Ella Fitzgerald- Mack The Knife: Ella In Berlin

Label: Verve

Reissued 2018, Originally released 1960

On Ella Fitzgerald -Mack The Knife: Ella In Berlin, the 43-year-old Ella rolls through her typical routine in feisty fashion on this 1960 recording, which documents the opening show of her European tour. There's the Satchmo impersonation (a joyous "Mack the Knife"), the lengthy scat showcase ("How High the Moon"), and a bevy of Gershwin and Porter tunes. Supported by pianist Paul Smith's quartet, Ella's voice sounds earthier than usual and her phrasing is as appealing as ever. She's tender on "Misty" and sultry on "Too Darn Hot." Ella is often referred to as the First Lady of Song, Queen of Jazz and Lady Ella. She was noted for her purity of tone, impeccable diction, phrasing and intonation, and a "horn-like" improvisational ability, particularly in her scat singing.

Track Listing:

1. That Old Black Magic 
2. Our Love Is Here To Stay
3. Gone With The Wind
4. Misty
5. The Lady Is A Tramp
6. The Man I Love
7. Summertime
8. Too Darn Hot
9. Lorelei
10. Mack The Knife
11. How High The Moon
12. Love For Sale
13. Just One Of Those Things