Tim Price Bloggin' for Rico -Ella & Louis ! You can't live without it.

~ This is a CD that is a must for every listener,fan, student and musician. It's all here. A lesson to be enjoyed for decades.Two of the greatest popular musical performers of the 20th century, "Ella and Louis" together make beautiful music. "Stars Fell on Alabama," "Cheek to Cheek," "A Foggy Day," "Can't We Be Friends?," "They Can't Take That Away From Me," "Under a Blanket of Blue" - this is an unbeatable collection of pop standards.Truly a masterpiece for all time!

~ I have enjoyed this recording for years. For many reasons. It defines what jazz is. But also is available to every listener. The tunes are perfect, the band swings. Get my drift? For the student of jazz- this is one of the most important recordings in jazz. Not being aware of it is a crime. I have many of my University level students study these songs,learn them by ear to get a consummate swing feel- and melodic groove. They are also a must know- period.

http://www.allmusic.com/album/legends-of-the-20th-century-ella-louis-mw0002359703 ~For the listener, it is a recording that never gets old.It makes you feel good and has it's own health care plan going on every listen! Hope this opens some doors to something, you can't live without. Music like this offers the key to a gateway that you must travel for yourself. It's easier than you think! It's wonderful.This where it all comes together- it's all here. This amazing 1956 session is classic —"Cheek To Cheek" is a small classic—and the accompaniment by pianist Oscar Peterson and his trio joined by drummer Buddy Rich ups the swing ante considerably. Fitzgerald and Armstrong sound positively ebullient together, scatting and swinging their way through tunes by Gershwin, Berlin and Duke Ellington, and other well-known material, proving that putting two gifted performers with the right backing and the right song will create a magical song.

Enjoy your 4th of July everyone. Enjoy yourself and find the true place for you, you can be what you want to be, you can do what you want to do, you can have what you want to have. Your thinking is directed by your frame of mind.Spend some time with the people and thoughts that matter. Till next week- check out Ella and Louis. ~ Tim Price..... www.timpricejazz.com -