin, Benny Gill, Murray Kellner, Dan Lube, Erno Neufeld, Lou Raderman, Nat Ross, Misha Russell, Marshall Sosson, Joseph Stepansky, Gerald Vinci (vl), Alvin Dinken, Lou Kievman, Virginia Majewski, Paul Robyn (vla), Armand Kaproff, Raphael Kramer, Edgar Lustgarted, Eleanor Slatckin (ce), Lou Levy (p), Herb Ellis (g), Wilfred Middlebrooks, Joe Mondragon (b), Alvin Stoller (d), Billy May (cnd, arr)

a. 26,915-3 My Shining Hour - 03:59 (Harold Arlen, John Herndon "Johnny" Mercer)
Verve Records LP 12" STEREO: V6-4046-2 - Ella Fitzgerald Sings The Harold Arlen Song Book (1961)
Verve Records LP 12" MONO: V-4046-2 - Ella Fitzgerald Sings The Harold Arlen Song Book (1961)
Verve Records Reel-to-reel Tape STEREO (4 T): VSTP-254 - Ella Fitzgerald Sings The Harold Arlen Song Book (1961)
His Master Voice LP 12" MONO: CLP 1479 - Ella Fitzgerald Sings The Harold Arlen Song Book Vol. 1 (1962)
Verve Records LP 12" STEREO: V6-4057 - Ella Fitzgerald Sings The Harold Arlen Song Book Vol. 1 (1964)
Verve Records LP 12" MONO: V-4057 - Ella Fitzgerald Sings The Harold Arlen Song Book Vol. 1 (1964)
Verve Records CD: 314 817 527-2 - Ella Fitzgerald Sings The Harold Arlen Song Book Vol. 1 (1989)
Verve Records Double CD: 314 589 108-2 - Ella Fitzgerald Sings The Harold Arlen Song Book (2001)
b. 26,916-3 Ill Wind - 03:50 (Harold Arlen, Theodore "Ted" Koehler)
Verve Records LP 12" STEREO: V6-4046-2 - Ella Fitzgerald Sings The Harold Arlen Song Book (1961)
Verve Records LP 12" MONO: V-4046-2 - Ella Fitzgerald Sings The Harold Arlen Song Book (1961)
His Master Voice LP 12" MONO: CLP 1479 - Ella Fitzgerald Sings The Harold Arlen Song Book Vol. 1 (1962)
Verve Records LP 12" STEREO: V6-4057 - Ella Fitzgerald Sings The Harold Arlen Song Book Vol. 1 (1964)
Verve Records LP 12" MONO: V-4057 - Ella Fitzgerald Sings The Harold Arlen Song Book Vol. 1 (1964)
Verve Records CD: 314 817 527-2 - Ella Fitzgerald Sings The Harold Arlen Song Book Vol. 1 (1989)
Verve Records Double CD: 314 589 108-2 - Ella Fitzgerald Sings The Harold Arlen Song Book (2001)
c. 26,917-7 Over The Rainbow - 04:16 (Harold Arlen, Edgar Yipsel Harburg)
Verve Records LP 12" STEREO: V6-4046-2 - Ella Fitzgerald Sings The Harold Arlen Song Book (1961)
Verve Records LP 12" MONO: V-4046-2 - Ella Fitzgerald Sings The Harold Arlen Song Book (1961)
Verve Records Reel-to-reel Tape STEREO (4 T): VSTP-254 - Ella Fitzgerald Sings The Harold Arlen Song Book (1961)
His Master Voice LP 12" MONO: CLP 1480 - Ella Fitzgerald Sings The Harold Arlen Song Book Vol. 2 (1962)
Verve Records LP 12" STEREO: V6-4058 - Ella Fitzgerald Sings The Harold Arlen Song Book Vol. 1 (1964)
Verve Records LP 12" MONO: V-4058 - Ella Fitzgerald Sings The Harold Arlen Song Book Vol. 2 (1964)
Verve Records CD: 314 817 528-2 - Ella Fitzgerald Sings The Harold Arlen Song Book Vol. 2 (1989)
Verve Records Double CD: 314 589 108-2 - Ella Fitzgerald Sings The Harold Arlen Song Book (2001)
d. 26,918-6 This Time The Dream's On Me - 04:35 (Harold Arlen, John Herndon "Johnny" Mercer)
Verve Records LP 12" STEREO: V6-4046-2 - Ella Fitzgerald Sings The Harold Arlen Song Book (1961)
Verve Records LP 12" MONO: V-4046-2 - Ella Fitzgerald Sings The Harold Arlen Song Book (1961)
Verve Records Reel-to-reel Tape STEREO (4 T): VSTP-254 - Ella Fitzgerald Sings The Harold Arlen Song Book (1961)
His Master Voice LP 12" MONO: CLP 1479 - Ella Fitzgerald Sings The Harold Arlen Song Book Vol. 1 (1962)
Verve Records LP 12" STEREO: V6-4057 - Ella Fitzgerald Sings The Harold Arlen Song Book Vol. 1 (1964)
Verve Records LP 12" MONO: V-4057 - Ella Fitzgerald Sings The Harold Arlen Song Book Vol. 1 (1964)
Verve Records CD: 314 817 527-2 - Ella Fitzgerald Sings The Harold Arlen Song Book Vol. 1 (1989)
Verve Records Double CD: 314 589 108-2 - Ella Fitzgerald Sings The Harold Arlen Song Book (2001)
e. 26,919-1 It Was Written In The Stars - 05:08 (Harold Arlen, Leo Robin)
Verve Records LP 12" STEREO: V6-4046-2 - Ella Fitzgerald Sings The Harold Arlen Song Book (1961)
Verve Records LP 12" MONO: V-4046-2 - Ella Fitzgerald Sings The Harold Arlen Song Book (1961)
His Master Voice LP 12" MONO: CLP 1480 - Ella Fitzgerald Sings The Harold Arlen Song Book Vol. 2 (1962)
Verve Records LP 12" STEREO: V6-4058 - Ella Fitzgerald Sings The Harold Arlen Song Book Vol. 1 (1964)
Verve Records LP 12" MONO: V-4058 - Ella Fitzgerald Sings The Harold Arlen Song Book Vol. 2 (1964)
Verve Records CD: 314 817 528-2 - Ella Fitzgerald Sings The Harold Arlen Song Book Vol. 2 (1989)
Verve Records Double CD: 314 589 108-2 - Ella Fitzgerald Sings The Harold Arlen Song Book (2001)
__________________________________________________________________________________

