35. Kate Schutt Discusses Ella Fitzgerald Sings the Cole Porter Song Book

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Songwriter/guitarist/vocalist/producer/arranger Kate Schutt nudges me out of my comfort zone for this episode of You, Me and An Album, as we discuss Ella Fitzgerald Sings the Cole Porter Song Book (1956), the first pre-1960s album featured on this podcast. We talked about Kate’s latest album (Bright Nowhere), how she absorbed Ella Fitzgerald’s music by osmosis during her childhood, Cole Porter’s unique place among songwriters and her thoughts about selected tracks from the featured double album.

I mentioned Kate’s TEDx talk on helping friends and family who are grieving. It’s a must-watch, and you can find it here: https://youtu.be/IfDV103duCM

Kate recommended that we all check out Ella Fitzgerald’s famous performance of Mack the Knife — the one where she forgot the lyrics. I put a brief clip in the show, but you can hear the whole thing here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7OkasoG1gtc

Kate is easy to find on Twitter and Instagram at @kateschutt. You can find out more about her and her music, art and book on her website, kateschutt.com.

Al is on Twitter at @almelchiorBB and on both Twitter and Instagram at @youmealbum. Be sure to follow the latter accounts for announcements of upcoming guests and albums.

1:22 Kate joins the show

2:33 Al breaks one of his rules with this album

3:28 Kate worked with Rob Mounsey on her latest album, Bright Nowhere

5:59 Kate wrote the songs for Bright Nowhere while her mother was in remission from ovarian cancer

9:37 Kate hopes to be able to play her songs live again soon

11:42 Kate heard Ella Fitzgerald a lot growing up

15:30 Kate’s musical taste is eclectic; she just likes great songs

16:29 Herbie Hancock’s The River is a great example of songs that are just as great with different vocalists singing them

17:22 This Ella Fitzgerald double album went a long way towards making Cole Porter’s songs a part of the Great American Song Book

18:48 The Red, Hot and Blue compilation brought Cole Porter’s songs to a new generation

20:27 Cole Porter’s style of writing lyrics and his economy with words remains distinctive

23:28 How did Kate wind up writing a book about songwriting?

28:52 Which Ella Fitzgerald song is Kate’s favorite?

31:11 We’re not discussing the entire double album

Breakdown of selected tracks

32:17 Anything Goes

38:05 Miss Otis Regrets

45:27 Too Darn Hot

49:41 I Get a Kick Out of You

52:07 How do Cole Porter and Ella Fitzgerald help Kate with her songwriting?

59:19 Let’s Do It, Let’s Fall in Love

1:01:43 One of Those Things

1:04:51 Begin the Beguine

1:08:56 You Do Something To Me

1:13:19 Ridin’ High

1:15:47 Love For Sale

1:21:45 It’s De-Lovely

Outro music is from Roll the Stone Back by Kate Schutt.

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