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Ella Fitzgerald & Joe Pass — Nature Boy
Album: Fitzgerald And Pass . . . Again
Avg rating:
8.3

Your rating:
Total ratings: 1131









Released: 1976
Length: 2:22
Plays (last 30 days): 0
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There was a boy
A very strange, enchanted boy
They say he wandered very far, very far
Over land and sea
A little shy and sad of eye
But very wise was he

And then one day
A magic day he passed my way
And while we spoke of many things
Fools and kings
This he said to me
"The greatest thing you'll ever learn
Is just to love and be loved in return"

"The greatest thing you'll ever learn
Is just to love and be loved in return"
Comments (110)add comment
 thewiseking wrote:

Joe Pass was the greatest. Absolute virtuoso. Ella misses here.



Sorry, clicked on thumb down by acident.

Posted 3 years ago by andersonesanto    [ Reply ]
Joe Pass was the greatest. Absolute virtuoso. Ella misses here.
Posted 7 years ago by thewiseking    [ Reply ]
 idiot_wind wrote:
I think this is hard to prove, but she probably had the most perfect singing voice ever recorded.

There's nobody close.   

 
Maybe. But I recently heard some jazz while traveling along in a car, a gorgeous female voice, and I thought, assumed it was Ella, but it was Sarah Vaughan.  Either my ear is untutored, or there has been more than one perfect Ella type. 
Posted 7 years ago by kingart    [ Reply ]
Jesus! You continue to surprise me. 
Posted 7 years ago by GeorgeMWoods    [ Reply ]
I think this is hard to prove, but she probably had the most perfect singing voice ever recorded.

There's nobody close.   
Posted 7 years ago by idiot_wind    [ Reply ]
Ella, you are stellar.
Posted 7 years ago by On_The_Beach    [ Reply ]
 ajlept wrote:
My hairs be standing up! Simply a 10!

 
Same here! This is goosebumpingly good! Solid 10! 

 
Posted 7 years ago by VH1    [ Reply ]
My hairs be standing up! Simply a 10!
Posted 9 years ago by ajlept    [ Reply ]
that piece of music was stunning in its grace and simplicity, an angel's voice   Ella
Posted 9 years ago by hayduke2    [ Reply ]
Saw her live at Mountain Winery in Los Gatos many years ago. Great by herself, but when Joe Pass walked onstage with her... well, what a treat.
Posted 9 years ago by stalfnzo    [ Reply ]
Simply sweet. Not heard them together before.
Posted 10 years ago by grazie    [ Reply ]
 Catecaneverall wrote:
the tennest of tens I ever gave... her voice is just hmmmmmmmmmmmmm....
 
"The tennest of tens" ... yessir, you said it! 
Posted 10 years ago by unclehud    [ Reply ]
 ShloEmi wrote:
I heard this song lots of times and it still {#Heartkiss} chills me (for the good :-)). 

 
Amen
Posted 10 years ago by janac13    [ Reply ]
I heard this song lots of times and it still {#Heartkiss} chills me (for the good :-)). 
Posted 10 years ago by ShloEmi    [ Reply ]
Wow. This is pure awesomeness...
Posted 11 years ago by heeb    [ Reply ]
Ella is an ELEVEN!!!

IN  gratitude, many thanks
Posted 11 years ago by fitmartin    [ Reply ]
Perfection.......
Posted 11 years ago by swell_sailor    [ Reply ]
Good night!!
Posted 11 years ago by helgigermany    [ Reply ]
the tennest of tens I ever gave... her voice is just hmmmmmmmmmmmmm....
Posted 11 years ago by Catecaneverall    [ Reply ]
I love Ella. I hate this song. 
Posted 11 years ago by Grammarcop    [ Reply ]
niiiccce. grabs ears on first note outta ella's mouth
Posted 11 years ago by RabbitEars    [ Reply ]
I fell in love with Ella at a young age. Then, somewhere in my twenties, I heard her with Joe Pass. I just remember the shock.
I listened to their albums together endlessly.
I admit that I somehow don't get Joe Pass' music... but what he does supporting Ella's singing is magical.
A defining musical moment to me.