Date: 16 January 1961
Location: Radio Recorders, Hollywood
Label: Verve Records

Ella Fitzgerald (vc), Don Fagerquist (tp), Milton Bernhart (tb), Benny Carter (as), Chuck Gentry (ts), Henry Beau, Justin Gordon, Jules Jacob (ww), Emil Richards (vb), Lou Levy (p), Herb Ellis (g), Wilfred Middlebrooks, Joe Mondragon (b), Alvin Stoller (d), Billy May (cnd, arr)

a. 26,921-4 Between The Devil And The Deep Blue Sea - 02:22 (Harold Arlen, Theodore "Ted" Koehler)
Verve Records LP 12" STEREO: V6-4046-2 - Ella Fitzgerald Sings The Harold Arlen Song Book (1961)
Verve Records LP 12" MONO: V-4046-2 - Ella Fitzgerald Sings The Harold Arlen Song Book (1961)
Verve Records Reel-to-reel Tape STEREO (4 T): VSTP-254 - Ella Fitzgerald Sings The Harold Arlen Song Book (1961)
His Master Voice LP 12" MONO: CLP 1479 - Ella Fitzgerald Sings The Harold Arlen Song Book Vol. 1 (1962)
Verve Records LP 12" STEREO: V6-4057 - Ella Fitzgerald Sings The Harold Arlen Song Book Vol. 1 (1964)
Verve Records LP 12" MONO: V-4057 - Ella Fitzgerald Sings The Harold Arlen Song Book Vol. 1 (1964)
Verve Records CD: 314 817 527-2 - Ella Fitzgerald Sings The Harold Arlen Song Book Vol. 1 (1989)
Verve Records Double CD: 314 589 108-2 - Ella Fitzgerald Sings The Harold Arlen Song Book (2001)
b. 26,922-4 Let's Fall In Love - 04:01 (Harold Arlen, Theodore "Ted" Koehler)
Verve Records LP 12" STEREO: V6-4046-2 - Ella Fitzgerald Sings The Harold Arlen Song Book (1961)
Verve Records LP 12" MONO: V-4046-2 - Ella Fitzgerald Sings The Harold Arlen Song Book (1961)
Verve Records Reel-to-reel Tape STEREO (4 T): VSTP-254 - Ella Fitzgerald Sings The Harold Arlen Song Book (1961)
His Master Voice LP 12" MONO: CLP 1479 - Ella Fitzgerald Sings The Harold Arlen Song Book Vol. 1 (1962)
Verve Records LP 12" STEREO: V6-4057 - Ella Fitzgerald Sings The Harold Arlen Song Book Vol. 1 (1964)
Verve Records LP 12" MONO: V-4057 - Ella Fitzgerald Sings The Harold Arlen Song Book Vol. 1 (1964)
Verve Records CD: 314 817 527-2 - Ella Fitzgerald Sings The Harold Arlen Song Book Vol. 1 (1989)
Verve Records Double CD: 314 589 108-2 - Ella Fitzgerald Sings The Harold Arlen Song Book (2001)
c. 26,923-5 Happiness Is A Thing Called Joe - 03:28 (Harold Arlen, Edgar Yipsel Harburg)
Verve Records LP 12" STEREO: V6-4046-2 - Ella Fitzgerald Sings The Harold Arlen Song Book (1961)
Verve Records LP 12" MONO: V-4046-2 - Ella Fitzgerald Sings The Harold Arlen Song Book (1961)
Verve Records Reel-to-reel Tape STEREO (4 T): VSTP-254 - Ella Fitzgerald Sings The Harold Arlen Song Book (1961)
His Master Voice LP 12" MONO: CLP 1480 - Ella Fitzgerald Sings The Harold Arlen Song Book Vol. 2 (1962)
Verve Records LP 12" STEREO: V6-4058 - Ella Fitzgerald Sings The Harold Arlen Song Book Vol. 1 (1964)
Verve Records LP 12" MONO: V-4058 - Ella Fitzgerald Sings The Harold Arlen Song Book Vol. 2 (1964)
Verve Records CD: 314 817 528-2 - Ella Fitzgerald Sings The Harold Arlen Song Book Vol. 2 (1989)
