Ella... one of the many deeply planted roots of the Musical Tree of Life. Where would we possibly be without the incredible talent that has blessed our ears over decades of time? Timeless vocals that still echo through the infinite stretch of universe beyond us. Music will never be the same, but we can never forget what true music is; and Ms. Fitzgerald is a prime example. Dreams are made of lyrics like these, so close your eyes and let Ella's chords take you to them.
This is a great great song and Ella puts her personal signature on it showcasing her fantastic talent. What I want to know is who arranged this for her. Was it Frank DeVol??? Anyhow this is my favorite version also, thanks for uploading it, I'm sure it will stay up for as long as youtube exists.
Johnny Mercer's lyrics for MIDNIGHT SUN are just extraordinary! With his vast output, it's hard to pick favorites, but MIDNIGHT SUN & SKYLARK are certainly two of my favorites. It's tough to think that artists like Mercer, Hoagy Carmichael, Harold Arlen, & Frank Loesser (to name a few) are underappreciated today
This performance, arrangement and tune...probably my favorite bit of popular music of all time........here Ella and Johnny just about make me believe in angels.
Does anyone know where I can get transcriptions/sheets of the Vibraphone part here? (I believe it's the vibraphone, but it might be the marimba, xylophone, or glockenspiel... lol) I love it so much, but I really don't want to transcribe it myself D:
Fabulous lyrics indeed. Best version IMHO is Tony Bennett with the Robert Farnon orchestra. There was probably a BBC recording of it, but they tend to put that sort of stuff in skips. My neighbour had it on a CD but it's not available now - unless someone uploads it. (twitch).
@jacobsimon Isn't that the most beautiful. poetic ryhme you've ever heard. "But after you were gone there was still some stardust on my sleeve"! Enchanting! This song is like a dream you never want to awake from!
The more beautiful the lyrics, the better the music, the more beautiful she sang. After all these years, she remains my favorite singer. This song, Midnight Sun, along with Something to Live For and How High the Moon are my favorite things from Ella Fitzgerald, a lovely voice for the ages.
Rarely do so many ultra-talented people converge on one song, but this has Ella, Hampton, Mercer, Riddle all at the top of their game. Jazz does not get any better than this. Thanks for posting this classic. Sublime.
Love this song and I love Ella! I'll never forget seeing her in person at Radio City, and once again with Frank Sinatra at the Uris Theater, back in the 70s. And this is my favorite version of Midnight Sun - thanks for uploading it for us to enjoy!
Gorgeous lyrics, more eloquent than any poem i've read. Lady Ella sings this song with such sublime class, she is a joy to listen to. As always, Mr. Riddle's arrangements are spot on.
C'mon - let's credit those brilliant, elegant lyrics. This stuff doesn't just fall from heaven, you know. Thanks, JOHNNY MERCER, for your brilliant contribution to this hauntingly beautiful moment in time! (Sorry, I have this "respect for artists" thing.)
@Victor1930 Great posting; perhaps this stuff does fall from heaven after all. Another great take is on Ella in Rome, her 40th birthday concert (with Oscar Peterson).
Absolutely in agreement regarding Johnny Mercer's lyrics. Only a genius (a lyric genius that is) could manage to incorporate the words 'aurora borealis' into song lyrics. What makes it even worse for for mere humans (like you and yours truly) was the fact that generally Johnny Mercer found it not too difficult to generate lyrics for the targetted song or music. Apparently Mr Mercer heard the Midnight Sun tune then wrote the lyrics i.e.QED Quite Easily Done!
I just recieved the CD that I ordered from Amazon and this version of Midnight Sun is on it and the album cover is Ella Fitzgerald Sings the Johnny Mercer Song Book and Midnight Sun is identical to this arrangement. By the way the insert says that Nelson Riddle had Frank Flynn play a solo on the Vibes as a tribute to the great Lionel Hampton. So it's Frank Flynn on the vibrophone.
By the way this version of Midnight Sun is not from the album "Like someone in love" but is from the album "Ella Fitzgerald Sings The Johnny Mercer Songbook". Ii took a lot of google searching to find it.
