“The Morse Code” by Ella Mae Morse with Orchestra conducted by Billy May - album review

features in: Album Chart of 1957Album Chart of the Decade: 1950s

TJR says

“The Morse Code” came entirely from Ella Mae’s final recording sessions in June 1957. Producer Lee Gillette allowed her to choose the repertoire and to collaborate on arrangements with Billy May. Somewhat predictably, she delves into the American songbook to croon away in regular fashion to a light pop-jazz musical accompaniment. I give pass marks for her version of Johnny Mercer’s chart-topper from 1945, “Ac-Cent-Tchu-Ate The Positive”, an undoubted farewell tribute to her mentor from back in the day. “My Funny Valentine” is another pleaser – it’s really quite snazzy and a total re-interpretation. “Dream A Little Dream Of Me” is just a great song – and Ella does a fine job with it. Think I’ve latched on to the affirmative…

The Jukebox Rebel
26–Aug–2011

Tracklist
A1 [02:20] 3.8.png Ella Mae Morse with Orchestra conducted by Billy May - Day In - Day Out (Johnny Mercer, Rube Bloom) Crooner / Cabaret
A2 [02:38] 5.9.png Ella Mae Morse with Orchestra conducted by Billy May - My Funny Valentine (Richard Rodgers, Lorenz Hart) Jazz
A3 [03:20] 5.4.png Ella Mae Morse with Orchestra conducted by Billy May - Ac-Cent-Tchu-Ate The Positive (Johnny Mercer, Harold Arlen) Crooner / Cabaret
A4 [02:13] 3.8.png Ella Mae Morse with Orchestra conducted by Billy May - When My Sugar Walks Down The Street (Irving Mills, Jimmy McHugh, Gene Austin) Crooner / Cabaret
A5 [02:06] 6.4.png Ella Mae Morse with Orchestra conducted by Billy May - Dream A Little Dream Of Me (Fabian Andre, Wilbur Schwandt, Gus Kahn) Jazz
A6 [02:31] 4.9.png Ella Mae Morse with Orchestra conducted by Billy May - Heart And Soul (Hoagy Carmichael, Frank Loesser) Big Band / Jive / Swing
B1 [02:45] 5.0.png Ella Mae Morse with Orchestra conducted by Billy May - Jersey Bounce (Tiny Bradshaw, Edward Johnson, Bobby Plater, Robert C. Wright, Buddy Feyne) Big Band / Jive / Swing
B2 [03:37] 4.8.png Ella Mae Morse with Orchestra conducted by Billy May - I Can’t Get Started (Vernon Duke, Ira Gershwin) Crooner / Cabaret
B3 [03:03] 4.6.png Ella Mae Morse with Orchestra conducted by Billy May - Baby Won’t You Please Come Home (Clarence Williams, Charles Warfield) Big Band / Jive / Swing
B4 [02:30] 3.5.png Ella Mae Morse with Orchestra conducted by Billy May - You Go To My Head (John Frederick Coots, Haven Gillespie) Jazz
B5 [02:55] 4.0.png Ella Mae Morse with Orchestra conducted by Billy May - Music, Maestro, Please! (Herbert Magidson, Allie Wrubel) Big Band / Jive / Swing
B6 [02:05] 4.0.png Ella Mae Morse with Orchestra conducted by Billy May - I’m Gonna Sit Right Down (And Write Myself A Letter) (Fred E. Ahlert, Joe Young) Crooner / Cabaret
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