ELLA FITZGERALD AND LOUIS ARMSTRONG - ELLA AND LOUIS (180g IMPORT LP)

“Satchmo” and the grande dame of jazz certainly need no further introduction. In the 50s, as today, just the mere mention of Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong's forenames is enough to light up the any music fan's eyes. A glance at this collaborative album's tracklist reveals that tranquility rules the day; wild stomps and improvised scats are neither sought nor missed. Of prime importance to the jazz-ballads here is the feeling of “letting oneself drift."

The background combo, made up of first-class musicians and led by Oscar Peterson, performs with great concentration and almost obtrusive unobtrusiveness. Verve's highly successful producer, Norman Granz, decided quite deliberately to make the recording in the studio instead of at a live session. Success has verified his judgement, for such vocal jazz knows only gentle tones – but the result is all the more intensive for that.

Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong Ella & Louis Track Listing:

  1.    Can't We Be Friends 
  2.    Isn't This a Lovely Day 
  3.    Moonlight in Vermont 
  4.    They can't take that away from Me 
  5.    Under a Blanket of Blue 
  6.    Tenderly 
  7.    A Foggy Day 
  8.    Stars Fell on Alabama 
  9.    Cheek to Cheek 
  10.   The Nearness of You