Mack The Knife - Louis Armstrong & Lotte Lenya

"Mack the Knife" was written by Kurt Weill for his wife Lotte Lenya.
This is the only recording in which Louis Armstrong collaborated with the German torch singer.
Record dated on September 28, 1955

[andrewkeen]

Incredibly beautiful, two genuine legends of other times. Thank you.

[alitalia]

Recorded 2 days after I was born. They both had unique voices. Interestingly enough, they both had a part in the Bond phenomena of the 60s. She played Rosa Klebb in From Russia With Love and he sang We Have All the Time in the World in On Her Majesty's Secret Service.

[princeandrey]

Such an uncanny juxtaposition! One doesn't know who to love more!

[unclenogbad]

Fascinating blend of the two styles of this song from two 20th Century icons. Many thanks for posting this. And both sound like they're really enjoying the collaboration, knowing and respecting each other's talents. Tremendous version of this great Brecht/Weil number.

[darius]

sounds like they are having a lot of fun singing together

[pierocells]

Merci ! j'aurais pas imaginé cette rencontre !

[michaelkirsch]

Thanks a million. Didn't know that this recording existed. Just great.

[zander]

a unique recording by two unique artists, thanks

[ceyalen]

Desconocía esta maravillosa versión de una de mis canciones favoritas. Gracias!

[swedeheart]

I've always loved Mack the Knife. I just read her story. I had no idea she was a real person!! This is fabulous!! ♥️

[gilgemash]

Wow! Superb! Thank you for upload, Senõr ! 😷 🌈

[PungiFungi]

Lenya as a singer is forgotten by the general public, as it seems they still remember her only as Rosa Klebb.

[facelesscoward]

Thanks for putting the name of the vinyl in the video!

[Timbretwo]

She's Colonel Rosa Kleb in "From Russia With Love"

[AnunnakiThe]

this song goes way back, the original writer was John Gay ( 1685 - 1732 ) in 1728 he wrote a Play he called : the Beggar's Opera, Macheath ( which later became Mack the Knife , it was actually a theater play about a poor criminal but also a gentleman ( sort of Robinhood ) and using such charachter was also a real thief played his role named Mcheath, targeted the rich and upper class royalties for their money and wealth they stole from the poor .
the original character was a charming and a gentleman and a player but also ruthless toward tyranny and wealthy upper class to which this amazing song was based on that play, many, many times translated after WWI and since used as what is called : lower class criminals to satirize government and upper class society, an Idea of John Gay still been used often .
remember back in late 1720s the settlers were about to had enough of the Tyranny of British colonization of America by over taxation and sheer force, John Gay was an english writer but sided with the settlers over the wealthy society that enslaved them all ..
the more you know .

[moo]

Kurt Weill did not write MACK THE KNIFE for his wife Lotte Lenya. It's the opening song in The Three Penny Opera and is sung by the AUSRUFER meaning Street Singer. She played JENNY and sang other songs in the opera.

[GapsMN]

She was not German, in fact she was Austrian. Her husband Kurt Weill was the German in this relationship.

[sigurd]

Saw Pops perform. Wish I'd met Lotte Lenya.

[ighdesigns]

Love how everyone is smoking in the photos.

[hernanrubindearmas]

Louis has another MACK THE KNIFE recording in which he´s solo. So, Ella Fitzgerald.