“ELLA FITZGERALD/DUKE ELLINGTON: THE STOCKHOLM CONCERT, 1966.”...

“ELLA FITZGERALD/DUKE ELLINGTON: THE STOCKHOLM CONCERT, 1966.” Pablo Live 2308-242. Never before released, this finds both singer and orchestra in close to peak form in five works from the Ellington book and four standards: Jobim’s “So Danco Samba,” Porter’s “Let’s Do It,” Ram Ramirez’s “Lover Man” and Bacharach’s “Wives and Lovers.” Fitzgerald’s own rhythm section, with Jimmy Jones at the piano, joins with the Ellington horns. Except for a too-fast “Cotton Tail” with over-familiar scatting, everything works, most notably a superb arrangement of the Billy Strayhorn-Ellington ballad “Something to Live For.” 4 1/2 stars.