Another son of the bayou state, Louis Armstrong was born in New Orleans in 1901. Ella Fitzgerald was born sixteen years later in Newport News, Virginia.
Released in 1956, 'Ella and Louis' was the first of three albums that Satchmo and Lady Ella collaborated on for Verve Records. Their backing band consisted of Oscar Peterson on piano, Herb Ellis on guitar, Ray Brown on bass and Buddy Rich on drums.
Les Claypool is one of the more interesting and talented musicians to make a name for himself these last thirty to forty years. Best known for his work with Primus, his side projects have included Colonel Claypool's Bucket of Bernie Brains with Bernie Worrell, Buckethead and Brains, Oysterhead, Frog Brigade, Duo de Twang and The Claypool Lennon Delirium with Sean Lennon, as well as his own solo albums.
Released in 1996, 'Highball With The Devil' is Claypool's first solo release. Some critics panned it as "too kitschy" but I think that's part of its charm.
The full album can be found here or here.
