Customer Reviews

FITZGERALD ELLA / ARMSTRONG LOUIS ELLA & LOUIS

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Old recordings redone in SACD are in many cases outstanding. I have wanted a good recording of Ella and Louis for a long time. This recording brings the magic back. The dull sound of old recordings on standard CD is clearly gone, and you will love this recording.

Along with the Glenn Gould Goldberg Variations (all of them), the Ella and Louis recordings are my very favorite recordings of all.

Now this one is a no-brainer:
EVERYBODY knows by now how great idea was teaming Ella (at her peak) and Louis (close enough to his peak) on this album,
with a killer back-up group lead by Oscar Peterson at his rhythmiest (yes, I know it's not a real word). I'm writing about the original CD from the early 2000s I bought, not about SACD (where the review will apparently, also end up), so I can't talk about the technological finesse of this edition... I'm just claiming this is a beautiful jazz album, happily matched only by Ella and Louis Again, another masterpiece. Groveling expressiveness of Louis' voice is matched beautifully with the melodic brilliance of Ella's jubilant voice and the rest is history.

The vocals are as clean and clear as anything I have ever heard recorded. I can say that I have never heard Louis Armstrong recorded this well. The SACD is just classic. And Oscar Peterson, Ray Brown in a rhythem section is tops in my book. I would have bought this just for them! lol My only complaint is that the rhythm section does not have the same clarity as the melody (vocals or trumpet). It might be by design. I just would prefer more high-end to my piano and high-hat, snare brushes, etc.... but still 5 stars...

If you have a very good DAC or CD player, this SACD will give you what you paid for and more. Louis' voice is simply pure gravel magic. I say very well done to the SACD mastering engineers.

Jazz singing doesn't get any better than this. I've been writing off my belief that jazz used to be better as creeping old-fogeyism. Wrong. It was better then, by far.

These standards are fresh and exciting in the hands of two of the very best. Ella's voice provides the comfort of a cuddle while Louis' voice is not just a voice but a delightful personality as well. Pure fun.

This sacd is a must, it would could be better if it were 5.1 channels instead of Stereo. Anyway is wonderful.