Ella Fitzgerald - Midnight Sun (1957)

MIDNIGHT SUN

"Midnight Sun" (1954) was originally an instrumental composed by Lionel Hampton and Sonny Burke in 1947 and is now considered a jazz standard.
Subsequently, Johnny Mercer wrote the words to the song.

One famous recording of the song with the Mercer lyrics is by Ella Fitzgerald on her album "Like Someone in Love" (1957) accompanied by a studio orchestra arranged and conducted by Frank DeVol. This album represents a fine example of Ella's singing from this period, recorded at the same time as her albums with Louis Armstrong.

The album was also recorded in the midst of her epic 'Songbooks' project, celebrating the composers of the 'Great American Songbook' and Broadway. The album features only four songs written by the composers featured in her 'Songbooks', instead concentrating on very famous ballads by lesser known writers. Some songs on the album were also recorded with Armstrong on the albums that they collaborated on from this period. The famous American saxophonist Stan Getz is featured on tenor sax on four tracks, including "Midnight Sun" and "You're Blasé". Ted Nash plays the alto sax and solos. Cover photos are by the great Phil Stern.

(Wikipedia)

LYRICS

Your lips were like a red and ruby chalice, warmer than the summer night
The clouds were like an alabaster palace rising to a snowy height.
Each star its own aurora borealis, suddenly you held me tight
I could see the Midnight Sun.

I can't explain the silver rain that found me--or was that a moonlit veil?
The music of the universe around me, or was that a nightingale?
And then your arms miraculously found me,suddenly the sky turned pale,
I could see the Midnight Sun.

Was there such a night, it's a thrill I still don't quite believe,
But after you were gone, there was still some stardust on my sleeve.

The flame of it may dwindle to an ember, and the stars forget to shine,
And we may see the meadow in December, icy white and crystalline,
But oh my darling always I'll remember when your lips were close to mine,
And we saw the Midnight Sun.

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[SapphyreSoul]

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.

[blackmountainboar]

beautiful poetry in musical motion that only Ella could capture

[garysaddleback]

Well, Ge . . . Thank you . . . after piano, the vibes are truly "Heaven's Instrument."

Gary

[Gé Stegerhoek]

Lionel Hampton

[garysaddleback]

Well, folks . . . She was truly a Master/Mistress of her craft . . . anybody know who's on the vibraphone?

But---that drawing on the Verve cover is . . . TERRIBLE!

Gary in Arizona

[Armando Corpus]

Sweet Happy Birthday to you darling.....best pop song ever....sung here by the best singer ever.....love you forever.

[amany5995]

ALWAYS JAZZ QUREEN!

[mizpahboy]

Your lips were like a red and ruby chalice.....Warmer than the summer night. That is one hell of a opening to a song. I remember as kid my mom would hum this song around the and you could just tell that she was in a special place at that time. This song is so beautiful and sensual that when you hear it....no matter who is performing it...it stops you dead in your tracks and makes you say damn!!

[Always1dreamer]

MISS ELLA AND HONNY MRCER.WHAT ELSE WOULD YOU ASK FOR?

[Alexis Ovalle]

Oh my God! Ella, according distances, the best !!!

[crossleydd42]

Anyone who can think of and link ‘alabaster palace’ and ‘aurora borealis’ is something special! The tune's not bad, either !

Funny how some lines stick in your minnd; they are so clever. I always recall, from "What a difference a day made" the line, 'It's Heaven when you find romance on your menu'!. 

[MrShunyata]

For me, Miss Ella is absolutely 'The First Lady of Song' and "Midnight Sun" happens to be my favorite song -- so, my friend, you are hitting on all cylinders. If you can find it, her 'Ella in Rome - The Birthday Concert' (she was 40) has some of the best live versions I've ever heard of her many masterpieces. Thanks for posting this song.