Ella and Louis

Ella and Louis is one of those records that feels completely natural from the first note. Producer Norman Granz brought together Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong at a point when both were flying, then surrounded them with a superb quartet: Oscar Peterson on piano, Buddy Rich on drums, Herb Ellis on guitar, and Ray Brown on bass.

The song selection is just as sharp. Armstrong’s rough-edged warmth and Fitzgerald’s beautifully smooth phrasing fit together brilliantly, giving these standards an easy charm and real depth. Cheek to Cheek and Isn't This a Lovely Day, both by Irving Berlin, are real highlights, and the Gershwin brothers’ They Can't Take That Away from Me is an obvious standout.

Gentle, sincere, and endlessly listenable, this is a record that earns its place in any collection.

Tracks

• 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
• 12. Autumn In New York
• 13. I’ve Got My Love To Keep Me Warm
• 14. Let’s Call The Whole Thing O
• 15. Love Is Here To Stay
• 16. Stompin’ At The Savoy (Bonus Cd Tracks)