P.S. About George Benson's version: his live album "Week-end in L. A." is one of the records I have most listened to in my whole life (and I'm a piano/keyboard player...) I am just happy that Ella and Joe did their take on it!
Posted 12 years ago by fedtho    [ Reply ]
 Dinges,_the_Dude wrote:
I prefer the version by George Benson.
 
I prefer the Nat "King" Cole version, but this is cool, as is Mr. Benson's version.
Posted 12 years ago by Proclivities    [ Reply ]
The Real Deal.
Posted 12 years ago by joelbb    [ Reply ]
Pass really knew how to accompany a singer and add his own touches w/o stealing the spotlight.  Saw him live a few times and he was terrific.
Posted 12 years ago by bachbeet    [ Reply ]
Somebody from Desert Hot Springs wrote this song?
Amazing.
Thanks for that info Bill.
I didn't realize something good came from Desperate Hot Flash... what we locals call it.
Or Meth Lab Heaven also.
Posted 12 years ago by KurtfromLaQuinta    [ Reply ]
 Dinges,_the_Dude wrote:
I prefer the version by George Benson.
 
1053 Oud-West,Nederland
Posted 12 years ago by Teoripa    [ Reply ]
I prefer the version by George Benson.
Posted 12 years ago by Dinges,_the_Dude    [ Reply ]

Joe Pass - "All the Things You Are" Live:

Posted 14 years ago by calypsus_1    [ Reply ]
Sublime.  There'll never be another Ella.  :-)
Posted 14 years ago by big_gare    [ Reply ]
 rtrudeau wrote:
Dear God. My eyes will never recover.

 
I'm all for burning the First Amendment here and now.

Posted 15 years ago by ScottFromWyoming    [ Reply ]
 Wizzuvv_oz wrote:

I _quite_ agree.  Even though EWWWW is not normally a word I would use, I will make an exception here as it is very appropriate
(song's a 7 for me though)
 
I thought this comment was about Ella Fitzgerald's warm and beautiful voice, and began to think of what I could say to protest this injustice. Little did I know what indignity awaited me. Then I made the grave mistake of scrolling down the page.

Dear God. My eyes will never recover.

Posted 15 years ago by rtrudeau    [ Reply ]
I don't know why this isn't a 10 on everyone's list, but whatever.

Ella is like smooth brandy-warm and intoxicating.
Posted 15 years ago by lovemydog    [ Reply ]
 denmom wrote:

So disturbing, on so many levels...EWWWWWWWW...

 
I _quite_ agree.  Even though EWWWW is not normally a word I would use, I will make an exception here as it is very appropriate
(song's a 7 for me though)
Posted 15 years ago by Wizzuvvoz    [ Reply ]
I've always liked this song; particularly Nat King Cole's version.
Posted 15 years ago by Proclivities    [ Reply ]
 Laptopdog wrote:


 
So disturbing, on so many levels...EWWWWWWWW...

Posted 15 years ago by denmom    [ Reply ]
Perfect. Heartbreaking.
Posted 15 years ago by eyeswideopen    [ Reply ]
I can't help but think of
zher
singing this...
Posted 16 years ago by trekhead    [ Reply ]
She could sing out of the phone book, and I would swoon... {#Propeller}
Posted 16 years ago by WonderLizard    [ Reply ]
 Laptopdog wrote:

CENSORED due to horrific content!

 
OMG... was that totally necessary?! That was WAY worse than the David Hasselhoff thing elsewhere on this forum... I am ruined for the rest of the day!

Posted 16 years ago by Kristi    [ Reply ]
Shit, my wine glass just broke!

Posted 16 years ago by cosmiclint    [ Reply ]
be carefull to play this musics

Posted 16 years ago by marmoteenha    [ Reply ]
Wonderful!  So different from the sort of thing by Ella with which I am familiar.  Lovely! 