Verve Records Double CD: 314 589 108-2 - Ella Fitzgerald Sings The Harold Arlen Song Book (2001)
d. 26,924-6 Out Of This World - 02:41 (Harold Arlen, John Herndon "Johnny" Mercer)
Verve Records LP 12" STEREO: V6-4046-2 - Ella Fitzgerald Sings The Harold Arlen Song Book (1961)
Verve Records LP 12" MONO: V-4046-2 - Ella Fitzgerald Sings The Harold Arlen Song Book (1961)
Verve Records Reel-to-reel Tape STEREO (4 T): VSTP-254 - Ella Fitzgerald Sings The Harold Arlen Song Book (1961)
His Master Voice LP 12" MONO: CLP 1480 - Ella Fitzgerald Sings The Harold Arlen Song Book Vol. 2 (1962)
Verve Records LP 12" STEREO: V6-4058 - Ella Fitzgerald Sings The Harold Arlen Song Book Vol. 1 (1964)
Verve Records LP 12" MONO: V-4058 - Ella Fitzgerald Sings The Harold Arlen Song Book Vol. 2 (1964)
Verve Records CD: 314 817 528-2 - Ella Fitzgerald Sings The Harold Arlen Song Book Vol. 2 (1989)
Verve Records Double CD: 314 589 108-2 - Ella Fitzgerald Sings The Harold Arlen Song Book (2001)
e. 26,925-2 Come Rain Or Come Shine - 03:21 (Harold Arlen, John Herndon "Johnny" Mercer)
Verve Records LP 12" STEREO: V6-4046-2 - Ella Fitzgerald Sings The Harold Arlen Song Book (1961)
Verve Records LP 12" MONO: V-4046-2 - Ella Fitzgerald Sings The Harold Arlen Song Book (1961)
Verve Records Reel-to-reel Tape STEREO (4 T): VSTP-254 - Ella Fitzgerald Sings The Harold Arlen Song Book (1961)
His Master Voice LP 12" MONO: CLP 1480 - Ella Fitzgerald Sings The Harold Arlen Song Book Vol. 2 (1962)
Verve Records LP 12" STEREO: V6-4058 - Ella Fitzgerald Sings The Harold Arlen Song Book Vol. 1 (1964)
Verve Records LP 12" MONO: V-4058 - Ella Fitzgerald Sings The Harold Arlen Song Book Vol. 2 (1964)
Verve Records CD: 314 817 528-2 - Ella Fitzgerald Sings The Harold Arlen Song Book Vol. 2 (1989)
Verve Records Double CD: 314 589 108-2 - Ella Fitzgerald Sings The Harold Arlen Song Book (2001)

 

Recording Sessions
​

____________________________________________________________________________________

Monday, 1 August 1960

Trumpet: Don Fagerquist
Tenor Saxophones: Plas Johnson, Ted Nash
Piano: Paul Smith
Guitar: Al Hendrickson or John Collins
Bass: Joe Mondragon
Drums: Alvin Stoller

Arrangements: Billy May.

Recorded at Capitol Records, Los Angeles.

600801-1 26729-6 Hooray for Love
600801-2 26730-7 When the Sun Comes Out
600801-3 26731-6 As Long as I Live
600801-4 26732-4 (It’s Only a) Paper Moon
600801-5 26733-7 The Man That Got Away
600801-6 26734-5 Ac-Cent-Tchu-Ate the Positive
600801-7 26735-4 This Time the Dream’s on Me (Rejected)
600801-8 26736-1 I’ve Got the World on a String
(All tracks, except “This Time the Dream’s on Me,” on LPD-64)

____________________________________________________________________________________

Tuesday, 2 August 1960

Tenor Saxophone: Ted Nash;
Piano: Paul Smith;
Guitar: Al Hendrickson or John Collins;
Bass: Joe Mondragon;
Drums: Alvin Stoller;

Arrangements: Billy May.

