The 1995 Decca release
The Best of Ella Fitzgerald was compiled by her Decca producer to commemorate her 75th birthday. As a result, it's not a straight hits compilation; it balances familiar items with personal favorites, and it's stronger for it, since it gives a good idea of the depth of her recordings for the label. Among the 20 tracks are such songs as "A-Tisket, A-Tasket" and "I'm Just a Lucky So and So," and there are cuts that find
Fitzgerald with
Chick Webb,
Louis Armstrong,
Sy Oliver,
the Ink Spots, and
Louis Jordan, among many others. For novices or casual fans, the disc isn't a bad way to become acquainted with her Decca recordings. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine