20th CENTURY MASTERWORKS COLOURED VINYL SERIES ELLA FITZGERALD sings THE ESSENTIAL COLE PORTER SONG BOOK (180gram YELLOW VINYL) Includes new specially prepared liner notes by Penguin Guide to Jazzs writer BRIAN MORTON and by Paris prestigious JAZZ MAGAZINE. Ellas songbook albums for Verve were among Norman Granzs great successes, and The Cole Porter Songbook became the commercial rock on which Verve was built. PENGUIN GUIDE TO JAZZ The ease with which Ella Fitzgerald interprets these timeless songs is hardly indicative of it, but this album was nonetheless a turning point for the singer. JAZZ MAGAZINE PARIS Ella Fitzgerald had the ability to personalize some of the most recognizable material from the foremost songwriters in American popular music history. In this instance, the combination of Cole Porter's words and Fitzgerald's interpretation of them created one of the most sought-after sessions in vocal history embraced by jazz and pop fans alike, transcending boundaries often associated with those genres. (Al Campbell AllMusic) ELLA FITZGERALD, vocals. Music & Lyrics by COLE PORTER Orchestra conducted and arranged by Buddy Bregman Collective personnel: Pete Candoli, Harry "Sweets" Edison, Maynard Ferguson, Conrad Gozzo (tp), Milt Bernhart, Joe Howard, Lloyd Ulyate (tb), George Roberts (b-tb), Herb Geller, Bud Shank (as), Bob Cooper, Ted Nash (ts), Chuck Gentry (bar), Paul Smith (p), Barney Kessel (g), Joe Mondragon (b), Alvin Stoller (d), plus String Section. Produced by NORMAN GRANZ, Los Angeles 1956