Lydia MacDonald was a Scottish-born vocalist who worked quite a bit with Piero Piccioni. Her vocal timbre and mannerisms are very similar to Ella's, especially in the low- to mid-register.
I know very little about her. Here is a recording of her doing the standard "East of the Sun."
At the time I saw it on video I loved the songs and score for Fury on the Bosporous. Someone told me they are on the 1987 LP Lydia MacDonald - Piero Piccioni on General music, and indeed they are. Nice double LP, much recommended if you don't already have it.
This is the trailer for Fury on the bosporous with the awesome song in it:
And what do you mean "Ella who?" There is only one. The vocal similarities are unmistakable. Lydia clearly modeled her style after Ella.
Speaking for myself, I'm not on a first-name basis with any performing artist who is not connected with either soundtrack collecting or 20th-century classical music.
I can hazard a guess that you are referring to Ella Fitzgerald, but I don't listen to Gospel music ... so maybe there are additional performers named "Ella" with whom I'm not familiar.
After all, when we chat about the music of Villa-Lobos, we don't merely mention "Heitor" and assume every person reading will know the subject is Villa-Lobos.
Lydia is with Piccioni until at least 1966 or 67 (Mr. Dante Fontana).
Nice to know. I don't recall which titles MacDonald worked on in '66 or '67, but my mind continues to associate her with Piccioni's soundtracks for early '60s B&W films.
Hello-- Lydia was my aunt so it's nice to see thee comments about her. She was a very big fan of Ella Fitzgerald . Ella was her favourite singer and she met her once in Rome and had a cup of tea with her--an occasion she very much cherished. Here's hoping some more of her soundtrack and other work comes to light..David
We fans of Piero Piccioni film music would surely like to hear some feedback from you (if you remember, that is) regarding Lydia MacDonald's times with Piero and recording sessions and so forth.
Would you mind writing a little more about your Aunt's times in the studios?
I have received this El CD in the mail on the last day of September, and I must say this album surpassed my expectations. It's like a snapshot of Piccioni and MacDonald from 1962! Not only are there 6 cues from MAFIOSO, but selections on other '62 Piccioni scores such as SENILITA', LA COMMARE SECA and IL MONDO DI NOTTE #2. There's some pre-'62 tracks, too, but the discs finishes the program with the '62 Piccioni/MacDonald jazz LP.
Hello-- Lydia was my aunt so it's nice to see thee comments about her. She was a very big fan of Ella Fitzgerald . Ella was her favourite singer and she met her once in Rome and had a cup of tea with her--an occasion she very much cherished. Here's hoping some more of her soundtrack and other work comes to light..David
Hi David, and welcome to the board!
Would love to know more about Lydia. How did she end up in Italy working with Piccioni and other composers?
There is only one. The vocal similarities are unmistakable. Lydia clearly modeled her style after Ella. 