Recorded at Capitol Records, Los Angeles.

600802-1 26737-1 Get Happy! (LPD-86)
600802-2 26738-4 Sing, My Heart
600802-3 26738-alt Sing, My Heart
600802-4 26739-3 Ding-Dong! The Witch Is Dead!
600802-5 26740-3 Let’s Take a Walk Around the Block
600802-6 26740-alt Let’s Take a Walk Around the Block
(All tracks on LPD-64)

____________________________________________________________________________________

Saturday, 14 January 1961

Trumpets: Frank Beach, Don Fagerquist, Conrad Gozzo, Joe Triscari
Trombones: Milton Bernhart, Edward Kusby, Richard Noel
Bass Trombone: George Roberts
Alto Saxophone: Benny Carter
Tenor Saxophone: Plas Johnson
Baritone Saxophone: Chuck Gentry
Woodwinds: Justin Gordon, Wilbur Schwartz
Piano: Lou Levy
Guitar: Herb Ellis
Basses: Wilfred Middlebrooks, Joe Mondragon
Drums: Alvin Stoller

Arrangements: Billy May.

Recorded at Radio Recorders, Los Angeles.

610114-1 26909-5 That Old Black Magic
610114-2 26910-5 Blues in the Night (EP: Verve EP 5073)
610114-3 26911-4 I Gotta Right to Sing the Blues
610114-4 26912-5 Stormy Weather
610114-5 26913-2 One for My Baby (EP: Verve EP 5073)
(All tracks on LPD-64)

____________________________________________________________________________________

Sunday, 15 January 1961

Violins: Misha Russell (concertmaster), Israel Baker, Jacques Gasselin, Ben Gill, Murray Kellner, Dan Lube, Erno Neufeld,
Lou Raderman, Nathan Ross, Marshall Sosson, Joseph Stepansky, Gerald Vinci
Violas: Alvin Dinken, Lou Kievman, Virginia Majewski, Paul Robyn
Cellos: Armand Kaproff, Ray Kramer, Edgar Lustgarten, Eleanor Slatkin

Trumpet: Don Fagerquist
Trombone: Milt Bernhart
Alto Saxophone: Benny Carter
Tenor Saxophone: Plas Johnson
Baritone Saxophone: Chuck Gentry
Harp Verlye Brilhart
Piano:Lou Levy
Guitar: Herb Ellis
Basses: Wilfred Middlebrooks, Joe Mondragon
Drums: Alvin Stoller

Arrangers: Billy May, Russ Garcia,* Walter Sheets.**

Recorded at Radio Recorders Annex, Los Angeles.
610115-1 26915-3 My Shining Hour
610115-2 26916-3 Ill Wind
610115-3 26917-7 Over the Rainbow
610115-4 26918-6 This Time the Dream’s on Me
610115-5 26919-1 It Was Written in the Stars** (spliced take)
610115-6 26920-2 Heart and Soul (LPD-86)
(All tracks, except the last, “Heart and Soul,” on LPD-64)

Note: Some discographies list a title “Lost It for Me” as having been
recorded at this session, assigning it the master number, 26914-2. The
author can find no evidence of this recording, nor, indeed, a song with
this title by Harold Arlen or any other composer.

 

After Ella's Gershwin set, this is my favorite of her "songbooks"

 

Gershwin's songbook, as well as this one by Arlen, are my favorites. I can't prefer one over another. After them comes the Irving Berlin songbook, where Paul Weston did an efficient and beautiful job.

Nelson was a complete professional, but I find Billy May's sensitivity to female vocalists very interesting. For this and other reasons, I love his album with Ella.

 

I know this is an older thread, but does anybody have the 1984 Verve 2-LP vinyl reissue, and how do you like the pressing since it's more readily available than the original pressings. I assume it uses the original masters.
Ella Fitzgerald – Ella Fitzgerald Sings The Harold Arlen Song Book (1984, Vinyl)

 

Spinning this now in honor of Billy May's 106th birthday. Probably my favorite of the songbook albums!

 

Which release? If you have the 1984 Verve release, do you like it?

Happy birthday, Billy. If you're a Billy May fan, check out the Time-Life The Swing Era series. Billy May and Glenn Gray arranged and conducted many of the tracks.

 

I have the 2001 CD.

Sorry, no LP. A wise teenage me would have grabbed one in 1984!

 

The first songbook album by Cole Porter and the Ellington and Gershwin sets get more attention, but the Arlen set really is one of the best ones in the series, a truly great album.