Mack the Knife: Ella in Berlin

by Ella Fitzgerald

Overview

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

Product Details

Release Date:	06/24/2016
Label:	Verve
UPC:	0600753527108

Tracks

1. Gone with the Wind
2. Misty
3. The Lady Is a Tramp
4. The Man I Love
5. Summertime
6. Too Darn Hot
7. Lorelei
8. Mack the Knife
9. How High the Moon

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Ella Fitzgerald   Primary Artist,Vocals
Paul Smith   Primary Artist,Piano
Norman Granz   Primary Artist
The Paul Smith Quartet   Primary Artist,Ensemble,Orchestra,Featured Artist
Barney Kessel   Guitar
Gus Johnson   Drums
Wilfred Middlebrooks   Bass
Alvin Stoller   Drums
Joe Mondragon   Bass
Lou Levy   Piano
Jim Hall   Guitar
Max Bennett   Bass

Technical Credits

Allie Wrubel   Composer
Jimmy McHugh   Composer
Marc Blitzstein   Composer
Dorothy Fields   Composer
Oscar Hammerstein II   Composer
Richard Rodgers   Composer
Harry James   Composer
Herbert Magidson   Composer
Johnny Burke   Composer
Earl Brent   Composer
Dorothy Heyward   Composer
Alie Grubel   Composer
Morgan Lewis   Composer
Johnny Hodges   Composer
Mitchell Parish   Composer
Kurt Weill   Composer
Sigmund Romberg   Composer
Bertolt Brecht   Composer
Harold Arlen   Composer
Irving Mills   Composer
Cole Porter   Composer
Duke Ellington   Composer
Don George   Composer
George Gershwin   Composer
Ira Gershwin   Composer
DuBose Heyward   Composer
Erroll Garner   Composer
Lorenz Hart   Composer
Johnny Mercer   Composer
Nancy Hamilton   Composer
Matt Dennis   Composer
Norman Granz   Producer