Mack The Knife, Ella In Berlin CD

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.