Released date: 24-09-2010 (originally released in 1957)

2010 EU 11-track vinyl LP limited edtion, pressing on 180 Virgin gram vinyl, originally released in 1957 and featuring the 2 giants at their peak on some of the finest jazz standards ever recorded with smooth vocals, that unmistakeable trumpet and a little help from The Oscar Peterson Trio and Buddy Rich - Stickered & sealed in colour sleeve.

Tracks:
01. Can't We Be Friends
02. Isn't This A Lovely Day (To Be Caught In The Rain)
03. Moonlight In Vermont
04. They Can't Take That Away From Me
05. Under A Blanket Of Blue
06. Tenderly
07. Foggy Day
08. Stars Fell On Alabama
09. Cheek To Cheek
10. Nearness Of You
11. April In Paris

The very fact that America's biggest jazz label called one of their albums quite simply Ella and Louis indicates that we are talking about something very special here. And surely enough has been said - "Satchmo" and the grande dame of jazz certainly need no further introduction. In the '50s just the mere mention of their forenames was enough to light up the eyes of jazz fans. A glance at the tracklist reveals that tranquility rules the day: wild stomps and improvised scats will neither be sought nor missed. Of prime importance to the jazz ballad is a feeling of 'letting oneself drift' in the inspiration which gushes forth from the minds of genial American songwriters. This is no contest - for the artists all pursue a common goal with extreme sensitiveness. The background combo, made up of first-class musicians and led by Oscar Peterson, performs with great concentration and almost obtrusive unobtrusiveness. VERVE's highly successful producer Norman Granz decided quite deliberately to make the recording in the studio instead of at a live session. And success has verified his judgement, for such vocal jazz knows only gentle tones - but the result is all the more intensive for that.

Recording: August 1956 at Capitol Studios, Los Angeles by Val Valentin / Production: Norman Granz