Hey Gerry Elmer Henry,

Heartily agreed about the Ella-Louis duets. Those two voices, smooth caramel next to rough sandpaper, work perfectly. And to think that they were recorded over 50 years ago; they are so fresh and contemporary. Ella and Louis sound like great friends having a terrific time, and their exuberance is highly contagious.

I especially enjoy the spoken asides they make to each other during the songs, little in-jokes that the listener hasn't a clue about, but you laugh anyway because they are having so much fun.

During "Let's Call the Whole Thing Off," after Louis sings "You like pajamas and I like puh-jaahmas," you can almost see Ella rolling her eyes to heaven as she says sarcastically, "You've GOT puh-jaahmas!"

I also love their duet on "Stompin' at the Savoy." As Ella scatter-sings, Louis talks to her, including something about, "Remember something-or-other about Lionel Hampton? We won't talk about THAT!" and cackles at the memory.

And at the end of "Gee Baby, Ain'I I Good to You?" after listing all the fancy things she buys for her sweetie, Ella gets in the last word on the final refrain, "Keeps me paying taxes for what I give to you / Gee baby, ain't I good to you."

I could go on....

Elmer