Ella Wishes You a Swinging Christmas

Ella Wishes You a Swinging Christmas is a 1960 album by the American jazz singer Ella Fitzgerald, recorded in the summer of 1960, with a studio orchestra arranged and conducted by Frank DeVol.

It is Fitzgerald's only Verve complete album of Christmas tunes. Verve had issued a 7" 45rpm single in 1959, featuring "The Christmas Song" with "The Secret of Christmas" on the b-side, both were recorded with Russ Garcia and His Orchestra in September 1959.

Track listing

For the 1960 Verve LP release; Verve MG VS-64042

Side One:

1. "Jingle Bells" (J.S. Pierpont) – 2:21
2. "Santa Claus Is Coming to Town" (J. Fred Coots, Haven Gillespie) – 2:56
3. "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" (Ralph Blane, Hugh Martin) – 2:56
4. "What Are You Doing New Year's Eve?" (Frank Loesser) – 3:32
5. "Sleigh Ride" (Leroy Anderson, Mitchell Parish) – 2:56
6. "The Christmas Song" (Mel Tormé, Bob Wells) – 3:00

Side Two:

1. "Good Morning Blues" (Count Basie, Eddie Durham, Jimmy Rushing) – 3:15
2. "Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!" (Sammy Cahn, Jule Styne) – 2:43
3. "Winter Wonderland" (Felix Bernard, Richard B. Smith) – 2:16
4. "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" (Johnny Marks) – 2:51
5. "Frosty the Snowman" (Steve Nelson, Jack Rollins) – 2:12
6. "White Christmas" (Irving Berlin) – 3:02

Bonus Tracks; Issued on the Verve 2002 CD re-issue, Verve 440 065 086-2

13. "The Secret of Christmas" - Released in 1959, 7" single, b-side (Jimmy Van Heusen, Sammy Cahn) - 2:45

14. "Medley:"We Three Kings of Orient Are"/"O Little Town of Bethleham" - Released only in the UK , on 1960 7" single, a-side (John Henry Hopkins), (Lewis H. Redner, Philiips Brooks) - 3:35

15. "Christmas Island" (Released only in the UK , on 1960 7" single, b-side) (Lyle L. Moraine) - 2:18

16. "The Christmas Song" (Alternative take) - 3:41

17. "White Christmas" (Alternative take) - 3:44

18. "Frosty the Snowman" (Alternative take) - 2:11

Personnel

Recorded July 15–16, August 5, 1960, New York, New York:

Track 13 recorded September 3, 1959, United Records, Hollywood:

• Ella Fitzgerald: Vocals
• Frank DeVol: Arranger, Conductor
• Russ Garcia and His Orchestra (track 13): Arranger, Conductor

References