Duke Ellington - Take the A Train (Ella Fitzgerald)

[joensane]

Any instrumental musician could love this. Has anyone ever heard of skatting? After hearing this for the first time 11 years ago, I haven't heard a better version since. That includes vocal and instrumental recordings. If I were to tell someone about this song, I would reference this recording . Since I play Bass Trombone, I prefer wires and lips over throats, but this is as good as the A-Train will ever sound!

[starwarriorman]

this is so much better instrumental

[narcoticroar]

You must take *a* train....doesn't matter what kind...of train...HARRRLLEMM!!! yah.

[liubojarreau]

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[dars3478]

Thank you so much for posting this!! I have never heard this version before. AMAZING!! and here I thought the original was great!

[James9533]

I don't know how you can dislike this. I can understand you not liking Jazz, but you have to at least respect it as an art form and appreciate how good her voice is. Its not like the quality of the video is bad or anything. In fact, its exceptional given when this was recorded. I'm just baffled.

[James9533]

I have never heard a scat like this in my life. Oh my God I had to play it back like 5 times cuz I couldn't believe how well she was scatting over the changes. Singers nowadays no fuck all about music so this music is refreshing as hell. Beautiful.

[m44wong]

ella's scat singing is phenomenal!

[scrupuloussam]

My foot is getting weary.

[latrodectus23]

fucking manny making chase after trains

[oreotapatio]

how did we go from this to Kreayshawn?

[whoisthatguy10001]

@oreotapatio

Who the f*** is Kreayshawn?

[emusenut]

what version is this - is it available for download somewhere? Not at iTunes! - thanks

[peacock101poo]

it sux



[lotusg3m]

@peacock101poo Can you do that? I think not. This shit takes a lot of rehearsal and work. It is AWESOME. Youre entitled to your decisions and your opinion, but we in the land of Feel-Goood and Luv decree this is AWESOME.

[lilMissChrysalis]

I love the quote from Chattanooga Choo Choo! Haha. But I really just love Miss Ella in general <3

[HappySkyDiver33]

All the 26 people who took the B train should be tied good to the train rails.

[mpalin11]

I LOVE this song. I really do.

[vita0315]

26 now

[theflamealchemist2]

26 people took the a hole train.

[MrDerogative]

4:25

Pardon me boys, is that the chattanooga choo choo?

Oh no it's the A train

Ha, oh God I was not expecting that.

[SurpriseCreature]

wow this is amazing! i wish i could scat!

[AshForte]

5:55 to 6:04 is PRO improvisation right there

[Dee8419]

so fucking nice.

[Ourfli]

-Go to an "old" music video

-Post a comment about music that was better "before", about musicians that were more gifted, about the majors doing only money as if at the time there wasn't mainstream shitty music (in jazz too...)

-Get thumbs up

[minhquanguyen]

@Ourfli: Are you resenting people who express their simple opinion and having other people agree with them?

[TheWye]

@minhquanguyen More like he's resenting people who would say anything just to get thumbs up. I myself don't mind people bashing new music and comparing them to the oldies because maybe it is true, but I really hate it when people say some barely intelligent or obvious thing JUST to get thumbs up.

Especially when they write "thumbs up if you agree" at the end of the comment.

[minhquanguyen]

@TheWye: Yeah, that obvious self-promotion is annoying.

[chillriffer]

wow, her vocal imitations of the trumpet riffs in the beginning is amazing. From :14 to :16 and :23 to :25 I actually thought it was a muted trumpet. <3

[MrTouztouz]

duke ellingtons is still much better but this is good

[firestartertwistedfi]

@MrTouztouz silly boy!

[DBHAYES82]

And I'm still swinging and singing that A Train song...

[diamondman342]

I hate my generation. They have killed what was left of the good music, and all the good things in life. I would be shitting bricks if I was born in Ella's generation.

[theatlantisrise]

@diamondman342 They didnt kill it, the boomers did. They lived rock and roll, they lived the life, but when they grew up and realized how to make and maintain ridiculous amounts of money through turning music into a pure business, that's when we were all screwed. Combine that with the turning of black culture from peace, love, and musical complexity to violence, disrespect, and musical simplicity and you have the death of what was one the good-hearted music industry. You have to be the change.

[yanis3]

I accidentally took the A train coming home from Coney Island. This song would have been useful then lol.

[ronshapley]

You do know the "A" train is a subway right ?????

[Kriptonite213]

lol i love how they show every type of train except the actual A train.

