Ella Fitzgerald had the ability to personalize some of the most recognizable material from the foremost songwriters in American popular music history. In this instance, the combination of
Cole Porter's words and
Fitzgerald's interpretation of them created one of the most sought after sessions in vocal history -- embraced by jazz and pop fans alike, transcending boundaries often associated with those genres. Originally released in 1956 on the Verve label, such standards as "Night and Day," "I Love Paris," "What Is This Thing Called Love," "I've Got You Under My Skin," "You're the Top," and "Love for Sale" secured one of
Ella Fitzgerald's crowning moments. The success of these early
Porter (and previous
Gershwin) sessions brought about numerous interpretations of other songbooks throughout the next several years including those of
Rodgers and Hart,
Duke Ellington,
Johnny Mercer,
Harold Arlen, and
Irving Berlin.