A striking two-CD set featuring arguably history's finest jazz singer singing some of the best-written American pop standards on one of jazz's most prolific labels. Ella Fitzgerald shines as the perfect interpreter of Cole Porter's bittersweet love songs on these 35 tracks from the Verve archives. Recorded and released on LP in 1956, Ella is joined by such luminaries as Bing Crosby, Judy Garland, and Billie Holiday and is backed by jazz legends such as Artie Shaw and Buddy Bregman who envelop the vocalist in lush arrangements of these bright pop standards. In the Verve tradition, the packaging is in-depth and the original liner notes by Norman Granz are reproduced faithfully, evoking that classic LP feel. This collection is one of those rare albums that can be treated as a terrific introduction to a classic artist, as well as remaining a treasured recording for the most scholarly jazz aficionados. ~ Zac Johnson, All Music Guide
