Ella Fitzgerald Sings the Johnny Mercer Song Book


Ella Fitzgerald Sings the Johnny Mercer Song Book is a 1964 studio album by the American jazz singer Ella Fitzgerald, with the Nelson Riddle Orchestra, focusing on the songs of Johnny Mercer. It was recorded in Los Angeles, California. This is Fitzgerald's fifth and final collaboration with Riddle during her years on the Verve label.
The album is notable as Fitzgerald's only Song Book to concentrate on the work of a lyricist. Riddle's lush arrangements interact most beautifully with Fitzgerald on ballads like "Midnight Sun" and "Skylark". Fitzgerald's impeccable swing is most evident on "Something's Gotta Give" and "Too Marvelous for Words".

Track listing

For the 1964 Verve LP release; Verve V6-4067; Re-issued in 1984 on CD, Verve-PolyGram 823 247-2
Side One:
  1. "Too Marvelous for Words" – 2:31
  2. "Early Autumn" – 3:51
  3. "Day In, Day Out" – 2:49
  4. "Laura" – 3:43
  5. "This Time the Dream's on Me" – 2:54
  6. "Skylark" – 3:12
  7. "Single-O" – 3:19
Side Two:
  1. "Something's Gotta Give" – 2:33
  2. "Trav'lin' Light" – 3:47
  3. "Midnight Sun" – 4:55
  4. "Dream" – 2:58
  5. "I Remember You" – 3:38
  6. "When a Woman Loves a Man" – 3:51
All lyrics by Johnny Mercer, composers between brackets.

Personnel

Recorded October 19–21, 1964 at Radio Recorders Studio 10-H, Hollywood: