Absolute Radio: Discover real music

With Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong both performing at the peak of their careers, and with "backup" played by Oscar Peterson, Ray Brown, Herb Ellis, Buddy Rich and Louis Bellson, the listener can enjoy seven of the greats of jazz, all having fun on the same album. Recorded between 1956-57 and digitally remastered in 1988, Ella's voice is bright, clear, and smooth, able to respond to whatever demands Ella makes of it, while Louis's is growly, gravelly, and operating at its limits. They provide a wonderful counterpoint to each other, while their accompanying musicians add color and a lively swing beat. But then, with stars like these, how can you lose? In "They Can't Take That Away From Me," Ella begins in a bright swing tempo while Louis plays muted trumpet in the background, then Louis sings, Ella improvises, and Louis echoes. "Gee, Baby, Ain't I Good" is a vampy number with Louis soloing on the trumpet, Peterson and Rich accompanying, and Ella entering about halfway through the song. "It Ain't Necessarily So" includes Louis's soaring trumpet, Ella singing scat, Louis singing scat, Peterson 's piano, and a big band sound at the end. "Stompin' at the Savoy" has Ella's best scat and a great trumpet solo by Louis. "A Foggy Day" is one of the best songs on the album, if one must choose only one. Again, Oscar Peterson's piano is memorable--and simple--with Ella improvising and Louis soloing on trumpet, before joining her and singing in counterpoint.All these musicians obviously respect each other, trust each other, and listen to each other, creating a unified sound out from the disparate talents each brings to the studio. Best of all, it is obvious that they are having real fun together, and the listener will join them in that fun. Mary Whipple

Rating: 5 out of 5