[Franksinatractivo]

Espero que llegues a cogerlo.

Enorme.

[haybaler97]

Ella is raw talent and nothing else. This is what real music should sound like. Too bad my generation has killed it...

[Pianofy]

@haybaler97 Capitalism is a bitch

[SnivelyTheGlamful]

@Pianofy lol Agreed.

[firecracker961]

CREEPY SONG!!!!! AAUUGHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!

[robertquentincobb]

Ella Fitzgerald in her Prime. Long Live The QUEEN. This Kingdom of Cool Is Gone But NEVER Forgotten!

[tecowzard]

Ella is absolutely the most fabulous instrument ever made!

[newkindofcrazy]

Anyone know who is playing guitar on this tracK?

[EdibleAutopsy1]

This song sucks.

[FreakinAfroRican]

@EdibleAutopsy1 So does your mother. And in your case, she should've swallowed. :-)

[TheBlenderLegend]

24 people took the "B" train.

[Dee8419]

@TheBlenderLegend u sux

[Vsis7]

@TheBlenderLegend

actually that would be the "D" train

Wiki it ;)

[WelcomeToTheLab]

chatanooga choo choo ftw

[TheSidvin]

Ever lasting. Introduce your children to Jazz; it will be your best legacy.

[mujocontente]

Love this one!!

[enakrium]

6:40 !! Lol classic

[lalalandcollabsx]

new age music sucks compared to this.

[PAULALOINOR]

Me encanta y de hecho que la tendre que cantar algun dia ....espero no muy lejano.!

[ronmoore65]

@Rocketman2396 I disagree, all music written with an artistic intent and performed well is good. It's just matters of personal taste that varies from person to person.

[Rocketman2396]

music today sucks. this was the good stuff.

[anouktosserams]

this is true music <3

[urbanterror59]

where'd all the jazz cats go :/

[LazyGuitar]

I cannot stop listening to this!!!!!!

[chelseadesouza]

I love Ella - and this version of Take the A-Train is awesome!! :-D

[vicianli]

life's beautiful with such a voice

[iraqilemonade]

This should always be playing on the A train

[cava104]

@brownieblush: u are so right!!

I always imagine i'm in a cool club with cool but yet freindly slightly fashioned wel educated people who don't do drugs and I'm dancing and flirting with nicen sexy yet elegant ladies...but it stays a fantasy cos there doesn't exist such clubs...cheers! Gert

[itonlyhappens]

This is amazing. What album is this from? I'd like to get it.

[chillbrotha01]

Have you guys heard Nikki Yanofsky do her rendition? I think its pretty niec

[mikeyt1374]

Who are these 24 people? They obviously have no respect for great music.

[igobywitty]

wow this does remind me of lady gaga

[daring01122]

Texas All State jazz improvisation was based on this song

[willwelsh816]

i love how there's no pics of a ny transit train haha.

[mssmsn]

One of the most beautiful songs of all time .... and she is SUBLIME!

Greetings from Italy!

[rainzoro]

...and the descendants of these great musicians now do hip-hop. Just fucking great.

[rad0210]

@worseto, I could not have stated it better! LMAO!

[DATKIDKUBBY]

be sure NOT to take the A train on rush hour......hella crowded smh....dealt wit it this morning

[cbrbasket1]

@DATKIDKUBBY I'd love to take the A train even on the rush hour :)

[YachtClubMusic1]

I don't know of a popular artist that gives me goose bumps like Ella Fitzgerald.

I think it's time we "get on-board the A-Train".

[90Sokol90]

Ella! What a voice!

[jla9180]

Brownie, go to a jazz club- lots of people love this music, and many musicians play it...

LOVE me some Ella!

[catzrok90]

gosh i love this music...even though blacks were mistreated and this continues today, they kick ass in american culture. they came up with jazz, swing, blues, gospel, R and B, rap, mowtown, and now vanillas like me try to talk like them (whats up man, whats goin down)and being gangsta is cool.they kick ass in sports (almost all of them), and apparently they're better in bed! haha. but we put them in jail, ignore them in schools, call them stupid, lazy. this dont describe ella and duke NOT AT ALL

[Fredonia2k]

@catzrok90 You should probably get yourself checked for retardation.

[emmaku]

@catzrok90 wow. be more racist please.

[zestytoaster]

@catzrok90 LOL. Affirmative action fail.

