The Moment of Truth: Ella at the Coliseum

[mjzee]

Release date February 28:

Ella Fitzgerald virtually invented the live album. Her performances were so consistently great that almost any live show was special enough to release as a record. For Ella Fitzgerald, every night was The Moment of Truth. In the summer of 1967, Ella Fitzgerald was in the middle of a three-year touring and recording collaboration with Duke Ellington and was incorporating hit pop songs of the late-60s into her concert repertoire - two of which are presented here for the first time on record.

[JSngry]

Is she doing this gig without accompaniment?

[jazzbo]

On 2/13/2025 at 9:58 PM, JSngry said:

Is she doing this gig without accompaniment?

"Tapes were unearthed in the private tape collection of Verve Records founder Norman Granz - mixed directly from 4-track tapes recorded by Wally Heider - resulting in higher-fidelity audio than most ‘lost’ recordings. This album Includes the first Ella recordings of the hit songs “Alfie” and “Music to Watch Girls By” and her band features the rarely-heard but hard-swinging trio of Jimmy Jones, Bob Cranshaw and Sam Woodyard. The Ellington band captured here was at its peak, featuring Cat Anderson, Cootie Williams, Harry Carney, Paul Gonsalves, Jimmy Hamilton, Johnny Hodges and Russell Procope."

"This newly unearthed live album, The Moment of Truth: Ella at the Coliseum, showcases Ella Fitzgerald’s timeless vocal brilliance, supported by a stellar trio featuring Jimmy Jones on piano, Bob Cranshaw on bass, and Sam Woodyard on drums. Adding to the magic, members of Duke Ellington’s Orchestra elevate the performance to legendary status. The trumpet section includes Cat Anderson, Mercer Ellington, Herbie Jones, and Cootie Williams, while the trombones are masterfully handled by Lawrence Brown, Chuck Connors, and Buster Cooper. The reeds bring their own dynamic flair with Harry Carney, Paul Gonsalves, Jimmy Hamilton, Johnny Hodges, and Russell Procope. Together, this extraordinary ensemble delivers an unforgettable concert experience that highlights the finest in jazz artistry."

 

https://www.everythingjazz.com/story/ella-fitzgeralds-moment-of-truth/

Edited March 1 by jazzbo

[mr jazz]

Nice release with Ella in a good mood! SQ on the HR dl is good for the times.

[felser]

Hope to pick this up eventually, sounds good.

[GA Russell]

ELLA FITZGERALD’S UNEARTHED LIVE CONCERT ALBUM RELEASED   THE MOMENT OF TRUTH: ELLA AT THE COLISEUM OUT NOW FEBRUARY 28TH ON VERVE RECORDS   THE FIRST LADY OF SONG MEETS THE DUKE’S MEN ALBUM RECORDED AT 1967 CONCERT WITH MEMBERS OF THE DUKE ELLINGTON ORCHESTRA   “IN A MELLOW TONE” ANIMATED MUSIC VIDEO OUT NOW WATCH Early Praise for The Moment Of Truth:   “Ella packed the house and still packed a punch.” — Jazz Weekly   “One of the countless examples of Ella Fitzgerald thrilling an audience with her talents.” — LIFE   “Ella sounds exuberant.” — WRTI   “A glorious celebration of Fitzgerald’s genius” MOJO ★★★★   ““Another remarkable musical treasure has emerged from the vaults of Verve Records.” — Jazzwise (March ‘25 issue) ★★★★   February 28, 2025 — Today, Verve Records shares a new and never-before-released live concert album from the First Lady Of Song, Ella Fitzgerald. The Moment of Truth: Ella At The Coliseum, is out now on all formats. The recordings were mixed and mastered in stunning clarity from the original analog multitrack tapes, resulting in pristine high-fidelity audio typically unheard of for a live concert recording of that era. Listen to the album here and watch the animated music video for “In A Mellow Tone,” directed by Sharon Liu, here.   The Moment Of Truth: Ella At The Coliseum was recorded at the Oakland Coliseum on June 30, 1967, and was recently unearthed in the private tape collection of Verve Records founder Norman Granz. The album spans nine tracks, most never heard before, and features Ella accompanied by members of The Duke Ellington Orchestra at its prime. The resulting recordings underscore Ella’s reputation as a renowned live performer (“utter perfection, personified” —The New York Times). There was never a moment when Ella didn’t deliver; every night was her Moment of Truth.   This live album marks a particularly interesting time in Ella’s career. In the summer of 1967, she was in the middle of an especially rewarding three-year tour run and recording collaboration with Duke Ellington, and was incorporating hit pop songs of the late-60s into her concert repertoire—two of which are presented here for the first time on record; “Alfie” and “Music To Watch Girls By” are both standouts on The Moment of Truth: Ella At The Coliseum. Encouraged by members of The Duke Ellington Orchestra on stage with her, Ella is both playful and powerful— she cracks jokes with the audience before stunning them with her unrivaled voice.   Ella’s band includes the rarely-heard but hard-swinging trio of Jimmy Jones, Bob Cranshaw, and Sam Woodyard, while the Ellington band captured here at its peak, featured Cat Anderson, Cootie Williams, Harry Carney, Paul Gonsalves, Jimmy Hamilton, Johnny Hodges and Russell Procope. The First Lady Of Song meets The Duke’s Men — and it’s something to behold. THE MOMENT OF TRUTH: ELLA AT THE COLISEUM   1. The Moment Of Truth - 2:52 2. Don’t Be That Way - 4:33 3. You’ve Changed - 4:37 4. Let’s Do It (Let’s Fall In Love) - 4:43 5. Bye Bye Blackbird - 5:02 6. Alfie - 5:43 7. In A Mellow Tone - 4:41 8. Music To Watch Girls By - 3:56 9. Mack The Knife - 4:53 Recorded at The Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum Arena, Oakland, CA on June 30, 1967.   BAND DETAILS: Ella Fitzgerald – vocals   The trio: Jimmy Jones – piano Bob Cranshaw – bass Sam Woodyard – drums   Members of Duke Ellington’s Orchestra: Trumpets: Cat Anderson, Mercer Ellington, Herbie Jones, Cootie Williams Trombones: Lawrence Brown, Chuck Connors, Buster Cooper Reeds: Harry Carney, Paul Gonsalves, Jimmy Hamilton, Johnny Hodges, Russell Procope     # Artist and Track Title Time       1. Ella Fitzgerald - The Moment Of Truth - Live At The Coliseum / Oakland CA / June 30 1967 (Live At The Coliseum) 02:52       2. Ella Fitzgerald - Don’t Be That Way - Live At The Coliseum / Oakland CA / June 30 1967 (Live At The Coliseum) 04:34       3. Ella Fitzgerald - You’ve Changed - Live At The Coliseum / Oakland CA / June 30 1967 (Live At The Coliseum) 04:37       4. Ella Fitzgerald - Let’s Do It (Let’s Fall In Love) - Live At The Coliseum / Oakland CA / June 30 1967 (Live At The Coliseum) 04:43       5. Ella Fitzgerald - Bye Bye Blackbird - Live At The Coliseum / Oakland CA / June 30 1967 (Live At The Coliseum) 05:02       6. Ella Fitzgerald - Alfie - Live At The Coliseum / Oakland CA / June 30 1967 (Live At The Coliseum) 05:44       7. Ella Fitzgerald - In A Mellow Tone - Live At The Coliseum / Oakland CA / June 30 1967 (Live At The Coliseum) 04:42       8. Ella Fitzgerald - Music To Watch Girls By - Live At The Coliseum / Oakland CA / June 30 1967 (Live At The Coliseum) 03:57       9. Ella Fitzgerald - Mack The Knife - Live At The Coliseum / Oakland CA / June 30 1967 (Live At The Coliseum) 04:53

