Get Happy! is a 1959 album by the American jazz singerElla Fitzgerald, recorded with various studio orchestras over a two-year period.
History
The original 12 songs on the albumcome from 5 different sessions, featuring orchestras led by Nelson Riddle, Frank DeVol, Russell Garcia, Marty Paich or Paul Weston. The first two tracks are from the sessions for the George and Ira Gershwin Songbook, which were later included on the 1998 reissue of the album, and Berlin's "Blue Skies" was recorded at the sessions for the 1958 album Sings the Irving Berlin Songbook, but inexplicably omitted from the final cut, despite featuring one Ella's most impressive extended scat improvisations.
Reception
Writing for Allmusic, music critic Scott Yanow wrote of the album "As usual, Ella uplifts all of the material and her best moments come on "Somebody Loves Me," a heartfelt "Moonlight Becomes You," a scat-filled "Blue Skies" and "St. Louis Blues." Although this was not her most essential release, the formerly obscure Get Happy finds Ella Fitzgerald at the peak of her powers."
Track listing
For the 1959 Verve LP release; Verve V6-4036 Side One:
Bonus Tracks; Issued on the Verve 1998 CD re-issue, Verve 314 523 321-2 13. "A-Tisket, A-Tasket" – 2:20 14. "The Swingin' Shepherd Blues" – 2:50
Personnel
Recorded in six sessions from July 24, 1957- July 11, 1959 in Hollywood, Los Angeles: Tracks 1,2 Capitol Studios, Hollywood January 7, 1959 Nelson Riddle Paul SmithHerb EllisJoe Mondragon Bill Richmond Conrad Gozzo, Cappy Lewis, Vito Mangano, Shorty Sherock ; Dick Noel, Tommy Pederson, George Roberts Tracks 3,7 Radio Recorders, Hollywood, July 11, 1959 Frank DeVol Lou Levy Herb Ellis Joe Mondragon Alvin StollerFrank Beach, Pete Candoli, Cappy Lewis, Al PorcinoHarry Betts, Dick Noel, George Roberts, lloyd Ulyate Track 4 United Recorders, Hollywood, September 3, 1959 Russell Garcia Claude Williamson, Jr. Herb Ellis Red MitchellJack Sperling Pete Candoli, Philip Candreva, Buddy Childers, Stu Williamson Tracks 5,6 United Recorders, Hollywood, September 3, 1959 Marty Paich Claude Williamson, Jr. Herb Ellis Red Mitchell Jack Sperling Pete Candoli, Philip Candreva, Buddy Childers, Stu Williamson Track 8 Radio Recorders, Hollywood, March 18, 1958 Paul Weston Paul Smith Barney Kessel Joe Mondragon Alvin Stoller John Best, Pete Candoli, Harry "Sweets" Edison, Don Fagerquist, Mannie Klein Tracks 9-13 Capitol Studios. Hollywood, July 24, 1957 Frank DeVol Arnold Ross Barney Kessel Ben Webster Abe Luboff, Joe Mondragon, Philip Stephens Alvin Stoller Pete Candoli, Harry "Sweets" Edison, Ray Linn, George Werth Milt Bernha Track 14 Radio Recorders Annex, Hollywood, March 19, 1958 Weston Harry "Sweets" Edison Leonard Hartman, Matty Matlock. Ted Nash, or Fred Stulce Paul Smith Barney Kessel Joe Mondragon