Ella Fitzgerald/Louis Armstrong Ella & Louis ( 180g vinyl LP )

Released date 24-09-2010( originally released in 1957)

2010 EU repressing 180 vinyl LP

featuring the 2 giants at their peak on some of the finest jazz standards ever recorded with smooth vocals that unmistakeable trumpet, and a little help from The Oscar Peterson Trio and Buddy Rich.

Outstanding are Irving Berlin's "Cheek to Cheek" and "Isn't This a Lovely Day," and everything else works like a dream, with the golden star going to the Gershwin brothers' "They Can't Take That Away from Me."

Tracks
A1 Can't We Be Friends
A2 Isn't This A Lovely Day To Be Caught In The Rain
A3 Moonlight In Vermont
A4 They Can't Take That Away From Me
A5 Under A Blanket Of Blue
A6 Tenderly

B1 Foggy Day
B2 Stars Fell On Alabama
B3 Cheek To Cheek
B4 Nearness Of You
B5 April In Paris

Ella and Louis is an inspired collaboration, masterminded by producer Norman Granz. Both artists were riding high at this stage in their careers, and Granz assembled a stellar quartet of Oscar Peterson (piano), Buddy Rich (drums), Herb Ellis (guitar) and Ray Brown (bass). Equally inspired was the choice of material, with the gruffness of Armstrong's voice blending like magic with Fitzgerald's stunningly silky delivery. Outstanding are Irving Berlin's "Cheek to Cheek" and "Isn't This a Lovely Day," and everything else works like a dream, with the golden star going to the Gershwin brothers' "They Can't Take That Away from Me." Gentle and sincere, this is deserving of a place in every home.

Recording August 1956 at Capitol Studios Los Angeles by Val Valentin / Production Norman Granz