To Dizzy Spell, The difference between the Zylophone and a Vibraphone
The Vibes or more correctly the Vibraphone or Vibraharp uses a different material for the bars then the xylophone. The xlophone bars are made of wood whereas they are aluminum in the vibraphone. I beleive that they were steel in the orignal version of the vibraphone The vibraphone also has a dampening pedal like a piano. This will either prolong the sound of the vibrating bar or cut it off shot. .
This version has a beautiful opening dedication to Lionel Hampton. Midnight Sun just will not work without Vibes. Mr. Hampton made it the signature sound.
Thank you Sondenkind for sharing this beautiful classic with the rest of the world.
@federicocasari there are two versions ella recorded, nelson did conduct one and so did Frank devol so you are partialy right, this is the frank devol one do a search with this "ella fitzgerald midnight sun nelson riddle"
Natalie's version is, indeed, wonderful; however, give the nod to Ella's as the best. The instrumental arrangement including the use of the xylophone make's Ella's recording more unique and outstanding....not to mention her vocals. Another beautiful song written by the incomparable Moon River man from Georgia, Johnny Mercer!!
@sandiegotrojandawg THANK YOU FOR YOUR COMMENT. I LIKE THE ARRANGEMENT BECAUSE OF THE USE OF THE BASS AND THE 'BE-BOP' SHE WORKED INTO IT. YOUR RIGHT-THE GREATEST...J.M.
Singing this solo at an open mic later this week, thank you ella for some good phrasing ideas!
MrDredhammer 2 weeks ago
My god... her voice...
ibwilliamsi 2 months ago
Oh yea... it's old but still very hip...
mscarolannstaples 2 months ago
Ella... one of the many deeply planted roots of the Musical Tree of Life. Where would we possibly be without the incredible talent that has blessed our ears over decades of time? Timeless vocals that still echo through the infinite stretch of universe beyond us. Music will never be the same, but we can never forget what true music is; and Ms. Fitzgerald is a prime example. Dreams are made of lyrics like these, so close your eyes and let Ella's chords take you to them.
SapphyreSoul 2 months ago in playlist Favorite videos
Comment removed
SapphyreSoul 2 months ago in playlist Favorite videos
I just... LOVE her, thats it.
kndrulzzz 3 months ago
Another example proving that good music never goes out of style.
BillyRosinet 3 months ago
Great lyrics -- for me, Mercer's best -- embraced by a great singer:)--
stevevandien 5 months ago
Definitely my fave also. The accompaniment is beyond great. A sublimity seldom found these days...
amoripaz108 6 months ago
Was there ever a lyricist like Mercer?
19gogo61 7 months ago
No one does it like Ella... the best of the very best!
mscarolannstaples 8 months ago in playlist Ella Fitzgerald
This is a great great song and Ella puts her personal signature on it showcasing her fantastic talent. What I want to know is who arranged this for her. Was it Frank DeVol??? Anyhow this is my favorite version also, thanks for uploading it, I'm sure it will stay up for as long as youtube exists.
timsricochet 8 months ago
Johnny Mercer's lyrics for MIDNIGHT SUN are just extraordinary! With his vast output, it's hard to pick favorites, but MIDNIGHT SUN & SKYLARK are certainly two of my favorites. It's tough to think that artists like Mercer, Hoagy Carmichael, Harold Arlen, & Frank Loesser (to name a few) are underappreciated today
legatofancier 8 months ago
Comment removed
Gitfidlpickr 8 months ago
This still gives me goosebumps! Incredible.
GirlSocialist 8 months ago
Note for Fededico: It does not sound like Nelson Riddle (the strings, here, are rather discrete). I tend to incline in favour of DeVol, too.
OgerManiak 8 months ago
I WAS WRONG.
THIS MELODY WAS WRITTEN BY LIONAL HAMPTON AND SONNY BURKE. THE LYRIC IS BY JOHNNY MERCER.
imonthebox 8 months ago
I believe this tune is Duke Ellington's, anybody want to argue ?
imonthebox 8 months ago
Thank you for posting this!
