Description
It entered into jazz lore when, at this 1960 Berlin concert, Ella forgot the words to "Mack the Knife"; she improvised her way out of it in an inventive way that amazed even herself!
"A 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,' on which she quotes Charlie Parker's 'Ornithology'), and a bevy of Gershwin and Porter tunes.
"Supported by pianist Paul Smith's quartet (with the elegant Jim Hall on guitar), Ella's voice sounds earthier than usual and her phrasing is as appealing as ever. She's sublimely tender on 'Misty' and wonderfully sultry on 'Too Darn Hot.' Upon its initial release, the album picked up two Grammies and peaked at No. 11 on the Billboard Pop chart; its acclaim was well deserved."
