Ella Fitzgerald and
Joe Pass recorded a number of studio sessions for Pablo during the 1970s, though never a live recording. This session was radio broadcast in Hamburg.
Fitzgerald shows a little wear on her voice, as her vibrato on held notes is more noticeable, yet she still is a masterful vocalist.
Pass is superb as an accompanist, always providing perfect support and delivering top-notch solos as well. The program is typical of the singer's wide-ranging taste, including standards, jazz classics, and modern pop, though the latter includes two lackluster takes of
Morris Albert's ridiculous ballad "Feelings," the universally despised (at least by jazz fans and people with any musical taste) song is repeated by
Fitzgerald because she evidently wasn't satisfied with her first rendition. Of course, the obvious highlights include the delightful scat treatment of "One Note Samba" and a rousing, extended "Perdido" that closes the concert.