It's one of my all-time faves
mrhartley1000 8 months ago
This performance, arrangement and tune...probably my favorite bit of popular music of all time........here Ella and Johnny just about make me believe in angels.
abernardcorpus 8 months ago
ooh! i bought a compilation CD and the version of this song there used a much slower, orchestral version.....this is better! xD
MayerEO 9 months ago
I'm a rock n roller from the 50's, but one thing I know . . . Johnny Mercer LIVES.
simplydiv22 10 months ago
I love this version so muchhh~
Does anyone know where I can get transcriptions/sheets of the Vibraphone part here? (I believe it's the vibraphone, but it might be the marimba, xylophone, or glockenspiel... lol) I love it so much, but I really don't want to transcribe it myself D:
GlueStikkzz 11 months ago
@GlueStikkzz Sounds like the vibes to me...It's awsome...Wish I could help tho, lol. Good luck!
book492 11 months ago
Fabulous lyrics indeed. Best version IMHO is Tony Bennett with the Robert Farnon orchestra. There was probably a BBC recording of it, but they tend to put that sort of stuff in skips. My neighbour had it on a CD but it's not available now - unless someone uploads it. (twitch).
BINKIE2000 11 months ago
even steven sondheim must envy johnny mercer's amazing triple rhyme: ... red and ruby chalice ... alabaster palace .... aurora borealis
jacobsimon 11 months ago
@jacobsimon Isn't that the most beautiful. poetic ryhme you've ever heard. "But after you were gone there was still some stardust on my sleeve"! Enchanting! This song is like a dream you never want to awake from!
early60srcool 11 months ago
beautiful poetry in musical motion that only Ella could capture
blackmountainboar 1 year ago 4
this version you posted is not from that album, is from the album called "the best of the song books" :)
thefuturesouvenirs 1 year ago
Thank you SO SO much!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Mamasan41 1 year ago
It just does not get...any better...than this!
tonygumbrell22 1 year ago 2
The more beautiful the lyrics, the better the music, the more beautiful she sang. After all these years, she remains my favorite singer. This song, Midnight Sun, along with Something to Live For and How High the Moon are my favorite things from Ella Fitzgerald, a lovely voice for the ages.
Hedgyhead 1 year ago
I usually don't like vocal jazz, but this is like WHOA! So amazinggg! =)
sillysamantha93 1 year ago
Rarely do so many ultra-talented people converge on one song, but this has Ella, Hampton, Mercer, Riddle all at the top of their game. Jazz does not get any better than this. Thanks for posting this classic. Sublime.
ghancox 1 year ago
Why did I just play this song like 5 times in a row?
lyecry 1 year ago
Love this song and I love Ella! I'll never forget seeing her in person at Radio City, and once again with Frank Sinatra at the Uris Theater, back in the 70s. And this is my favorite version of Midnight Sun - thanks for uploading it for us to enjoy!
Razbunyik 1 year ago
this is diva music sit at home music playing a nice drink maybe a cig r two and just chill life seemed romantic during this time
overnitesinsay 1 year ago
Allegedly, MIDNIGHT SUN is really HOW HIGH THE MOON played backwards.
songanddanceman100 1 year ago
Yes. Ladies and gentlemen THIS is a vocalist. Tone, phrasing, she's got it all
tqoliver 1 year ago
Yes Chromatics! I love ALL of the halfseps in this song!
book492 1 year ago
@book492 YES!:)
Mamasan41 1 year ago
Gorgeous lyrics, more eloquent than any poem i've read. Lady Ella sings this song with such sublime class, she is a joy to listen to. As always, Mr. Riddle's arrangements are spot on.
inapix 1 year ago
C'mon - let's credit those brilliant, elegant lyrics. This stuff doesn't just fall from heaven, you know. Thanks, JOHNNY MERCER, for your brilliant contribution to this hauntingly beautiful moment in time! (Sorry, I have this "respect for artists" thing.)
Victor1930 1 year ago 28
@Victor1930 updated tags & credits : )
sondenkind 1 year ago 5
@sondenkind Fine job!! Thanks for indulging me and honoring a great lyricist!
Victor1930 1 year ago
@Victor1930 OH MY!!!!! First piano sheet music I bought at age ten in 1951.
This is sublime.
Mamasan41 1 year ago
@Victor1930 - Yes, indeed! Let us respect the creative force, and those through whom it flows!
thegoodbrother12 11 months ago
@Victor1930 Great posting; perhaps this stuff does fall from heaven after all. Another great take is on Ella in Rome, her 40th birthday concert (with Oscar Peterson).
lowspark68 10 months ago
@Victor1930 I could not afree more, the songwriters of the great american song book are ignored.
