Ella Fitzgerald & Louis Armstrong - Ella And Louis (1981 Japanese Verve Mono LP)

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Ella Fitzgerald & Louis Armstrong - Ella And Louis Vinyl LP - 1981 Japanese Verve Limited Edition Mono Reissue

Two of the greatest voices in jazz history unite for this beloved 1956 collaboration, featuring Ella Fitzgerald's crystalline tone and impeccable pitch alongside Louis Armstrong's gravelly warmth and incomparable phrasing. Backed by an all-star rhythm section of Oscar Peterson on piano, Herb Ellis on guitar, Ray Brown on bass, and Buddy Rich on drums, Ella and Louis navigate 11 classic standards with a combination of technical mastery and emotional depth that has made this album a vocal jazz cornerstone. This 1981 Japanese pressing on Verve, part of the Best Jazz Collection Verve and Special 1800 series, offers this landmark recording in limited edition mono format with liner notes including lyrics.

The contrast between Fitzgerald's and Armstrong's voices creates the album's magic. Ella's pristine clarity and rhythmic precision complement Armstrong's rough-hewn expressiveness and behind-the-beat phrasing, their duets demonstrating that technical perfection and emotional directness are not mutually exclusive but rather enhance each other. The rhythm section, featuring four jazz giants, provides sophisticated yet unobtrusive support, Peterson's elegant piano work particularly shining throughout. Standards like "Cheek To Cheek", "A Foggy Day", and "They Can't Take That Away From Me" receive definitive readings that balance respect for the songs' original character with the distinctive personalities of both vocalists.

Manufactured by Polydor K.K. as part of their premium Japanese reissue series, this mono pressing honours the original 1950s recording format while offering the quality control Japanese pressings are celebrated for. The inclusion of liner notes with lyrics adds value for listeners wanting to follow along with these classic interpretations. As a limited edition release in the Special 1800 series, this represents a carefully curated reissue of one of vocal jazz's most essential albums.