ELLA FITZGERALD — Whisper Not (1966-2002) RM | LP Reproduction Series | Two Version | FLAC (image+.tracks+.cue), lossless

Whoever decided to put pianist Marty Paich and Ella Fitzgerald together in the studio in 1966 deserves a bit of credit for the great music on Whisper Not. Together, Fitzgerald and Paich deliver a dozen beautifully sung, carefully arranged standards. An orchestra tastefully backs Fitzgerald's vocals, offering cushy support without overdoing it. Even lighter pieces like "Sweet Georgia Brown" and "Old MacDonald" are given stately renditions. There's a fun version of "I Said No," filled with silly double entendres, and a relaxed take on "Thanks for the Memory." Norman Granz takes full advantage of stereo capabilities, creatively mixing the instruments to the right and left tracks while leaving Fitzgerald's voice front and center. Paich adds to the overall sound quality by varying the arrangements from song to song, carefully wrapping each tune in the right package. These fine-tuned arrangements also provide the perfect launching pad for Fitzgerald to place her own stamp on material associated with other singers. While both "Lover Man (Oh Where Can You Be)" and "You've Changed" will be recognized as Billie Holiday classics, Fitzgerald delivers light, elegant versions that are distinctly her own. Whisper Not captures two intelligent artists working toward a common goal and creating beautiful music in the process. Ronnie D. Lankford
Tracklist :
1. Sweet Georgia Brown 3:35
 Ben Bernie / Kenneth Casey / Maceo Pinkard
2. Whisper Not 3:04
 Leonard Feather / Benny Golson
3. I Said No 4:04
 Frank Loesser / Jule Styne
4. Thanks for the Memory 4:05
 Ralph Rainger / Leo Robin
5. Spring Can Really Hang You Up the Most 3:51
 Fran Landesman / Tommy Wolf
6. Old MacDonald 2:19
  Traditional
7. Time After Time 3:31
 Sammy Cahn / Jule Styne
8. You've Changed 3:19
 Bill Carey / Carl Fischer
9. I've Got Your Number 3:16
 Cy Coleman / Carolyn Leigh
10. Lover Man (Oh Where Can You Be?) 4:24
 Jimmy Davis / Roger "Ram" Ramirez / Jimmy Sherman
11. Wives and Lovers 2:24
 Burt Bacharach / Hal David
12. Matchmaker 2:49
 Jerry Bock / Sheldon Harnick
Credits :
Ella Fitzgerald - Vocal
Marty Paich - Piano, Arranger
Chuck Berghofer - Double Bass
Louie Bellson - Drums
Harry "Sweets" Edison - Trumpet
Shelly Manne - Drums
Joe Mondragon - Double Bass
Bill Perkins - Tenor Saxophone
Jimmy Rowles - Piano
Al Viola - Guitar
Stu Williamson - Trumpet

ZOOT SIMS - Quietly There : Zoot Sims Plays Johnny Mandel (1984) RM | Digibook | WV (image+.cue), lossless

Norman Granz's idea to match Zoot Sims' lyrical, swinging tenor sax with Johnny Mandel's equally arresting compositions was a masterful one. Sims' tart, alternately lush and furious solos were wonderfully spotlighted on such tunes as "Cinnamon and Cloves," "Emily" and "Zoot." The six-tune session, recently issued on CD, also contains effective piano solos from Mike Wofford. The date's tour-de-force was its final selection, the wonderful "Low Life," which Sims probed, illuminated and ultimately redefined via his solo. Ron Wynn
Tracklist :
1     Cinnamon and Cloves 5:45
Alan Bergman / Johnny Mandel    
2     A Time for Love 7:48
Johnny Mandel / Paul Francis Webster    
3     Zoot 6:50
Johnny Mandel    
4     Quietly There 6:08
Morgan Ames / Johnny Mandel    
5     Emily 9:44
Johnny Mandel / Johnny Mercer    
6     Low Life 6:18
Johnny Mandel
Credits :
Bass – Chuck Berghofer
Drums – Nick Ceroli
Percussion – Victor Feldman
Piano – Mike Wofford
Producer – Norman Granz
Tenor Saxophone – Zoot Sims