General Article name: Mack the Knife: Ella in Berlin
Genre: Jazz Product type: LP (Vinyl) Label: Verve Number of tracks: 13 Duration: 46:48 Tracklist CD - 1 1. Ella Fitzgerald - That Old Black Magic 3:51 2. Ella Fitzgerald - Love Is Here to Stay 3:19 3. Ella Fitzgerald - Gone with the Wind 2:25 4. Ella Fitzgerald - Misty 2:38 5. Ella Fitzgerald - Lady Is a Tramp 2:40 6. Ella Fitzgerald - Man I Love 3:42 7. Ella Fitzgerald - Love for Sale 2:57 8. Ella Fitzgerald - Just One of Those Things 3:53 9. Ella Fitzgerald - Summertime 3:02 10. Ella Fitzgerald - Too Darn Hot 3:17 11. Ella Fitzgerald - Lorelei 3:27 12. Ella Fitzgerald - Mack the Knife 4:39 13. Ella Fitzgerald - How High the Moon 6:58   Description Description

Ella Fitzgerald was at the peak of her form during her 1960 tour of Europe. Her Berlin concert is most remembered for her hilariously inventive version of "Mack the Knife," during which she forgot the words and substituted ones of her own that somehow fit, amazing herself in the process. With fine support from her quartet -- pianist Paul Smith, guitarist Jim Hall, bassist Wilfred Middlebrooks, drummer Gus Johnson -- Fitzgerald is brilliant throughout the well-rounded set, with highlights including "Misty" (a version very different from Sarah Vaughan's), "The Lady Is a Tramp," "Too Darn Hot," and a scat-filled "How High the Moon." This is essential music. ~ Scott Yanow

Scott Yanow

Contributors Vocals: Ella Fitzgerald Guitar: Jim Hall Orchestra: Paul Smith Record Label: Verve Piano: Paul Smith Drums: Gus Johnson Producer: Phil Schaap Bass: Wilfred Middlebrooks