A FEW GRAMMYS WORTH NOTING

ELLA FITZGERALD: 12 NIGHTS IN HOLLYWOOD
The New York Times article last November  on a brand new set of live recordings by Ella Fitzgerald, 12 NIGHTS IN HOLLYWOOD (Hip-O Select, 4 CDs, $69.98), resulted in the most customer requests that I’ve ever had at Politics & Prose. Unfortunately, the record label did not have enough copies to meet the great demand, leading to great frustration all around. Now, at last, there’s a steady supply, and is finally The four CDs contain the best performances of 76 songs taken from two engagements at the Crescendo, a small jazz club in Los Angeles, in 1961 and 1962. — and none of it has ever been released until now. Critic Gary Giddins, co-author of the recently-issued, JAZZ(Norton), said, “this ranks on the top shelf of her live recordings…it’s about as good as it gets.”

There was a review last week on Fresh Air with some nice song excerpts .

The box set is 15% off for P&P members.

A FEW GRAMMYS WORTH NOTING
Among the dozens and dozens of Grammys that were handed out last Sunday, we are big fans of some of these well-deserving winners:
Loudon Wainwright, HIGH, WIDE & HANDSOME: THE CHARLIE POOLE PROJECT (Second Story, 2 CDs & book, $17.98) for Best Traditional Folk Album

Levon Helm, ELECTRIC DIRT (Vanguard, $17.98) for Best Americana Album

Steve Earle, TOWNES (New West Records, $17.98) for Best Contemporary Folk Album

Béla Fleck, THROW DOWN YOUR HEART: AFRICA SESSIONS (Rounder, $18.98) for Best Contemporary World Music Album and Best Pop Instrumental Performance

Bebo & Chucho Valdes, JUNTOS PARA SIEMPRE (Discos 60, $13.98) for Best Latin Jazz Album

Sharon Isbin, JOURNEY TO THE NEW WORLD (Sony Classical, $14.98) for Best Classical Instrumental Soloist Performance

Ars Nova Copenhagen and Theater of Voices; Paul Hillier, conductor, DAVID LANG: THE LITTLE MATCH GIRL PASSION (Hamonia Mundi, $18.98) for Best Classical Small Ensemble Performance