Title: Great Collection - But Who Is the Arranger/Conductor?
Product review: Geoffrey Mark Fidelman's comment about the arranger/conductor on this welcome addition to the great American Songbook prompted a little dialogue on this issue. The record album never indicated the musical conductor or arranger. However, if I were to hazard a guess, in my opinion the orchestra and chorus is much more reminiscent of Frank DeVol's backing in Ella's Verve Christmas album.I will skip the platitudes in praising Ella's performance since that has been covered so well in other reviews.My choice for the star of the collection is "Somebody Somewhere." It's one of those quirky tunes that is not likely to linger in one's memory for very long. However, when heard as the final number on this CD, it keeps going round and round in my head for quite a while.There appears to be two alternate takes offered on the CD - most notably in the coda of "Steam Heat" and around and including the bridge of "Guy and Dolls." No big issue, just an observation.
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