Ella Fitzgerald - Pure Ella (1994)

This outstanding 20-track anthology gives those who didn't get any of the various Fitzgerald reissues a chance to hear what all the furor was about. This disc combines the classy Ella Sings Gershwin album with eight other standards. There's very sparse support, much of it coming from stately pianist Ellis Larkins, long a favorite of vocalists everywhere for his ability to support without intruding. Otherwise, it's Fitzgerald's sublime voice, interpreting and dissecting sentiments, themes, and moods with the touch of a master. She never oversings, rushes, or fails to get everything from a tune. Besides great diction and technique, she's also simply a marvelous vocalist. There are no straining, unnecessary inflections, grunts or moans, but she also doesn't coast or hold back during her performances.