Most of Ella Fitzgerald's recordings from 1951 (all of which are on this CD) are obscure and have rarely been reissued. "The First Lady of the American Song" turned 34 that year and was in peak form, as she would be throughout the decade. The music ranges from novelties ("Two Little Men In A Flying Saucer," and a cover of "Come On-A My House,") to worthy versions of "Love You Madly," "Smooth Sailing," and "Baby Doll." The settings range from tunes with Sy Oliver's Orchestra and occasional background singers, to a date with Hank Jones, and four lesser-known but delightful duets with Louis Armstrong: "Necessary Evil," "Oops," "Would You Like To Take A Walk," and "Who Walks In When I Walk Out." ~ Scott Yanow, All Music Guide
Tony Faso (Trumpet), Louis Armstrong (Vocals), Mort Bullman (Trombone), Hymie Schertzer (Sax (Alto)), Sonny Burke & Orchestra (?), Al Klink (Sax (Tenor)), Johnny Halliburton (Trombone), Hank Jones (Piano), Laurindo Almeida (Guitar), Sandy Block (Bass), Bernie Privin (Trumpet), Paul Webster (Trumpet), Frank M. Howard (Trombone), Joe Mondragon (Bass), Dave Barbour (Guitar), Taft Jordan (Trumpet), Carlton McBeath (Trumpet), Bill Doggett (Organ), Jack Dumont (Saxophone), Ray Brown (Bass), Heine Beau (Saxophone), Paul Tanner (Trombone), Hammond Russum (Saxophone), Jimmy Priddy (Trombone), George Becker (Lead), Johnny Blowers (Drums), Pete Candoli (Trumpet), Gilda Maiken (Lead), Larry Neil (Trumpet), Anatol Schenker (Liner Notes), Fred Williams (Sax (Tenor)), Louis Armstrong (Trumpet), Everett Barksdale (Guitar), Carl Poole (Trumpet), Skylarks (Vocals), Ollie Mitchell (Trumpet), George Dorsey (Saxophone), Bill Holcombe (Saxophone), Sy Oliver (Orchestra Director), Chuck Gentry (Saxophone), Henderson Chambers (Trombone), Jimmy Crawford (Drums), Arthur Baker (Saxophone), Alvin Stoller (Drums), Arnold Fishkind (Bass), Mickey Mangano (Trumpet), Hamilton, Joe Frank & Dennison (Tenor (Vocal)), Frank Saracco (Trombone), Don Raffell (Saxophone), Hugo Loewenstern (Saxophone), Al Klink (Saxophone), Ray Charles Singers (Vocals), Milt Bernhart (Trombone), Dave Barbour & His Orchestra (?), Louis Armstrong (Director), Milt Yaner (Sax (Alto))
