Louis Armstrong's career began almost 15 years before Ella Fitzgerald's. Louis was even one of Ella's first musical idols. By the early 1940s, Ella was already a recognized star. Although Ella and Louis had probably already met and performed together, they would not be heard as a duo until January 1946, when they made the first of a few Decca sessions. These dates had no real concept and were limited to pop tunes of the era. The situation would change dramatically on the three records they made between 1956 and 1957 for the Verve label. These memorable albums are Ella & Louis, its sequel, Ella & Louis Again, and the selection of songs from George Gershwin's folk opera Porgy & Bess. Their complete master Decca takes have been added as bonus tracks.