LA Times Article - I Guess It Belongs Here

[Surfer Joe]

Sheriff, probably the seminal collection of Gershwin's songs- and you should have it RIGHT NOW, put everything else aside, this guy is a serious candidate for America's greatest songwriter (along with Brian and a few others)- is Ella Fitzgerald's, with Nelson Riddle from her "songbook" series:

http://www.amazon.com/Ella-Fitzgerald-Sings-Gershwin-Songbook/dp/B000006P6L/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1255158036&sr=8-3

Don't get a cut-down version, you need all of it.  As a matter of fact, if you're feeling frisky, go for the whole Ella songbook box set- it's as essential as it gets:

http://www.amazon.com/Complete-Ella-Fitzgerald-Song-Books/dp/B0000046RN/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1255158158&sr=8-1

By far the best deal on this set is at the former BMG/Columbia Record Club- and they're a good deal anyway:

http://www.yourmusic.com/browse/album/Ella-Fitzgerald--The-Complete-Ella-Fitzgerald-Song-Books-22029.html?cname=BROWSE_DISCO_684_ALBUMS

One caveat: Ella is not always at her best in such large doses. Listen to one disc at a time.

Another good selection of Gershwin material, to be had cheaply:

http://www.amazon.com/Fascinatin-Rhythm-Capitol-George-Gershwin/dp/B00000DRCX/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1255158389&sr=1-1

And you might also consider picking up on the Miles Davis version of "Porgy And Bess".

One last suggestion- Erroll Garner, the guy who wrote "Misty", maybe the greatest jazz pianist who ever lived, turned a number of Gershwin (and Jerome Kern) songs into virtual concert pieces here in just a few minutes each- his impressionistic version of "Love Walked In" will make your toes curl- seriously one of the most spine-tingling, beautiful things I've ever heard in my entire life:

http://www.amazon.com/Magician-Gershwin-Kern-Erroll-Garner/dp/B000003D3Z/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1255155140&sr=1-2

Absolutely stunning. I'd give anything if I could post it for discussion. Hit the link and listen to the samples.

For more help hit me up privately.

[Sheriff John Stone]

Thanks for the links, Surfer Joe. I'm a big Ella fan. In addition to the Ella Fitzgerald & Louis Armstrong CD, I also have Ella's Christmas album, which I've already listened to this year!

A little off-topic (just for this one question, I promise.... , but did you ever see the video/performance of "The Lady Is A Tramp" with Ella and Frank Sinatra from Sinatra's TV special in 1967?

[variable2]

Ella singing The Man I Love with arrangement by Nelson Riddle is my fav.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z9Lnan4lZ9Y

[TdHabib]

I guess I oughta broaden my horizons, huh?

It's not easy but that's actually something I try to do constantly. There's a whole world of music to enjoy that one's defense system just rejects---the knee jerk--trust me, it's a miracle I can enjoy the odd Ravi Shankar thing now and again.

Yeah, you're right, Td.

So, what Gershwin CD do you enjoy the most? 

Didn't say this, but I have one called "Gershwin plays Gershwin" that's darn good...and that's the extent of my Gershwin collection!

[Wirestone]

I couldn't find an online version, but for goodness' sake, try to listen to the Second Rhapsody. It's one of his least-known orchestral pieces (with piano), and it's also oddly Smile like in places. It's awesome.

[Surfer Joe]

Thanks for the links, Surfer Joe. I'm a big Ella fan. In addition to the Ella Fitzgerald & Louis Armstrong CD, I also have Ella's Christmas album, which I've already listened to this year!

A little off-topic (just for this one question, I promise.... , but did you ever see the video/performance of "The Lady Is A Tramp" with Ella and Frank Sinatra from Sinatra's TV special in 1967?

Just back from a short trip- I think I have that special on an old VHS tape, along with a lot of other old Sinatra TV stuff.  If I've seen it it's been around ten years.  Do I need to dig it out, or is it on YouTube?

By the way, those aren't suggestions above- I will harangue and harass you and move into your neighborhood and raise smelly livestock upwind of you until you comply with me.  This music belongs in your ears. 

I'll tell a SMiLE story that makes my point when I'm less burned out and tired.

Incidentally, this unfinished Gershwin thing has been done before: when Billy Wilder made his (disastrous flop) film "Kiss Me, Stupid" in 1964 about two struggling songwriters, Ira Gershwin volunteered and supplied (and either finished or reworked) a bunch of stray songs he and his brother had left behind, as the work of the two characters in the film.  I think one I recall was called "You're A Scrambled Egg", or something like that.  Would have fit nicely with Brian's 1967 direction. In the film they get demo'd for Dino.  Just wanted to type that.