Ella & Louis Again

Louis Armstrong & Ella Fitzgerald, Ella Fitzgerald, Louis Armstrong | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 25, 1990)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Polygram Records
• ASIN: B0000046X3
• In-Print Editions: Audio CD  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #200,796 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Limited audiophile 180gm vinyl LP pressing. Wax Time. --This text refers to the Vinyl edition.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

20 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars They're The Top, August 28, 2003

By 

Lawrence A. Schenbeck (Atlanta, GA USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Ella and Louis Again (Audio CD)

This is probably my favorite jazz/pop vocal album of all time. My best friend introduced me to it years ago, and I am overjoyed to see it properly reissued, complete, at long last. There's something magical in the way that Ella's elegance and Armstrong's robust humor combine to produce music of such overwhelming warmth and sophistication. When you hear Armstrong sing the deliciously quaint and suggestive verse to "Let's Do It," all about the little bluebell in the dell, and the little blue bird ("boid" in New Orleanian), and the little blue clerk, marrying Cole Porter's arch '30s wit to his own much deeper knowledge of human need, you will be won over forever. Likewise Fitzgerald's treatment of even the most mundane lyric -- as in "Don't Be That Way" -- makes it seem like pure gold, AND the most natural advice in the world.

Which is not to say that the material is inferior! These are well-chosen standards, lovely tunes that everyone ought to be humming. It's just that these two great singing musicians transform them into something really special. Get this! Get two copies, and give one to *your* best friend. You'll both be happy every time you listen.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Louis and Ella and Oscar Make Us Smile ! !, December 4, 2001

By 

arthur j murphy (Kenosha, Wisconsin) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Ella & Louis Again (Audio CD)

Besides being the world's BEST jazz pianist (Oscar), jazz songstress (Ella), and trumpet player (Louis), they loved each other's talents and knew how to have fun which rubs off on us listeners. Louis originated scat singing and Ella perfected it. To hear Louis' voice makes us smile and is such a sublime contrast to that perfect vocal instrument that Ella uses to soothe and thrill our ears. The recording is a masterpiece that entertains as few will ever do.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Paradise, August 23, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Ella & Louis Again (Audio CD)

This is definetely one of my top five favourite albums ever. I listen to it regularly and I never get tired of it. This occasionally amazes me. After all, this music is simple enough: standard jazz tunes, two voices, and a very discreet accompaniment by only a piano (and Peterson, who is so incredibly virtuoso when playing alone, is excellent at understating and remaining in background on this album), drums, a bass and sometimes Louis' trumpet. But the result is magical. Ella and Louis are perfect together, although their voices and styles couldn't be more different. Another reviewer described the blend as "gravel and molasses", and I couldn't put it better. Ella's sweet, pure voice and Louis' rough growl create a contrast that is just ravishing to the ear. And each song is filled with that discreet, subtle, intoxicating swing (kudos to the musicians as well as the singers, for that). Music like this can just brighten your day.