Ella Fitzgerald

The complete original LP Ella in Berlin: Mack the Knife (Verve MGV4041). It contains Ella Fitzgerald’s celebrated performance at the Deutschlandhalle in Berlin, Germany, in its entirety.

She is backed here by a quartet featuring Jim Hall and Paul Smith.

One of Ella’s most popular albums ever, it won two Grammy awards in 1960.

As a bonus, we have added a complete rarely heard live performance taped in July 1959, plus two 1956 tracks recorded live at the Hollywood Bowl that were mistakenly included on some issues of Ella in Berlin as belonging to the 1960 concert.

ELLA FITZGERALD, vocals
PAUL SMITH, piano
JIM HALL, guitar
WILFRED MIDDLEBROOKS, bass
GUS JOHNSON, drums

Deutschlandhalle, Berlin, Germany, February 13, 1960.

*BONUS TRACKS:

12-18: Ella Fitzgerald (vcl), Lou Levy (p), Max Bennett (b), Gus Johnson (d). Cannes Jazz Festival, France, July 1, 1959. 19-20: Ella Fitzgerald (vcl), Paul Smith (p), Barney Kessel (g), Joe Mondragon (b), Alvin Stoller (d).

Hollywood Bowl, Los Angeles, August 15, 1956.

“This LP is a classic. Ella Fitzgerald is heard at the peak of her powers during a Berlin concert that is famous for her unique version of ‘Mack the Knife’; when she forgot the words in mid-performance, she substituted spontaneous and remarkable lyrics of her own. This music (which also includes a hot version of ‘How High the Moon’) is essential for all serious jazz collections.” (Scott Yanow, All Music Guide)

01. THAT OLD BLACK MAGIC 4:10
02. OUR LOVE IS HERE TO STAY 3:11
03. GONE WITH THE WIND 2:26
04. MISTY 2:47
05. THE LADY IS A TRAMP 3:17
06. THE MAN I LOVE 3:38
07. SUMMERTIME 3:00
08. TOO DARN HOT 3:30
09. LORELEI 3:27
10. MACK THE KNIFE 5:01
11. HOW HIGH THE MOON? 8:10
12. LOVER COME BACK TO ME 1:59*
13. ANGEL EYES 3:17*
14. I’M BEGINNING TO SEE THE LIGHT 3:31*
15. MY HEART BELONGS TO DADDY 2:37*
16. JUST ONE OF THOSE THINGS 3:03*
17. I CAN’T GIVE YOU ANYTHING BUT LOVE 3:17*
18. SOPHISTICATED LADY 3:37*
19. LOVE FOR SALE 2:59*
20. JUST ONE OF THOSE THINGS 3:54*
TT: 70:57