The Complete Ella Fitzgerald Song Books

I purchased this item through Amazon from a private seller who had looked after the box and CDs so well. In fact, the product looked brand new and the contents are everything I could have ever wished for. When this box came out I wanted it because of the completeness of the set. I have now had months to play each and every CD and can confirm that these are indeed the original Verve recordings of the highest quality. As far as the songs go they are the ultimate and the vocals are definitive. I have always adored the singing of Ella and having this in my collection will give me years of pleasure I can tell you.As a collectors box set I have to comment on the 120 page beautifully bound booklet which provides all the detail that I would ever have wanted to know. I do not think there has been a better collectors box set before or since but that is only my opinion.

One of the best purchases, ever!

It looks like an awful lot of money to spend on a boxed set, and it is. But this is a collected masterclass of great songwriting and of great singing. Ira Gershwin was quoted as saying, 'I didn't know how good our songs were, until I heard Ella Fitzgerald sing them.' It was said of Irving Berlin, 'His songs are born, not made.' There's proof enough.This is the best Popular Music boxed set ever minted. An investment maybe, but pleasure in the music contained here will last you all your life. Ella is the first lady of song, the finest and the best.

These amazing songbooks have delighted me for over 25 years now, and I am still playing them nearly every day. Ella makes me SO happy.

I must reiterate the passionate review made by a fellow enthusiast on the Amazon web site in America (dated 20 Oct 2000). I too agonised over the purchase price, in other words the entrance fee to this monumental work. I have been aware of this sumptuous 16CD box set for a long time and my first real look and hands on experience with the red cloth bound box set was in 1996 in a very large music store in Times Square New York. It was towards the end of our holiday and the financial situation was almost nil. I returned home with thoughts about the prospective purchase. I have now bought the box set and I am thrilled to have it in my collection. Apart from the fantastic music it includes additional tracks, short outtakes, short snatches of conversation and alternate versions. I did not need any persuading to buy this superb collection and incidentally it's now much cheaper than last year. Remember what someone once said "The quality remains when the cost is forgotten" I'd give it six stars if it were possible. This is my very first on line purchase the delivery was very quick the packaging was excellent many thanks Amazon. To all lovers of real music order Ella now

I'm torn between this and the complete Frank Sinatra on Capitol as the best investment I've ever made. The Complete Ella Fitzgerald Song Books has the greatest songs, the greatest arrangers and band leaders, and the greatest voice. Everyone involved is at the top of their game in these recordings. Ella brings out subtle nuances in both the music and lyrics that you never noticed before. I don't believe in perfection, but this come pretty close. It is pricey, but for the sheer quality of music, and the wonderful presentation it is definately worth it. A piece of history!

This complete songbook box set is well worth the price tag. Each CD is remastered and a cleaner more relaxed sound one could not have asked for.With original mini covers one feels one has had the set of originals for life. Every CD is a gem brought back from the past with more vigorous vocals and backing. Having had the LP collection from years ago this set has made me re-hear as if for the first time, leaving only my memories the same.Well done Verve for producing this set in such a way as to make it a real collectors presentation box, it appears no expense has been spared on production costs. The inner sleeves having all the original notes inside, just makes the complete set a joy.

I bought this item a month ago, and it¨s quite a small little box. Everything is done in "miniature" to resemble the old LPs and it looks lovely (however the liner notes are SMALL!).It is expensive so if your short for money you need to think...Although this is a "MUST HAVE", you must remember this is a tribute to THE SONGS, and sometimes Ella follows the notes a little to "machine like", or the lyrics dont "get to ya", like say, Sinatra.Then again, the "Irving Berlin" and "Duke Ellington" song books are just AMAZING. Just dont expect this to satisfy all your "popular-song" needs...Now youll need even more versions of these wonderful songs!