Customer Reviews

Ella and Louis

5 star:		(48)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Nostalgia is an annoying emotion, and irritating to hear about, because there are always worthy artists working, and there will always be the potential for sublime music. But an album likes this really makes you yearn for older days - I don't particularly like the idea of missing out everything that followed this album, in the 60's etc., but where can you find a voice like Ella's today, and a musical supremo like Louis?

I believe that Ella Fitzgerald has the greatest voice in jazz...I hesitate to say in ANY music, because it is difficult to compare classically trained singers with jazz ones, but hers in any case is so warm and beautiful as to touch your soul. In this album, it is allowed to express itself fully, and since no voice can be perfect, is even enhanced by the harmonies it engages in with Louis'.

His trumpet playing is excellent, though singing is given the main emphasis, where his extraordinary sense of rhythm, and his sheer enjoyment of the music make him more than a match for Ella. The instrumental section performs a little backing masterpiece of its own, with the supreme Oscar Peterson trio plus drummer doing that great musical trick of making themselves pretty much unnoticeable UNLESS you take them out.

Every song here is a delight, bringing plenty of smiles and sighs. The album works because of the constant craftsmanship, and I am sure the remastering people deserve some credit, because the sound quality is very high.

It would be very difficult not to enjoy this album...and a special note to people in the northern hemisphere - this is a great summer album. Get buying!

You could not have more of a contrast between two voices between Ella and Louis. Ella's: like a glass of warm milk, silky and smooth. Louis': like a bear hug, rough and tumble. Who would think this combination would work? Both artists had such huge successes singing on their own and have such distinct styles, that you would think that their voices would conflict with each other in an egomaniacal disaster.
And yet there is a convergence without compromise. Their voices play off of each other, complementing each other's features, and yet nothing is lost in each's distinctness. They both bring everything they have to the table, and magically somehow, the table is big enough to fit everything.

And then there is Louis' trumpet, with such tone that you'd think there was a third voice on this album. Such raw emotion, it almost speaks to the listener.

This might sound like the most pretentious statement of the week, I must admit. Yet listen to the interplay of voices in "Cheek to Cheek", the trumpet solo in "Moonlight in Vermont", the tranquility of "The Nearness of You", the subtle swing of "They Can't Take That Away From Me" and you will see that what I said doesn't even come close to encapsulating what this record is.

I don't feel this way about too many albums, jazz or not. I don't go out and make statements like this frequently; I am almost ashamed at how culture-snobbish it sounds. But it's sincere. Listen to this album, and you'll see what I mean.

Two of the greatest popular musical performers of the 20th century, "Ella and Louis" together make beautiful music. "Stars Fell on Alabama," "Cheek to Cheek," "A Foggy Day," "Can't We Be Friends?," "They Can't Take That Away From Me," "Under a Blanket of Blue" - this is an unbeatable collection of pop standards. Truly a desert island disc.

Ella and Louis worked hard to produce this album in 1956; and today many fans of this music still marvel at its beauty. Their voices rich, vibrant and energetic as ever, Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong were a duo that remains incomparable. This CD proves it.

Although the CD starts off with the playful "Can't We Be Friends," most of the music on this CD has a slow, relaxed and pensive feel to it that is remarkable. I love their romantic renditions of "Moonlight In Vermont;" "They Can't Take That Away From Me;" "Tenderly" and "Cheek To Cheek." Moreover, they perform very gracefully on "Stars Fell On Alabama." The CD ends with the classic ballad "April In Paris."

I initially thought the CD was too slow and I was not sure if I liked the album. However, the second time I listened I felt more comfortable with the pace. After I listened to the CD the third time I finally understood the importance of the "slower" feel to the songs. The songs become much more romantic, pensive and substantial at this pace.

The liner notes include the original notes from the LP release of this album; and there are nice photos of Ella and Louis on the reverse of the liner notes. In fact, the cover photo of Ella and Louis is my favorite of them together. Ella and Louis appear warm, friendly and approachable--and that's precisely the way the entire album comes across once you get into its "slower" pace. Very clever!

Overall, this is an excellent CD for fans of classic vocals, jazz, Ella Fitzgerald, Louis Armstrong, and duets. It is affordable so it is also a great way to find out if you'll like this kind of music. The quality of the sound is excellent.

Highly recommended! ENJOY!!!