[didu52]

Could somebody Give me the year to when this was recoreded? or Give me an mp3 to be even Nicer. PLEASE :D

[oxford172]

@didu52 After alot of searching, I found out that this recording can be found on the Ella in Hollywood CD, just got it the other day :D

[Newempireofsound]

Pure musical epicness, What I would give to seen this live

[HayamaiProductions]

i think the best part was from 0:00 to 9:12

[bobbydebris77]

actually....she is the train !!! nine minutes of pure pleasure !!! wtf !!!

[cookiemonkey313]

does anyone know when this was originally recorded?

[95Galante]

The amount of great licks I could grab from this preformance is amazing - blows some intrumentalists out the water

[speeps84]

WHY ARE THERE SO MANY PICTURES OF TRAINS

[MrRicci8]

du grand Ella j'ADORE ........... quelle grande dame

[MrBrian1202]

Ella's a beast....Point Blank!!!

[edgarbm95]

i like when she says A train

[TheBrownTies]

all i can say is, wow.. ella is truly unbelievable

[TheMidnightGuy]

When you call yourself Ella Fitzgerald even the dulliest syllable become music.

[mercbaby]

GET YO ASS ON THE A TRAIN

[youngqueen112]

@mercbaby LOL!!!! XD  Ok I'll get on. :)

[evisedo]

Goodness me! So much talent!

[gibrish1948]

abseloutly fantastic

[brownieblush]

Wow, why can't popular artists be talented anymore? And why can't we sing dance? I'd kill to go to a club and here a song like this playing, and see a bunch of people swinging.

[scarlebloke]

@brownieblush Oh God - that is so, so true!

[MrKevin1a]

@brownieblush You've just gotta know where to look and be a little lucky. Chances are if you live in a larger city there is some kind of swing venue around, if not more than one. I live near Denver, and there is a fair amount of stuff here, and one place that books live bands and has a more club-like atmosphere than a lot of swing groups.

[B3nj4m1nB]

@brownieblush lolz tht would be a sight :)

[VocalHelen]

@brownieblush We have ainger like that (off course never quite like Ella) named Ann Farholt , and you get on board the swinging boat when she starts at our most jazzed club, La fontaine in Copenhagen. There is an old clip with her here on you tube.

regards :-)

[cava104]

@brownieblush: u are so right!!

I always imagine i'm in a cool club with cool but yet friendly slightly fashioned wel educated people who don't do drugs and I'm dancing and flirting with nice and sexy yet elegant ladies...but it stays a fantasy cos there doesn't exist such clubs...cheers! Gert

[jazzy6400]

@brownieblush

Hey, if you're ever in NYC you should stop by Swing 46. they always have live music, and dancers come out some nights. its just west of times square. they played this song tonight!

[Skytheater]

@brownieblush Becaues today the music company chooses looks over talent because they know we can simply auto tune anyone's voice!

[aarongrooves]

@brownieblush I think we don't hear music like this because people can make money with crap. And to make it worse, the corporations have figured that out. We're on a race to the bottom.

[JCStanton117]

What is the quickest way to get to Harlem?

[maxmoves64]

@JCStanton117 practice pracyice practice:)

[nzlotrfan]

Ella You Are The BEST There Is Was And To Come.

[supperbowl43]

Scat on board

[jeaniebthe1]

What an Ella va scat - I love the Chattanooga choo choo bit - there's so many songs to quote in this - I love dropping in Thomas the Tank theme and Paddington Bear too

[CRISNCHIPS12398]

I'm learning this on piano, it is so great

[Malicension]

Love the music, hate the lyrics.

[Giwilly18]

scat it ella!!!!

[Blackmoonclan2]

im playing this song in my band!

[bobwen51]

Ella is simply the best there ever was in her genre. ...and an amen to "francescaemc2: She WAS an instrument!

[worseto]

the first person that tries to compare lady ga ga to ella should be banned from you tube forever and thorn off a boat in the atlantic.

[brush200400]

@worseto yea lets thorn em!

[iGOTCHOPPERS1]

@worseto lady gaga hell no, but Justin Bieber omg.. nnnnaaaaaaaaatttttttttt

[SirMalker]

@worseto He should be banned from life.

[CristianaPiraino]

@worseto Lady gaga who??

[yonsaf1]

Why all the silly trains? It shows misunderstanding of the whole piece. The A-Train is a New York City Subway that runs up Manhattan to 125th Street (Harlem) and continues on to Washington Heights. Harlem was the center of the great jazz night clubs when this song was written.

[higgyrun3]

@yonsaf1 Yeah, those are random. I didn't look up the video to look at a catalog of train pictures.

