Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong -  Ella and Louis

Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong: Ella and Louis

Album #9 - October 1956

Episode date - April 19, 2023

The Top 500 of The Top 40
    0:00
    0:00

    My God, look at that cover. They were such musical royalty that they could have – should have - been covered in silk robes and ermine, but there sits Ella in a housedress next to Louis in a short-sleeve shirt and rolled-down white socks.

    At this point in time, both of them were at the busiest period of their lives, so attending a formal photo shoot would have been out of the question, and as it turns out, inappropriate as well. These are two of the most straightforward and humble superstars that ever walked the planet Earth, and what matters here is what is in the grooves.

    For a true definition of the word ‘sublime’, you don’t need a dictionary. This is some of the most casually perfect music ever recorded, and that is not an overstatement. Even a casual listen reveals its greatness, and yet it all sounds so damned effortless! The cover photo more or less tells the story: the session was arranged, so they met at Capitol Studios on August 16,1956, exchanged pleasantries and then broke out their charts and got down to work. It was a day’s work, with support by the Oscar Peterson Quartet with Herb Ellis (guitar), Ray Brown (bass, also her ex-husband!) and Buddy Rich (brushes). In a word? Magical, or better yet, sublime.

    Featured Tracks:

    Can’t We Be Friends

    Isn’t This a Lovely Day?

    Moonlight in Vermont

    That Can’t Take That Away from Me

    Under a Blanket of Blue

    Tenderly

    A Foggy Day

    Stars Fell on Alabama

    Cheek to Cheek

    The Nearness of You

    April in Paris

    October 1956 - Billboard Charted #12

    Related Shows

    Stephen Stills: Stills

    Stephen Stills: Stills

    Album #249 - June 1975

      0:00
      0:00
      Bob Dylan and The Band: The Basement Tapes

      Bob Dylan and The Band: The Basement Tapes - Part 2

      Album #248 - June 1975

        0:00
        0:00
        Bob Dylan and The Band: The Basement Tapes

        Bob Dylan and The Band: The Basement Tapes - Part 1

        Album #248 - June 1975

          0:00
          0:00
          Willie Nelson: Red Headed Stranger

          Willie Nelson: Red Headed Stranger

          Album #247 - May 1975

            0:00
            0:00
            Aerosmith - Toys in the Attic

            Aerosmith: Toys in the Attic

            Album #246 - April 1975

              0:00
              0:00
              Steely Dan Katy Lied

              Steely Dan: Katy Lied

              Album #245 - March 1975

                0:00
                0:00
                Young Americans - David Bowie

                David Bowie: Young Americans

                Album #244 - March 1975

                  0:00
                  0:00
                  Earth, Wind & Fire: That's the Way of the World

                  Earth, Wind & Fire: That's the Way of the World

                  Album #243 - March 1975

                    0:00
                    0:00
                    Led Zeppelin, Physical Graffiti,  In The Light, Bron-Yr-Aur, Down by the Seaside, Ten Years Gone, Night Flight, The Wanton Song, Boogie With Stu, Black Country Woman, Sick Again

                    Led Zeppelin: Physical Graffiti - Part 2

                    Album #242 - February 1975

                      0:00
                      0:00
                      Led Zeppelin: Physical Graffiti

                      Led Zeppelin: Physical Graffiti - Part 1

                      Album #242 - February 1975

                        0:00
                        0:00
                        Tower Of Power: Urban Renewal

                        Tower Of Power: Urban Renewal

                        Album #241 - January1975

                          0:00
                          0:00
                          Bob Dylan - Blood On The Tracks

                          Bob Dylan: Blood On The Tracks - Part 2

                          Album #240 - January 1975

                            0:00
                            0:00