Ella & Duke at their best
Randall L. Wilson | 02/20/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Those of you who are not completely satisfied with Ella's Ellington songbook take this concert and be glad that this event was taped! Can a vocal miracle like Ella still surprise us? She can! In "Cottontail" she gets herself in an incredible orgy of scat.I bet you'll get goose pimples listening to her trading fours with the rhapsodic genius Paul Gonsalves.The orchestra is in "Newport"-form,virtuosos inspired by the great audience killer,Fitzgerald the name is."
Why isn't this more popular?
Randall L. Wilson | San Francisco | 10/31/2003
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This album is far and away Ella's best concert recording I've heard. Maybe she was responding to the Duke's band but whatever the reason she is incredibly loose, sexy and emotional that it reveals a completely different side to her artistry. "Satin Doll" in her hands in down right ribald as is "Let's do it" which also belies the myth that Ella didn't really handle lyrics all that well. Finally, there is the final gorgeous note of "Something to Live For." If you think those goosebumps are from the wine, the audience shrieks tell you otherwise. Amazon: get this album back in stock!"