Ella in Berlin is a live album that you will never forget.......recorded live in front of 12,000 german fans playing some of her most beloved melodies. This album is famous for the fact that on Mack The Knife (a song she didnt do often) Ella forgot the lyrics and made up her own...not unlike what Sarah Vaughan did at Mr. Kelly's.
Ella is backed by the superb Paul Smith Quartet (Paul Smith-piano, Jim Hall- guitar, Wilfred Middlebrooks - bass and Gus Johnson-drums) who helps create the perfect jazz crooner backdrop thought this recording. There is just something about this live album that really stands out for me and i think it might just be the magic was in the air that night! Ella is spot on and totally captivates the listener with her big voice and emotive tones. "Its too darn hot" clearly shows her mojo with that extra special crooner jazz humour and finger snapping timing.
Ella in Berlin is a go to album for me and I would think a very strong candidate for the desert island picks.
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