Ella Fitzgerald & Billie Holiday at Newport presents the naturally intriguing results when Verve paired two sets recorded two days apart (over the 4th of July weekend, 1957) by the two best female singers of the 20th century. Unfortunately, circumstances weren't in their favor, as the combined factors of an unsympathetic band (for Fitzgerald) and shaky health (for Holiday) make these sets just a step below the expected level of greatness. It's unclear how much time Fitzgerald had spent with her trio, though she makes her unhappiness known while trying to jump-start them to a quicker tempo on "I'm Gonna Sit Right Down and Write Myself a Letter" and "April in Paris." Finally, she gets the band in line, delivering crowd-pleasing renditions of "Lullaby of Birdland" and the terrific scat piece "Air Mail Special," which must have set the park on fire. Holiday, though she would live for two more years, sounds as though she's on death's doorstep, croaking her standards "Willow Weep for Me," "My Man," "Lady Sings the Blues," and "What a Little Moonlight Can Do." Of course, anyBillie Holiday appearance is worth hearing, and she brings her world-weary voice to task on the showpiece "Lady Sings the Blues." Though it's far from a perfect set for both singers, At Newport says more about their respective careers than any great show could. [For a special 2000 reissue of Ella Fitzgerald & Billie Holiday at Newport, Verve added six songs from Carmen McRae's set at Newport. As with Fitzgerald and Holiday, McRae also had problems with her set -- the absence of her usual backing trio forced her to begin her performance with an unfamiliar band. Still, it's an excellent, powerful showcase for McRae's voice on highlights like "I'll Remember April" and "Love Is Here to Stay." Also, a 50th anniversary edition of the show appeared in 2007, with a very similar track listing (except it actually featured one less track).] ~ John Bush, All Music Guide
Hollis King (Art Direction), Bryan Koniarz (Production Coordination), Sherniece Smith (Art Producer), Jimmy Cobb (Drums), William Ruhlmann (Liner Notes), Ray Bryant (Piano), Cameron Mizell (Production Coordination), Jamie Krents (Research Assistant), Ike Isaacs (Bass), Joe Benjamin (Bass), Specs Wright (Drums), Bill Simon (Liner Notes), Peter Keepnews (Notes Editing), Carlos Kase (Production Coordination), Mal Waldron (Piano), Ike Isaacs Trio (Bass), Junior Mance (Piano), Carmen McRae (Vocals), John Wriggle (Production Assistant), Wendy Marshall (Bass), Tom Greenwood (Research Coordination), Don Abney (Piano), Kevin Reeves (Mastering), Jamie Krents (Production Assistant), Billie Holiday (Performer), Jo Jones (Drums), Harry Weinger (Reissue Supervisor), Burt Goldblatt (Original Cover Artwork), Kazumi Matsumoto (Design), Billie Holiday (Vocals), Carlos Kase (Research Coordination), Cynthia Sesso (Photo Research), Ella Fitzgerald (Vocals), Burt Goldblatt (Photography), Carmen McRae (Piano), George Wein (Producer), Tom Greenwood (Production Coordination), Norman Granz (Producer), Wendell Marshall (Bass), JoDee Stringham (Design), John Wriggle (Research Assistant)
