Rating:
Genre: Vocal Music
Release Date: 02/28/2006

Ella Fitzgerald's most eclectic and stylish LP, Things Ain't What They Used to Be is a delightful mosaic of contemporary soul hits, perennial standards, and bossa nova numbers that capture the full breadth of the singer's genius. Produced by Norman Granz and arranged by Gerald Wilson, the album follows on the heels of the full-blown pop session Ella, adopting a similarly groove-oriented contextual approach but drawing on a more diverse pool of material -- evergreens like "Black Coffee," "Tuxedo Junction," and the sublime "Don't Dream of Anyone but Me" are made fresh and new, revitalized by Wilson's deeply soulful arrangements and Fitzgerald's breathtaking vocal acrobatics. Hits including "Sunny" and "I Heard It Through the Grapevine" are no less rewarding -- Fitzgerald's command of the songs is absolute, adding wrinkles and nuances the hit versions never imagined.

~Jason Ankeny, All Music Guide

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James Cleveland - Trombone
Louie Bellson - Drums
Harry "Sweets" Edison - Trumpet
Herb Ellis - Guitar (Rhythm)
Victor Feldman - Vibraphone
Ella Fitzgerald - Vocals
Tommy Flanagan - Piano
Harold Land - Sax (Tenor)
Anthony Ortega - Flute
Anthony Ortega - Piccolo
Marshall Royal - Clarinet
Marshall Royal - Flute
Marshall Royal - Sax (Alto)
Joe Sample - Organ
Joe Sample - Keyboards
Gerald Wilson - Arranger
Gerald Wilson - Conductor
Bobby Bryant - Trumpet
Britt Woodman - Trombone
Richard Aplanalp - Sax (Baritone)
Norman Granz - Producer
Norman Granz - Liner Notes
Norman Granz - Audio Production
Ray Brown - Bass
Modesto Duran - Bongos
Modesto Duran - Conga
William Green - Flute
William Green - Piccolo
Thurman Green - Trombone
Paul Hubinon - Trumpet
J.J. Johnson - Trombone
Arthur Maebe - French Horn
Arthur Maebe - ?
Larry McGuire - Trumpet
Alexander Thomas - Trombone
Ernie Watts - Flute
Ernie Watts - Piccolo
Michael Wimberly - Trombone
Ed Thrasher - Photography
Ray Bojorquez - Sax (Tenor)
Dennis Budamir - Guitar
Francisco Desouzaq - Bongos
Francisco Desouzaq - Conga
Alex Rodriquez - Trumpet
William Tole - Trombone
Henry DeVega - Sax (Alto)
Francisco DeSouza - Bongos
Francisco DeSouza - Conga

Sings the Jerome Kern Song Book
    Ella Fitzgerald / CD / 1963
The Ultimate Collection
    Billie Holiday / CD / 2005
The Great American Songbook
    Fred Astaire / CD / 2006

Release Date: 02/28/2006
Genre: vocal