Fitzgerald, Ella and Armstrong, Louis - Ella & Louis (Verve Label) (Vinyl)

Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong - Ella & Louis (Verve Label) (Vinyl)

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.

Tracklisting:

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 
    
11. April in Paris