I can't believe the negative comments by the naysayers in this review, what do these reviewers have---cotton in their ears?? This is, quite simply, Ella's BEST live recording....yes, even BETTER than her legendary Berlin concert in '60, released as "Ella in Berlin: Mack the Knife". In contrast to that overrated recording, Ella sounds invigorated and fresh here. The "Mack the Knife" concert is often touted and overblown only because of Ella's electrifying improvisational performance of the title song. Yes, that was an ingenious moment where she made up the words as she sang along, never skipping a beat. Here on the Birthday Concert CD, there is no one song that stands out, rather almost the entire set blends seamlessly into one cohesive concert and performance. If there is a standout, Ella truly brings down the house in her tender rendering of the two ballads, "I Love You Porgy" and "These Foolish Things". I dare any listener not to be moved or touched in the slightest way after these two performances. Her take of "I Can't Give You Anything But Love" is hilarious as she imitates Louis "Satchmo" Armstrong and Rose Murphy in the same song. The ballads are what makes this CD a must buy. Her "Angel Eyes" almost makes you forget Sinatra's version, and she's backed by a first-rate trio.

Also, when are people gonna believe that Ella was born in 1917, NOT 1918 as records often mislead the public to think. It's only a year's difference, but the lady was born in 1917. So when you read the liner notes from this CD, she was actually 41 that day, not 40 as they would like you to believe.

Ella Fitzgerald's live recording, recorded in the Italian capital on her 41st birthday and for the first time published in 1988 -- yes, after 30 years -- is often overlooked, probably due to its late appearance in the catalogue, but, in fact, sets a standard for what a live jazz vocal album should sound like.

At 41, Ella's incomparable voice is pristine in quality (as showcased, for instance, on classic "Sophisticated Lady"), full of swinging power ("St. Louis Blues", "That Old Black Magic"), touchingly intimate ("These Foolish Things") and hailing the greats like Frankie and Elvis.

But if there's something for which to buy this (the previously mentioned tracks are more than enough), it's her imitation of long-time pal Louis "Pops" Armstrong in "Can't Give You Anything" -- you must hear to believe.

The trio Levy-Bennett-Johnson do a good job, leaving Ella's voice up in front. And the closer "Stompin' at the Savoy" welcomes the great Oscar Peterson on stage and lets Ella once again change the lyric and quip "Oscar -- we're through" -- a hint of the great mood there was in Rome back in 1958. Introductions by Verve label 'father' Norman Granz are also a good thing to be included and show the atmosphere.

To compare, listen to "I Loves You Porgy" here and on the "Best of Ella and Louis" -- the two versions are rather different.

The only song this set would do without quite well is probably Duke Ellington's "Caravan", lacking anything memorable.

However, if you would like to own just one CD of the great voice belonging to the Lady Named Ella, with "Live in Rome" you can't go wrong.

This is Ella at her absolute best, in Rome on her 41st birthday (don't believe the liner notes), and singing brilliantly. I've owned the disc for about five months now, and I still can't say one song is better than another. All of the songs are high quality (but wasn't everything with Ella?) and they encompass virtually her entire repetoire of that time. What a great live recording from the first lady of song!

it's april 25, 1958. it's ella fitzgerald's 40th birthday party. in Rome. don't be a stick in the mud. make it on out. this is an excellent live recording. vibrant and spirited. fine sound quality. ella's extraordinary voice is, well, extraordinary throughout the set. full of grace, power, and charm. full of personality. don't miss out.

If you could have only one CD of Ella's this would be it. You really feel like you're at the Rome concert with Ella and her stellar back up band. It's a pleasure to hear Ella's joyful swing above Oscar Peterson's understated finesse. You'll hear Ella sing in many moods...from her playful impersonations of Louis Armstrong and Elvis Presley to more introspective songs.