Ella Fitzgerald: Ella At The Shrine (Colored Vinyl) Vinyl LP (Record Store Day) Ella Fitzgerald

Praise the record gods for shining a light on the Shrine. Recently unearthed from an undocumented area inside the vaults of Verve Records is what is likely the first live recording of the First Lady of Song from 1956. Back in 2017 Verve released Ella At Zardi’s, billed at the time as her first live outing (this pressing sold out within days of being released). Ella at the Shrine was recorded 10 days before the Zardi’s date, which in turn was only a few days before recording her Capitol Records debut Ella Fitzgerald Sings the Cole Porter Song Book.

With the help of jazz impresario and manager Norman Granz, Ella became a fixture of the live jazz scene starting in the mid 1940’s after she began singing for Jazz at the Philharmonic (JATP). This JATP session, recorded at the Los Angeles’ Shrine Auditorium, is a thrilling, brief session (clocking in at just over 20 minutes) that is well worth any and all hype. Featuring well known jazz renditions (and an outro announcement), this album will stay on the table for repeated listens. It’s anybodies guess as to what other recordings are hiding out in Verve’s vaults, but only time will tell! Limited Edition of 3,000 Black Friday 2018 release pressed on translucent yellow vinyl, plays at 45 RPM. Features liner notes on the rear detailing the available, fragmented history surrounding the recording. Don’t sleep on this!

• translucent yellow vinyl
• plays at 45rpm
• limited edition of 3,000
• 2018 Black Friday Record Store Day release
• Verve 2018

reviewed by Ralphy Corduroy 1/2019