Porgy And Bess

Previously, I owned the complete Miles Davis and Gil Evans "Porgy and Bess" (one of three scintillating, unified "tone poems" by the pair, though "Sketches of Spain" may rise slightly above the other two). My recordings of Ella and Louis were limited to several "best of" anthologies--until now. It's a session well worth owning, perhaps the most satisfying representation of "Porgy and Bess" through its best-known songs (which is not to deny the singular beauty of the Miles and Gil collaboration--which is as much testimony to their genius as to Gershwin's). Ella is especially up to the challenge required of each of the Gershwin arias, frequently surpassing the recorded examples by her classically-trained counterparts. The same could almost be said for Louis, though it's hard not to notice some moments ("I Got Plenty of Nuthin'") during which he has all he can handle getting all of the words and notes in place (especially at a brisk tempo). Nevertheless, any individual flaws are readily compensated for by the chemistry between the pair not to mention the symbolic meanings of presenting the highlights of Gershwin's "American Folk Opera" through the two musicians who are inarguably and necessarily closest to the actual American people that it celebrates. Who better to be bearers of this portrayal of African-American culture than the luminaries of America's indigenous, African/American art form? The "Father of Jazz" and the "First Lady of Song" not only possess the unequaled musicianship and creativity but the life experiences to connect them with the characters of Porgy and Bess (Louis was an orphan, confronted with poverty and numerous formidable challenges from his lowly beginnings; Ella had a childhood no less rough, "sensational," and harrowing than Billie Holiday's widely-publicized one).As for this 2008 pressing, it sounds sonically resplendent to my ears, an inarguable great improvement over the 1957 vinyl disc. The history of this frequently reissued session is unclear to me (don't bother to consult the entry in Wickipedia, which is full of errors and quite incoherent). Whereas the original LP comprised 10 tracks, this CD reissue has 15, including an 11-minute overture by Russ Garcia (I realize that this is not the first reissue to include 15 tracks). My hunch is that Garcia, who was part of an earlier "Porgy and Bess" on Bethlehem Records featuring Mel Torme and Lena Horne, made efficient use of some of that material by incorporating it into this Ella and Pops recording.Regardless, no listener should stop at the mere highlights of "Porgy and Bess." I was unaware of the work's power if not sublimity until listening to the opera in its entirety. As of this moment, the complete recording that's easiest to recommend is the performance by the Houston Opera Company  George Gershwin's "Porgy & Bess"  (the same production that would assume a place in the New York Metropolitan's repertory beginning with a Saturday afternoon broadcast in 1985).

I love this Cd. It is Louie Armstrong and Ella at their best.Talk about a good version of Porgy and Bess, this is it!

It was nice. I really wanted the one available in vinyl. As it turns out I have the one in vinyl. This is nice though as I just pop it into my CD Player.

Have loved this album forever.

Gershwin classic. What else could you want ? Ella and Louis performing some of the greatest American music ever recorded.

Great condition and price!

As always, Amazon met my highest package-and-delivery expectations in every way of the CD album “Porgy and Bess,” by Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong.This album was not Ella and Louis’ best work. With that duo, however, even “not the best” is great.I would recomend this CD to all Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstorng fans and to all who appreciate "Porgy & Bess."

Possibly, in my eyes, THE GREATEST rendition of Porgy & Bess. Hear it once and forever remember it.

There isn`t much to criticise on this album. Albums containing both Ella and Satchmo have always been products of excellencesomehow each seems to bring out the best of the other. And so that is the result here.I said there is not much to criticise perhaps that should be there is nothing to criticise. Most buyers will know the story and the music what else to say. Both performed exceedingly well Buy it.It would be a worthwhile addition to any collection of Ella`s work and/or Satchmo`s recordings.

Some great tracks and some that are still growing on me with each play.

The opera performed by two of the greatest jazz artists of all time. A real classic.

I was very disappointed with this CD - I think publishing it in this form was a mistake. I love the music of Porgy and Bess, but neither of these excellent musicians are renowned for singing opera, and although one or two of the numbers are worth owning - like Summertime, and a couple more, including their attempts at recitative was definitely a mistake and did them no justice.

Excellent