ELLA FITZGERALD THE FIRST LADY OF SONG RELEASES NEW SINGLE “LET’S DO IT (LET'S FALL IN LOVE)”  FROM UNEARTHED LIVE CONCERT ALBUM     WATCH THE VISUALIZER HERE   THE MOMENT OF TRUTH: ELLA AT THE COLISEUM TO BE RELEASED FEBRUARY 28TH ON VERVE RECORDS   February 7, 2025 — Today, Verve Records is proud to release Ella Fitzgerald’s “Let’s Do It (Let’s Fall In Love),” the second single from her never-before-released live concert album, The Moment of Truth: Ella At The Coliseum. “Let’s Do It (Let’s Fall In Love)” offers a sinfully playful twist on the highly esteemed Cole Porter classic from the 1928 Broadway show Paris. Ella adds her own sprinkle of magic by not only extending the chorus of the track, but by switching up the original melody and mixing in pop culture references of the time. Listen to the new single here. Watch the visualizer here.   The full live album, The Moment Of Truth: Ella At The Coliseum was recorded at the Oakland Coliseum on June 30, 1967, and was recently unearthed in the private tape collection of Verve Records founder Norman Granz. The album spans nine tracks, most never heard before, and features Ella accompanied by members of The Duke Ellington Orchestra at its prime.    Listen to the first single and title track “The Moment of Truth” here, watch the animated music video directed by Sharon Liu here, and pre-order the album here.   Ella’s band includes the rarely-heard but hard-swinging trio of Jimmy Jones, Bob Cranshaw, and Sam Woodyard, while the Ellington band captured here at its peak, featured Cat Anderson, Cootie Williams, Harry Carney, Paul Gonsalves, Jimmy Hamilton, Johnny Hodges and Russell Procope. Ella alongside her band was a sight to behold. There was never a moment when she was not doing her absolute best work. The first lady of song strikes again with a song that makes you want to move to the sweet rhythms and melodies she seamlessly weaves together. “Let’s Do It (Let’s Fall In Love) is sure to be food for the soul and a treat for your ears.   BAND DETAILS: Ella Fitzgerald – vocals   The trio: Jimmy Jones – piano Bob Cranshaw – bass Sam Woodyard – drums   Members of Duke Ellington’s Orchestra: Trumpets: Cat Anderson, Mercer Ellington, Herbie Jones, Cootie Williams  Trombones: Lawrence Brown, Chuck Connors, Buster Cooper Reeds: Harry Carney, Paul Gonsalves, Jimmy Hamilton, Johnny Hodges, Russell Procope   Connect with ELLA FITZGERALD: Website | Facebook | Instagram | TikTok | YouTube   # Artist and Track Title Time       1. Ella Fitzgerald - Let’s Do It (Let’s Fall In Love) (Live At The Coliseum) 04:43