Ella Fitzgerald: Swinging Xmas

Each December since 2008, I've selected a different album for the JazzWax Vintage Holiday Album Hall of Fame. I established this modest institution largely out of frustration. I love holiday music, but so few albums are perfect. For an album to resonate from start to finish, it has to have swing, smart song arrangements and warm vocals. My vintage pick this year is Ella Fitzgerald's Ella Wishes You a Swinging Christmas.

Arranged and conducted by Frank De Vol and recorded for Verve on July 15 and 16, 1960 at New York's Fine Sound studio, the album has it all—charm, nostalgia and Ella's soulful cheer. Unlike many holiday albums, you don't feel compelled to shop when you hear it. You feel like curling up in front of a fireplace with a loved one or opening a book.

Unfortunately, the personnel in De Vol's band for this session has never been nailed down. Someone should set aside some time and do the research with the union records. There's a lot of great playing here by musicians who have gone unheralded for decades.

Here's Ella's Sleigh Ride, which, to my ear, features J.J. Johnson on the trombone solos. De Vol's spirited arrangement and Ella's honey-rich voice ahead of the beat creates the sensation of velocity. Meanwhile, the swing here rocks the sleigh...

Now meet the rest of the JazzWax Vintage Holiday Album Hall of Fame family, in order of their induction and linked to Amazon...

2015—Two albums with the same name: Bobby Timmons' Holiday Soul and Don Patterson's Holiday Soul. Both trio albums were recorded for Prestige in Nov. 1964—the former on the 24th and the latter on the 25th.

2014—Herb Alpert & the Tijuana Brass: Christmas Album (1968).

2013—Steve Lawrence and Eydie Gorme's That Holiday Feeling! (1964).

Here are albums that have already been inducted into the JazzWax Holiday Album Hall of Fame... - See more at: http://ift.tt/1qhbTlo

2012—Duke Pearson: Merry Ole Soul (1969).

2011—Urbie Green: A Cool Yule Tide (1954). Way out of print, I'm afraid, but here's a track...

Winter Wonderland

2010—Eddie Higgins: Christmas Songs (2004).


2009—June Christy: This Time of Year (1961).


2008—Jo Stafford's Happy Holidays: I Love the Winter Weather (1950s).

Bonus: Here's one of my favorite all-time holiday tracks—Jo Stafford's By the Fireside, from her Ski Trails (1956) album with the Starlighters, arranged by husband Paul Weston...

       

from JazzWax http://ift.tt/2gz4ha3