[bryceep]

@yonsaf1 Just be grateful this use posted such an awesome song then. Who really watches these for the video? It's all about the song!

[AwareDisciple]

@worseto ..and tickled with feathers in their feet before that

[RZ1211]

One of the best songs I have ever heard.

[RockaRecord]

I'm 15 and god... Ella Fitzgerald is like therapy for my ears.

[Marlene55M]

@RockaRecord: Not only for your ears, but mainly for your brain and soul :-)

[mogulio23]

alma bonito ella,

cuenta cuentos cuando canta -

esooooooooooo ella fitzgerald!

[mogulio23]

alma bonito ella,

cuenta cuentos cuando canta -

esooooooooooo ella fitzgerald!

[pianist48]

GOLD!GOLD!GOLD!

[pprruti]

Really Catch theme!

[JOEdoesThings22]

nice vocalese

[Makreelvis]

GOLD

[kempo9jo]

great!!!!

[MrBrian1202]

Ella's Such a beast! This is what I based my scat off of when I sang it! Of course compared 2 Ella Im an amature. Lol

[lcar4000]

Great music. A minor complaint:  The trains shown in the video have nothing to do with the A train, Harlem, etc.

[theoperaman02]

words can't express the awesomeness of Ella. There will never be another like her!

[mmedefarge]

I often thought that the MTA should play this on that long stretch between 59th St. & 125.

[MrRicci8]

une performance vocale du pur Ella, la plus grande dame du jazz incontestablement , ca déménage

[paleandpoisonous]

pardon me boy, is that the Chattanooga choo choo? oh no it's the A train, iit's the A traiiin :D

[AgeofAdrian]

@paleandpoisonous i know that line in the song gives me chills, its sung so perfectly

[WeCamefortheDead]

Every vocalist should strive for the kind of control Ella had.

[RossTheHick]

Amazing, amazing music!!! When we have fake, plastic, cookie-cutter artists today, we learn to appreciate music like this. Wonderful.

[ahsmusicman1996]

What a way to wake up on Sunday Morning, the sun is shining and listening to Ella!

[kirocatempulsar]

5:55 "Guess theese people wonder what we're singing! we're still swinging and singing The A Train, you better hurry, hurry and get onboard"... man, she's something!!! don't worry 'bout me, i'm fine

[theandre37]

every jazz vocalist have to bow down to her she is the queen

[narf410]

pure, clear, never better, she is missed by jazz lover everywhere. lucky my father had all of the albums, cds etc..now they belong to me. I miss you ella!!!!!!!!

[narf410]

great voice, pure, clear she is missed by jazz lovers around the world, and will never be forgotten

[kurandatrain]

like all the pics

[gabbaflores]

me encanta esta version... la amo

[scatmando]

Swinging like a garden gate, Great.

[Lobojack57]

In those days, jazz was really jazz. Swing is essential.

[MonsieurZen]

quelle performance !!!!!

[ATRAINC]

Classic from Ella and the Duke.Song title same as my screename.LOL!

[tixpal]

She teach how think,and how feel the Jazz, cause this is the soul of the Swing.Sing whitout compiute word is the most natural approach to jazz.

Her voice is like a sax.

Beautiful solo, I love her!

[milkshakeiii]

Pardon me, boy, is that the Chatanooga Choo-Choo? Oh, no, it's the A-train... i-ih-it's the A-train.

(4:23 !!)

[flomar6892]

Where can I find this recording? I love it but can't find a download anywhere...

[sLeepPastNooN]

It's on "Ella in Hollywood" 1961

good luck!

[filmcrew1551]

1941?

[gracenote13]

this is the dream team... ella and the duke rule the swing world!

[8bitJoker]

pretty cool

[firestartertwistedfi]

oddly, southwest trains' services in the uk have yet to get a song in tribute

[fdsaw]

途中にパーカーのフレーズがあった

[EagleOnTheRhine]

Talk about legends....

[westcoastdigital]

A truly classic standard. My favourite. Duke Ellington was a dynamite artist who's instrument was his orchestra. Ella Fitzgerald, enough said. Outstanding. Could listen to this tune in its various interpretations without ever getting bored of it. Absolute Classic

[jaykay1053]

This is the best recording of "A Train" I've ever heard! Marvelous! Thanks Roca.

[ReTracer1]

"Pardon me boy, is that the chatanooga choo?' 'No, its the A Train!!!"

so cool.

I wish someone would post the long version. heh.