[Dixielandjazz] Ella Fitzgerald reviewed

[Robert Ringwald]

All That Jazz: Early Ella
The Complete Chick Webb and Ella Fitzgerald Decca Sessions 1934-1941 (Mosaic)
by Tom Von Malder
Camden (Maine) Herald, November 6, 2013
This 8-CD, 187-track collection celebrates a wonderful confluence in life and music.
Webb, an innovative drummer and bandleader, and his wife, Sally, rescued Fitzgerald
from the streets when she was 16. When she joined his band, the world was let in
on the beginning of a remarkable, 60-year jazz vocal career. The collaboration also
helped preserve Webb's work. His life, ravaged by the birth defects that led to his
passing at age 37, probably would have been forgotten except to those who saw him
perform.
Prior to Fitzgerald joining the band, Webb had recorded 23 instrumental tracks,
13 of which are included here. They are solid examples of the big band swing era,
ones in which you can pick out those composed by the exceptional just by sound. For
example, there is Benny Goodman's co-written "Don't Be That Way." Fitzgerald, who
originally shared vocals with Charles Linton, was special. She came to Webb without
a permanent address and inexperienced, but within two years, she would eclipse her
mentor. Webb's label, Decca, recognized Fitzgerald's talents too and made sure she
was featured on four out of every five of the band's records. The Webbs had become
her legal guardians, one of the reasons she stayed with the band rather than immediately
going solo. In fact, she stayed on after Webb's untimely death and 59 tracks on this
collection are her performing with the full band and smaller ensembles that remained
together for two years after his death.
Decca was formed in August 1934 and immediately signed the Webb Orchestra. Fitzgerald
arrived in March 1935 and began recording three months later. A short six months
later, the swing era broke wide open, a national shift in musical taste creating
a huge new market for big band jazz. It also integrated the fan base of popular music.
Webb specially tuned each of his drums religiously, and meticulously replaced the
heads at the first sign of wear. He used cowbells, woodblocks and rim shots for color
and accenting. Afflicted with spinal tuberculosis as a child that left him hunchbacked,
stiff and less than five feet tall, Webb overcame his physical limitations with his
creativity, musicality, showmanship, personality and leadership. He provided the
glue that held his explosive ensemble together from his elevated platform at the
center of the bandstand. While he was unable to sustain extended solos, Webb made
up for it with his subtle phrasing techniques and sparkling dynamics. And, as you
listen to the set, one can hear Fitzgerald growing into her voice. All of her early
hits are included: –"Sing Me a Swing Song," "You'll Have to Swing It (aka Mr. Paganini),"
"Darktown Strutter's Ball" and "A-Tisket, A-Tasket." There also are two tracks featuring
Fitzgerald with the Mills Brothers in a cappella renditions of "Big Boy Blue" and
"Dedicated to You."
During the 12 years covered here, the sideman include some names that also would
become very well known, among them Louis Jordan, Benny Carter, Taft Jordan, Bobby
Stark, John Kirby, Hilton Jefferson, Wayman Carver, John Trueheart, Mario Bauza,
Pete Clark, Chauncey Haughton, Garvin Bushell and Edgar Sampson (also the band's
full-time arranger). Others like Ram Ramirez and Eddie Barefield joined in the post-Webb
years, when the ensemble became known as Ella Fitzgerald and Her Orchestra.
Set producer Scott Wenzel sought out the best quality master or physical item available.
Whether that be a mint American Decca 78, a vinyl test pressing, or an Australian
Decca release with their smoother surfaces not found in most American Deccas, Wenzel
was unsurpassed in his pursuit of excellence. The 38-page booklet that accompanies
the set is filled with many rare photographs, exceptionally detailed notes by John
McDonough, senior contributor for Down Beat magazine, and the intensely researched
and detailed track-by-track session information. The remarkable memory of arranger
Van Alexander, the one surviving participant in these sessions, helped keep the complex
and elusive information as accurate as possible.
One sets about creating holiday gift guides this time of the year. This certainly
would be a must for any big band aficionado. This is an edition limited to 5,000
copies and can be ordered at
http://www.mosaicrecords.com
-30-


-Bob Ringwald K6YBV
www.ringwald.com
916/ 806-9551

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Oh, I grant you that the wheel was also a fine invention, 
but the wheel does not go nearly as well with pizza." -Dave Barry