Ella Fitzgerald/Louis Armstrong: Ella & Louis Again (2LP, Verve Acoustic Sounds Series) [VERVE]

Why you'll love it

This Verve Acoustic Sounds Series 2LP set was mastered from the original analogue tapes by Ryan K. Smith at Sterling Sound and pressed on 180g vinyl at Quality Record Pressings. Inside are 19 Great American Songbook standards from two of the most loved voices in jazz, backed by Oscar Peterson, Herb Ellis, Ray Brown and Louie Bellson.

This edition

• 2LP set
• 180g vinyl
• Verve Acoustic Sounds Series
• Mastered from the original analogue tapes
• Pressed at Quality Record Pressings
• Tip-on gatefold jacket

About the album

The first Ella and Louis went so well in 1956 that producer Norman Granz did the obvious thing and booked them again. Over three Hollywood sessions in July and August 1957, at Capitol Studios and Radio Recorders, the pair went back to the microphone with the Oscar Peterson trio, now joined by drummer Louie Bellson, and came out with enough for a double album.

This time Granz mixed duets with solo spots, so each singer gets room to stretch. Ella floats through "These Foolish Things" and "Ill Wind," Louis takes "Willow Weep for Me" and an eight-minute "Let's Do It," and the two of them trade affectionate jabs on "A Fine Romance," "They All Laughed" and "Let's Call the Whole Thing Off." Satchmo's trumpet comes out for six numbers, including a gorgeous "Autumn in New York" and a loose, swinging "Learnin' the Blues" to close.

The chemistry is the whole point: her silk against his gravel, both of them clearly having a lovely afternoon. Four sides of this is the sort of thing that makes people quietly cancel their evening plans and put the kettle on.

Also at Kops: more Ella Fitzgerald on vinyl · browse Vocal Jazz

Tracklist

Listen

On Verve / UMe, a reissue of the 1957 album.