First Lady of Song

Ella Fitzgerald for the Record

By: Geoffrey Mark Fidelman

Narrated by: Geoffrey Mark Fidelman

Ella Fitzgerald. The name alone conjures up images of the Savoy Ballroom; of the Chick Webb, Duke Ellington, and Count Basie bands; of hot jazz, sweet ballads, and a genuinely unique presence. Ella Fitzgerald, an artist who was called a national treasure - and no one ever disputed the laudation - has continued to captivate an international audience for more than 50 years. Her inimitable voice was heard in intimate clubs, in concerts, on radio and television, and continues to be heard on countless recordings.

First Lady of Song is a celebration of her life and work. Here are revived memories of duets with Frank Sinatra, harmonizing with Dinah Shore, and solo triumphs at Carnegie Hall.

©1994 Geoffrey Mark Fidelman (P)1998 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Critic reviews

"[A] ‘labor of love and respect’ [which] illuminates Fitzgerald’s elusive personality…. Required reading for jazz fans." ( Booklist)

"In this labor of love, Fidelman chronicles the singer’s scores of best-selling recordings and countless awards and, in later years, her being presented to heads of state and working as spokesperson in commercials for Memorex." ( Library Journal)

Fanboy discography

The author is obviously a huge fan, and seems at pains not to say a bad word about Ella, which stretches credibility pretty seriously when it gets to her later performances. A lot of the book is discography and concert listings - although inevitably a part of such biographies, it seems a bit excessive here. Possibly that is to pad things out - as the author is at pains to declare in the introduction, this is an unauthorised biography, and a lot of people were not willing to be interviewed on the record.

Not a great book for such a wonderful singer.

Disappointing Biography

This was a disappointing read. Ella's story was interesting but the book was not engaging.

Beautifully written

I loved learning more about an artist I really love and admire. She was the quintessential example of a vocalist who loved what she did. Happy to hear about her experiences but sad to read about her life’s end. Good biographical text. Still wish however there was an autobiography to weigh the realities of it all and hear the story of her life from her own point of view.