Bloody disgrace.
imonthebox 8 months ago
@Victor1930 Don't forget to thank Lionel Hampton for the tune.
ibwilliamsi 2 months ago
@Victor1930 As a vocalist, I always give kudos to the lyricist. Thanks Victor.
6040Jackie 1 month ago
@Victor1930
Absolutely in agreement regarding Johnny Mercer's lyrics. Only a genius (a lyric genius that is) could manage to incorporate the words 'aurora borealis' into song lyrics. What makes it even worse for for mere humans (like you and yours truly) was the fact that generally Johnny Mercer found it not too difficult to generate lyrics for the targetted song or music. Apparently Mr Mercer heard the Midnight Sun tune then wrote the lyrics i.e.QED Quite Easily Done!
BeBop1939 1 month ago
I have the "Best of the Songbooks" Cd and this is one of my favorites on it!
poetictaiya 1 year ago
I just recieved the CD that I ordered from Amazon and this version of Midnight Sun is on it and the album cover is Ella Fitzgerald Sings the Johnny Mercer Song Book and Midnight Sun is identical to this arrangement. By the way the insert says that Nelson Riddle had Frank Flynn play a solo on the Vibes as a tribute to the great Lionel Hampton. So it's Frank Flynn on the vibrophone.
genecosta2 1 year ago
By the way this version of Midnight Sun is not from the album "Like someone in love" but is from the album "Ella Fitzgerald Sings The Johnny Mercer Songbook". Ii took a lot of google searching to find it.
genecosta2 1 year ago
To Dizzy Spell, The difference between the Zylophone and a Vibraphone
The Vibes or more correctly the Vibraphone or Vibraharp uses a different material for the bars then the xylophone. The xlophone bars are made of wood whereas they are aluminum in the vibraphone. I beleive that they were steel in the orignal version of the vibraphone The vibraphone also has a dampening pedal like a piano. This will either prolong the sound of the vibrating bar or cut it off shot. .
genecosta2 1 year ago
This version has a beautiful opening dedication to Lionel Hampton. Midnight Sun just will not work without Vibes. Mr. Hampton made it the signature sound.
Thank you Sondenkind for sharing this beautiful classic with the rest of the world.
genecosta2 1 year ago
thank you sooo much for this song! i love ella, and this is by far my favorite song of hers ^_^
someonesdiary 1 year ago
I looove the vibes in this one! (or xylophone, whatever it is)
dizzyspell 1 year ago
Arranged by Nelson Riddle. Great standard!
federicocasari 1 year ago
@federicocasari Wikipedia says it's conducted and arranged by Frank DeVol
sondenkind 8 months ago
@sondenkind Either one is a legend.
micmac99 6 months ago
@federicocasari there are two versions ella recorded, nelson did conduct one and so did Frank devol so you are partialy right, this is the frank devol one do a search with this "ella fitzgerald midnight sun nelson riddle"
elmysterio1 6 months ago
Big thanks for the upload. This is my favorite version of this song.
nowittycomment 1 year ago 6
yes, mine too!
sondenkind 1 year ago
@nowittycomment EVER HEAR NATALITY COLE'S VERSION......IT TOPS THIS!
andystell 1 year ago
Natalie's version is, indeed, wonderful; however, give the nod to Ella's as the best. The instrumental arrangement including the use of the xylophone make's Ella's recording more unique and outstanding....not to mention her vocals. Another beautiful song written by the incomparable Moon River man from Georgia, Johnny Mercer!!
sandiegotrojandawg 1 year ago 2
@sandiegotrojandawg Johnny Mercer, Ella and Nelson Riddle! Sublime trio!
Mamasan41 1 year ago
@sandiegotrojandawg THANK YOU FOR YOUR COMMENT. I LIKE THE ARRANGEMENT BECAUSE OF THE USE OF THE BASS AND THE 'BE-BOP' SHE WORKED INTO IT. YOUR RIGHT-THE GREATEST...J.M.
andystell 1 year ago
@andystell -___________- neverr
NiaAmorr 1 year ago
@nowittycomment Mine too!!!!
Mamasan41 1 year ago
@nowittycomment The ULTIMATE version of this song!
MaryShelley72 2 months ago
relaxi and enjoy the music
trixie41 2 years ago