Surprisingly enough this 1963 LP was the first time (other than a couple songs) that
Ella Fitzgerald and
Count Basie recorded together. The match-up was so logical that it would be repeated many times over the next 20 years.
Fitzgerald sounds fine and, even if
Quincy Jones' arrangements did not give the
Basie musicians much space for solos (two songs do feature a bit of trumpeter
Joe Newman, trombonist
Urbie Green and
Frank Foster on tenor), this is an enjoyable effort. High points include "Honeysuckle Rose," "Them There Eyes" and "Shiny Stockings." [Originally released in 1963,
Ella and Basie! was reissued on CD in 2004.] ~ Scott Yanow