It's music like this on RP for which I listen, surviving the stuff I don't like to hear transcendent moments like this.
Posted 16 years ago by Govi    [ Reply ]
Amazing. I'm speechless.
Posted 16 years ago by ethanpil    [ Reply ]
Posted 16 years ago by Laptopdog    [ Reply ]
Today, I was supposed to go see a free jazz tribute to Joe Pass and Ella. I was so excited that I invited most of my friends. It got canceled because of the weather. At least I can run to RP and hear the real thing. Thanks Bill.
Posted 16 years ago by DebateG    [ Reply ]
madaxeman wrote:
Sublime.
Truly.
Posted 16 years ago by nigelr    [ Reply ]
So sweet, so almost perfect. A solid 9.
Posted 17 years ago by dionysius    [ Reply ]
I like the song. but i think i like Radka Toneff's version better. Maybe because I got to hear her's first.. However, this is good too, wondering how the rest of the cd is..
Posted 17 years ago by Candela    [ Reply ]
My Mother took me to see Ella with Joe Pass a hundred years ago. She bought the ticket and insisted I join her and her friends to see one of their heroines. I was probably about 15 or 16 years old. I remember being floored at the power of the talent of these two people. Ella was...superlatives fail me. And Joe Pass blew my little teenage guitar-playing brain to tiny pieces. Perfect indeed. Thanks Mom.
Posted 17 years ago by birdland    [ Reply ]
perfect
Posted 17 years ago by jameyp    [ Reply ]
MJMJ wrote:
I see Uhuru!
...looks more like Rosario from "Will and Grace"!
Posted 17 years ago by DrCyKosis    [ Reply ]
I think Ella is Don King's mother.
Posted 17 years ago by Alpine    [ Reply ]
Sublime.
Posted 17 years ago by madaxeman    [ Reply ]
MJMJ wrote:
I see Uhuru!
I think you mean Uhura
Posted 17 years ago by Pyro    [ Reply ]
Ella, she is SO COOL! Love this song, love Ella.
Posted 17 years ago by Tagish_girl    [ Reply ]
I really don\'t care for this.
Posted 17 years ago by hippiechick    [ Reply ]
I see Uhuru!
Posted 17 years ago by MJMJ    [ Reply ]
On_The_Beach wrote:
Isn't that Ray Charles under there?
Posted 17 years ago by Antigone    [ Reply ]
Just brilliant! love the guitar parts
Posted 17 years ago by uritsukidoji    [ Reply ]
A-MA-ZING!
Posted 17 years ago by Welly    [ Reply ]
Fantastic ... I LOVE RP
Posted 17 years ago by undo_silence    [ Reply ]
haunting...
Posted 17 years ago by Wilmshurst    [ Reply ]
One of my favorite things about RP is the standards that pop up once in a while, like this gem.
Posted 17 years ago by Inamorato    [ Reply ]
Alpine wrote:
Nice wig Ella.
Isn't that Ray Charles under there?
Posted 17 years ago by On_The_Beach    [ Reply ]
Nice wig Ella.
Posted 17 years ago by Alpine    [ Reply ]
algrif wrote:
Facts from Wikipedia:- Ahbez composed the song about friend and fellow freegan hippie Robert Gypsy Boots Bootzin, which told a fantasy of a "strange enchanted boy" "who wandered very far" only to learn that "the greatest gift" "was just to love and be loved in return." The song's melody is based on a Yiddish tune, Schweig Mein Hertz (Be Still My Heart). "Nature Boy" was a primary theme of the film score for the 1948 film The Boy with Green Hair. The original version of the song was used for the film. It was also the introductory song for the film Moulin Rouge!. 19 listed versions Nat King Cole took the song to Nº1 on Billboard.
This song is my favorate song. I even collect versions of it. I have yet to hear a version I dont like.
Posted 17 years ago by h2o    [ Reply ]
algrif wrote:
Facts from Wikipedia:- Ahbez composed the song about friend and fellow freegan hippie Robert Gypsy Boots Bootzin, which told a fantasy of a "strange enchanted boy" "who wandered very far" only to learn that "the greatest gift" "was just to love and be loved in return." The song's melody is based on a Yiddish tune, Schweig Mein Hertz (Be Still My Heart). "Nature Boy" was a primary theme of the film score for the 1948 film The Boy with Green Hair. The original version of the song was used for the film. It was also the introductory song for the film Moulin Rouge!. 19 listed versions Nat King Cole took the song to Nº1 on Billboard.
