Song:Love Is Here to Stay
Album:Best Of
Louis Armstrong may have invented scat singing but Ella Fitzgerald perfected it. So it's not surprising that these two legends recorded three very popular albums together in the 50s. Ella left Decca Records for Verve Records in 1955 and Verve owner Norman Granz became her manager. Ella got to know him when she appeared on some Jazz At The Philharmonic concerts. She wanted ro do more than bebop and felt Granz could have her sing real songs. And for the most part, that's what Granz did. This was the period when Ella recorded all her Songbook albums. But Granz thought it would be a great idea to have Ella record with Armstrong. Of course they knew each other but had never worked together. Armstrong had been left behind by bebop and Granz thought recording with Ella could revive his career. They recorded three albums. Ella and Louis was released in 1956. Musicians were Oscar Peterson on piano, Herb Ellis on guitar, Ray Brown on bass and Buddy Rich on drums. This album of standards was so successful that the 2LP set Ella and Louis Again was released in 1957. The musicians are the same except for Louis Bellson on drums. Their excellent version of the Gershwin standard Love Is Here To Stay is from this album. Ella also recorded Love Is Here To Stay on her 1959 album Ella Fitzgerald Sings the George and Ira Gershwin Songbook. The third album is different as they interpret Porgy and Bess with an orchestra led by film composer Russell Garcia. This budget CD is a good intro to the magical chemistry of Ella and Louis. These albums led to a career revival for both. Here's a video for Love Is Here to Stay by Ella Fitzgerald & Louis Armstrong.
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