Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong – Ella and Louis [Mono] (Verve Acoustic Sounds Series Edition)

(AAA) — Lacquers cut from the original analog master tapes by Ryan Smith at Sterling Sound.

Acoustic Sounds Series reissues from Verve/Universal Music Enterprises!

Monthly releases highlighting the world's most historic and best jazz records!

Mastered by Ryan K. Smith at Sterling Sound from the original analog tapes

180-gram LPs pressed at Quality Record Pressings!

Stoughton Printing gatefold old-style tip-on jackets

Series supervised by Chad Kassem CEO of Acoustic Sounds

"As with all the Acoustic Sounds releases I've reviewed here on Analog Planet thus far, this new production company is exemplary overall. The pressing is top-notch, manufactured on thick, dark black 180-gram vinyl that is quiet and well-centered. Overall, Ella's warm, melted-buttery voice makes for a tasty contrast when poured over Pops' more angular salty popcorn-crunch vocals. Add in Satch's rich round trumpet playing, and you've got the formula for a sweet sonic taste sensation." — Music = 10/11; Sound = 8/11 — Mark Smotroff, AnalogPlanet.com. To read the full review click here.

"The classic jazz album that brought Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong together for the first time as they recorded their version of extraordinary standards." — Wax Time

The evening before Louis Armstrong recorded this album, both he and Miss Fitzgerald were appearing in an all-star concert also featuring Art Tatum and Oscar Peterson that was recorded for an album titled Live At The Hollywood Bowl (1956). The following day the two singers, along with the Oscar Peterson Trio, were in a Los Angeles studio to record this gem of an album.

With no time for rehearsals the songs were all set in Louis' key to make it easier, but this in no way inhibits Ella's performance. Another challenge for Pops was the fact that the material was not his normal repertoire, meaning he had to learn things on the fly in the studio. Again there's no hint of any issues, which all goes to highlight Armstrong's innate musical ability.

(Above description from AcousticSounds.com)