Ella Fitzgerald - Something to Live For

Rating:
Summary: a must all the way
Review: can't ever say enough about Ella Fitzgerald She is truly one of the Greatest Voices that I have ever heard.this DVD Captures so many elements of Her&you can't ever get enough once you are listening too Her Range&the way She handles the material.Highly Enjoyable.Classy like the Lady Herself.

Rating:
Summary: Must have for Ella and Jazz fans...
Review: Full of great stuff here. Makes me feel sorry for myself for never having a chance to see Ella live...

Rating:
Summary: Must have for Ella and Jazz fans...
Review: Full of great stuff here. Makes me feel sorry for myself for never having a chance to see Ella live...

Rating:
Summary: Musically, smooth as silk.
Review: I grew up watching Ms. Fitzgerald in the glass-shattering "Memorex" commercials which are included in this DVD. Even at that age her voice was something to behold. The quintessential Ella moment comes three minutes into the DVD- after the credits- as she flawlessly renders the torch song "Lover Man" dressed in basic black. This documentary captures Ella's golden era- before the various medical problems. As was mentioned earlier the documentary itself has gaps, as certain years and decades are skimmed over and not all scenes are identified or captioned. But music and singer are stunning, showing a buoyant, incredibly shy woman, beautifully full of figure, whose silky voice positively resonates. There are also clips of a 1979 interview from Andre Previn and marvelous recollections from her bandmates- including one who remembers her being able to break into song on the tour bus and silence all of her fellow musicians. (The song heard is Duke Ellington's "Azure Mood"). The TV show clips are what you really want to see: performances with Nat "King" Cole, Bing Crosby, Mel Torme', Dinah Shore and Joan Sutherland, Count Basie, Duke Ellington, and most memorable a parry-and-thrust duet with Frank Sinatra on "The Lady Is A Tramp" from his 1967 special. A platinum time capsule of a timeless perfomer.

Rating:
Summary: Superb
Review: I saw this program on a PBS station recently, and it's stunningly produced, covering not only her life, but her music. If you're an ELLA fan, this is perfect. But even if you're not, it's worth looking at from a cultural perspective, as she played SUCH a role in SO many lives.

Rating:
Summary: Superb
Review: It's way past time that something like this was released about Ella. This video contains lots of performance footage from various TV appearances and live concerts. I was very pleased to find that the emphasis is on live footage rather than simply on narration with various still shots and otherwise available, already well-known commercial recordings playing in the background. Of course there is quite a bit of narration, but the emphasis is still on Ella performing. We even get to see "alternative" performances of some commercially available live recordings that will be well-known to Ella fans. For example, there is a clip of her performing at Ronnie Scott's in London doing her parody of country music and "Soul Train" music. (It is a different version from the one on her "Ella in London" recording, and very funny.) There is also a video clip from her performance with Count Basie's orchestra at Montreux in '79, singing part of "Basella" and trading fours with Eric Dixon and Mitchell "Bootie" Woods. (In this case, it is the same performance as the commercial audio recording, but the video gives additional insight into Ella's performing style for Ella fans.) I enjoyed the video very much and can highly recommend it to both casual and hardcore fans (who might already have most of her commercial recordings) of Ella Fitzgerald. You will find several new things here.

Rating:
Summary: Great resource for Ella fans
Review: It's way past time that something like this was released about Ella. This video contains lots of performance footage from various TV appearances and live concerts. I was very pleased to find that the emphasis is on live footage rather than simply on narration with various still shots and otherwise available, already well-known commercial recordings playing in the background. Of course there is quite a bit of narration, but the emphasis is still on Ella performing. We even get to see "alternative" performances of some commercially available live recordings that will be well-known to Ella fans. For example, there is a clip of her performing at Ronnie Scott's in London doing her parody of country music and "Soul Train" music. (It is a different version from the one on her "Ella in London" recording, and very funny.) There is also a video clip from her performance with Count Basie's orchestra at Montreux in '79, singing part of "Basella" and trading fours with Eric Dixon and Mitchell "Bootie" Woods. (In this case, it is the same performance as the commercial audio recording, but the video gives additional insight into Ella's performing style for Ella fans.) I enjoyed the video very much and can highly recommend it to both casual and hardcore fans (who might already have most of her commercial recordings) of Ella Fitzgerald. You will find several new things here.

Rating:
Summary: "SOMETHING TO LIVE FOR" IS ELLA'S VOICE!!!!!
Review: Luckily I was able to see Ella In Concert numerous times throughout the 70's and 80's and was honored to have her autograph two L.P.'s by her limousine after a concert she gave at the Junior College I attended at the time in 1972!! Ella was kind and gracious and that quailty plus her brilliant artistry really come throught and shine in this stunning documentary of her life and career!!! Tony Bennett is the perfect choice to narrate this American Masters production and his love of Ella comes through and adds alot of soul to the special. Performance footage is ultimately what becomes breathtaking to experience here and when Ella sings the classic "Something To Live For" it is breathtakingly beautiful and completely haunting. The use of concert footage from the various stages of her career show that Ella found joy in sharing her gift with her audience and songs like "For Once In My Life" become life experiences that become emotionally engrossing as well as being technically brilliant. This American Masters special is a keeper so anyone who loves Ella get this one fast as this is the best available on this wonderous and gifted talent!! BRAVO ELLA!!!

Rating:
Summary: Ella, the BEST
Review: Many things have been written about Ella Fitzgerald. She is my darling. I have been enjoying Ella's voice and swings for many years now and I just cannot get enough. This video has brought Ella much closer to me. It is extremely well done and most enjoyable. My only wish is to have seen her singing "Love for Sale" live (I wish that was on the video too). Anybody will be moved by this Grand Lady's story and voice. Ella is eternal.

Rating:
Summary: ELLA WAS AND STILL IS THE FIRST LADY OF SONG
Review: Something To Live for is filled with some of the best moments in popular music, I really enjoyed the duet with Frank and Ella ''the lady is a tramp'', she was one of the best, this dvd
is informative and enjoyable, if you're a fan of jazz or just getting into it this dvd is a must, THE FIRST LADY OF SONG
will be missed but never forgotten.