I remember that movie, The Boy with the Green Hair. Yes, thanks for the intersting info.
Posted 17 years ago by Artgoddessmama    [ Reply ]
NKC version is very nice, but like NKC ever did anything badly.
Posted 17 years ago by celadonstone    [ Reply ]
THE voice
Posted 17 years ago by HombreDeMezcal    [ Reply ]
This, to me, is an example of a perfect song. SO GOOD.
Posted 17 years ago by ploafmaster    [ Reply ]
My first exposure to the song was Moulin Rouge. Thanks to RP for allowing me to hear THIS great version. As a previous poster said, a great song no matter who sings it.
Posted 17 years ago by Pyro    [ Reply ]
STUNNING....10+
Posted 17 years ago by mirkolazza    [ Reply ]
not-a-fish wrote:
This is one of my favourite songs. No matter who sings it.
i agree wholeheartedly! but i do love ella.
Posted 17 years ago by phillips    [ Reply ]
This is one of my favourite songs. No matter who sings it.
Posted 17 years ago by not-a-fish    [ Reply ]
algrif wrote:
Facts from Wikipedia:- Ahbez composed the song about friend and fellow freegan hippie Robert Gypsy Boots Bootzin, which told a fantasy of a "strange enchanted boy" "who wandered very far" only to learn that "the greatest gift" "was just to love and be loved in return." The song's melody is based on a Yiddish tune, Schweig Mein Hertz (Be Still My Heart). "Nature Boy" was a primary theme of the film score for the 1948 film The Boy with Green Hair. The original version of the song was used for the film. It was also the introductory song for the film Moulin Rouge!. 19 listed versions Nat King Cole took the song to Nº1 on Billboard.
Awesome! Thanks for the info!
Posted 18 years ago by smilestoomuch    [ Reply ]
Dirktooth wrote:
While the Beatle's version never did too much for me, Ella's cover of it infuses the lyrics with deep emotion and a sense of hard-earned knowledge.
Paul wrote an acoustic song called Mother Nature's Son, which was on the White Album and has no relation to Nature Boy.
Posted 18 years ago by ThePoose    [ Reply ]
Ella is indeed a legend, but Joe Pass is one of the all time giants of Jazz Guitar....
Posted 18 years ago by junebaby65    [ Reply ]
silky smooth...
Posted 18 years ago by daveesh    [ Reply ]
This is only a "8.4" rating. I pity those.....
Posted 18 years ago by slowhand    [ Reply ]
Facts from Wikipedia:- Ahbez composed the song about friend and fellow freegan hippie Robert Gypsy Boots Bootzin, which told a fantasy of a "strange enchanted boy" "who wandered very far" only to learn that "the greatest gift" "was just to love and be loved in return." The song's melody is based on a Yiddish tune, Schweig Mein Hertz (Be Still My Heart). "Nature Boy" was a primary theme of the film score for the 1948 film The Boy with Green Hair. The original version of the song was used for the film. It was also the introductory song for the film Moulin Rouge!. 19 listed versions Nat King Cole took the song to Nº1 on Billboard.
Posted 18 years ago by algrif    [ Reply ]
awesome voice!
Posted 18 years ago by ndfan75    [ Reply ]
TKTuttle wrote:
Beautiful. I hear the song from the end of "Moulin Rouge" in parts of her singing.
I can't imagine why...
Posted 18 years ago by rumplestiltskin    [ Reply ]
Oh! Beautiful.
Posted 18 years ago by zipper    [ Reply ]
Beautiful. I hear the song from the end of "Moulin Rouge" in parts of her singing.
Posted 18 years ago by TKTuttle    [ Reply ]
What a treat.
Posted 18 years ago by outerspace    [ Reply ]
JokesandJokesandJokes wrote:
Put the red away!
HA! Don't tell ME what to do! HA!