If ever there were magic caught on a recording, it happened on one day in August 1956 in Los Angeles when these six musicians worked together to produce it. Ella and Louis are the vocalists, Louis alternating on trumpet. The Oscar Peterson Trio and Buddy Rich, drums, complete the sextet. The tracks, all perennial favorites at the time, are ensured of immortality by this recording. All items are slow moving, but such is the buoyant, easy rhythm these artists set you will find the effect is wonderfully invigorating. Australian and Californian listeners might agree with me that the sound of Louis Armstrong's trumpet playing is similar to the sound produced by an improvised arrangement of eucalyptus leaves on a player's lips.

I vaguely remembered hearing this record when I was about 6 years old in 1973. My grandmother was an avid music fan of all genres, but Ella Fitzgerald was by far her favorite singer of all time.

As years went by, I found myself in the Jazz section of a music store and saw the cover of this CD which brought back a flood of memories. I purchased it more out of nostalgia than anything else. I brought it home on a rainy afternoon and put it on promptly. What followed was my true baptisim in Jazz sung by what I consider the two greatest Jazz singers of all time (not to mention trumpet player).

I came home on that rainy afternoon and was absolutely awestruck. The velvet voice of Ella mixes beautifully with the raspy crooning of Louis. It's as if this collaboration was written in the stars.

There are several old standards on this CD that I have heard before by other artists but nothing compares to the way that Ella and Louis craft these songs. Thier talent is simply breathtaking and it thier style is so complementary it's uncanny. There are even times they playfully poke a little fun at eachothers style of singing, where Ella becomes gravel voiced an Louis throws in a little scat.

No matter what your taste in music is, this is a must have for anybody who enjoys quality music. I myself am not well-versed in jazz but always reccomend this CD any chance I get. Buy it, I promise you will not be sorry!

What a wonderful experience.... I've been cycling through this CD over and over since I bought it. It really keeps me warm and relaxed. I find myself swaying (even while driving) and singing along seems to be unavoidable. I'll be buying the rest of the Island series now!

You could not have more of a contrast between two voices between Ella and Louis. Ella's: like a glass of warm milk, silky and smooth. Louis': like a bear hug, rough and tumble. Who would think this combination would work? Both artists had such huge successes singing on their own and have such distinct styles, that you would think that their voices would conflict with each other in an egomaniacal disaster.

And yet there is a convergence without compromise. Their voices play off of each other, complementing each other's features, and yet nothing is lost in each's distinctness. They both bring everything they have to the table, and magically somehow, the table is big enough to fit everything.

And then there is Louis' trumpet, with such tone that you'd think there was a third voice on this album. Such raw emotion, it almost speaks to the listener.

This might sound like the most pretentious statement of the week, I must admit. Yet listen to the interplay of voices in "Cheek to Cheek", the trumpet solo in "Moonlight in Vermont", the tranquility of "The Nearness of You", the subtle swing of "They Can't Take That Away From Me" and you will see that what I said doesn't even come close to encapsulating what this record is.

I don't feel this way about too many albums, jazz or not. I don't go out and make statements like this frequently; I am almost ashamed at how culture-snobbish it sounds. But it's sincere. Listen to this album, and you'll see what I mean.

This must be one of the all time great Jazz CD's. Ella & Louis together & under the watchful eye of Norman Granz. The emphasis on this recording is clearly the two key players Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong. The Bassist, pianist, and guitarist clearly play a supporting function only, but their playing while subtle is superb none the same. The only musical solo's played are by Louis Armstrong and they are absolute perfection. He never overplays or underplays them, they are just right. But what really makes this CD for me is Ella's singing. Is it just me or is she the greatest female singer of the 20th century... She is velvet, silk, autumn, spring, and whatever else you think is beautiful all in one. And Louis... you would think the two voices would clash but in fact, I think Louis brings a counterpoint to Ella's velevety tones by adding some roughness. The interplay between the artists is incredible. You can hear Louis humming in the background at times while Ella is singing, and this lightheartedness is indicative of this recording. This is perfect Sunday music, perfect Candlelight dinner music. It is music to get you relaxed and keep you that way. Just sublime...

This CD has remained in my player since I put it in 2 weeks ago. I have no reason to take it out because the music is so darn good and enjoyable. These songs have been recorded countless times by other artists but the pairing of Ella and Louis really takes these songs into another realm. I am still waiting to get tired of these songs but it may be a long time coming. The contrast between Ella's smooth, velvety, light vocals just couldn't be more stark against the rough, spontaneous and almost guttural sounds of Louis, who does double duty here playing his imfamous trumpet as well. They're backed by a first-rate swinging jazz combo who blend seamlessly with Ella and Louis's memorable vocals. You can tell these two had such a great time together by the humorous interplay they inject into these American standards. The songs are well chosen (not one clunker in the bunch), but "Cheek to Cheek" and "They Can't Take That Away" truly stand out. A keeper for the ages.