Posted 18 years ago by chucklesalmon    [ Reply ]
I had no idea there were so many versions of this song; the first I heard was the Bowie one on the Moulin Rouge soundtrack. Thanks for showing us the variety Bill!
Posted 18 years ago by UltraNurd    [ Reply ]
One of the most magical pairings of vocalist and instrumentalist. This is unbelievably good.
Posted 18 years ago by ploafmaster    [ Reply ]
Beautiful!
Posted 18 years ago by zair99    [ Reply ]
If you followed this one with "The Man Who Sailed Around His Soul" by XTC you might have something.....
Posted 18 years ago by jdorn1    [ Reply ]
ursus88 wrote:
Mahvelous ... a voice like buttah.
Oh yeah. Very cool.
Posted 18 years ago by rixtar99    [ Reply ]
Well....Ella's got a huge repertoire of incredible tunes. This one's pretty good, but it mainly reminds me of seeing her on TV as a kid. She'd be on Ed Sullivan or something like that and she'd be scatting along with everyone being very appreciative. As a kid, I wasn't too exicited. Some years back I got to hear a lot of what she did earlier in her career and was amazed. I'm a huge fan of hers at this point, but the stuff later in her career just doesn't do too much for me.
Posted 18 years ago by tonypf    [ Reply ]
Great, great song, but Nat King Cole's version is still the definitive one for me.
Posted 18 years ago by kult    [ Reply ]
I bought the album this track is from after hearing this incredible version of "Nature Boy". Another great RP find.
Posted 19 years ago by Luthien    [ Reply ]
I love you, Ella! Victoria Williams also does a quirky but lovely version of this song.
Posted 19 years ago by susafina    [ Reply ]
Mahvelous ... a voice like buttah.
Posted 19 years ago by ursus88    [ Reply ]
Dirktooth wrote:
While the Beatle's version never did too much for me, Ella's cover of it infuses the lyrics with deep emotion and a sense of hard-earned knowledge.
I've never heard the Beatles' version. Didn't even know it existed. Where can I find it? Anyone?
Posted 19 years ago by WonderLizard    [ Reply ]
While the Beatle's version never did too much for me, Ella's cover of it infuses the lyrics with deep emotion and a sense of hard-earned knowledge.
Posted 19 years ago by Dirktooth    [ Reply ]
mmmm... nice!
Posted 19 years ago by stornoway    [ Reply ]
saw her a week before july 4 in 1976 at ravinia (sp?) north of chicago. captivating. cap-ti-va-ting. her beautiful face, her fabulous voice, her obvious love of the stage.
Posted 19 years ago by bubble_headed_beach_blond    [ Reply ]
rulebritannia wrote:
One of my favorite songs (so you can imagine how old I am). Despite her exquisite voice, however, I find Ella's versions of the classics anodyne.
this is almost as good as the Nat King Cole version...
Posted 20 years ago by rah    [ Reply ]
ZeNeece wrote:
Fabulous and beautiful
Put the red away!
Posted 20 years ago by JokesandJokesandJokes    [ Reply ]
I really like this. It so simple, if you ignore the incredible talent of the people making it. Unfortunately, the title makes me think it's an Adam Sandler movie.
Posted 20 years ago by rcurrier    [ Reply ]
so pure, so beautiful.
Posted 20 years ago by Alt-Ctrl-Tom    [ Reply ]
Fabulous and beautiful
Posted 20 years ago by ZeNeece    [ Reply ]
My first impression when this started playing was WTF? But Ella's voice is so sweet it just melted me towards total appreciation of this song. Joe Pass's simple musical tones really are soothing. I can see where Miles got some of his sound.
Posted 20 years ago by samiyam    [ Reply ]
Fabulous tune! Thanks for having the good taste to let us enjoy this one :D
Posted 20 years ago by Byte_Me    [ Reply ]
One of my favorite songs (so you can imagine how old I am). Despite her exquisite voice, however, I find Ella's versions of the classics anodyne.
Posted 20 years ago by rulebritannia    [ Reply ]