Duke Ellington

1. Take the "A" Train

2. Mood Indigo

3. Perdido

4. Caravan

5. Honeysuckle Rose

6. How High the Moon

7. Sophisticated Lady

8. Tea for Two

9. Just Squeeze Me (But Don't Tease Me)

10. Moon Mist

Duke Ellington,Various Artists,Direct Source Label,Big Band,Big Bands,Classic Jazz,Jazz,Orchestral Jazz,Pop,Progressive Big Band,Swing

Jazz

Music

jazz

music

Average customer rating: Touching Pays music a complement. I love the classical pieces! the Notebook soundtrack (Audio CD) Very Nice A sweeping, emotional standout!

The Notebook Various Artists Manufacturer: New Line Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Swing General | Swing Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Movie Scores | Soundtracks | Styles | Music Movie Soundtracks | Soundtracks | Styles | Music General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music General | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music Similar Items: The Notebook (New Line Platinum Series) The Notebook Finding Neverland A Walk to Remember The Lake House ASIN: B00023B1E4 Release Date: 2004-06-08

Tracks:

1. Main Title
2. Overture
3. "I'll Be Seeing You" Performed by Billie Holiday
4. "Alabamy Home" Performed by Duke Ellington
5. Allie Returns
6. House Blues/The Porch Dance/The Proposal/The Carnival
7. Noah's Journey
8. "Always And Always" Performed by Benny Goodman & His Orchestra
9. "A String Of Pearls" Performed by Glenn Miller & His Orchestra
10. On The Lake
11. "Diga Diga Doo" Performed by Rex Stewart And The Ellingtonians
12. "One O'Clock Jump" Performed by Benny Goodman & His Orchestra
13. "I'll Be Seeing You" Performed by Jimmy Durante
14. Noah's Last Letter
15. Our Love Can Do Miracles

Amazon.com

Based on Nicholas Sparks' novel, director Nick Cassavetes film spins the bittersweet tale of a 60-year romance, as seen from the polar perspectives of its promising youth and the travails of an old age cursed by Alzheimer's. Its soundtrack effectively echoes those polar dramatic concerns, with composer Aaron Zigler's gentle orchestral score largely giving voice to the character's melancholy present, while a rich, well-chosen slate of vintage material by Billie Holiday, Duke Ellington, Benny Goodman and Glenn Miller imparts a restless energy to their youth. There's a certain schmaltz to much of Zigman's work here, yet cues like "House Blues/The Porch Dance.." and "Noah's Journey" argue he's achieved something more elusive than mere melodramatic wallpaper with the deceivingly difficult task at hand; it can't be easy to have your work seasoned with the likes of Ellington's sassy "Alabamy Home" and Goodman's still-vibrant "One O'Clock Jump." Sharply contrasting versions of "I'll Be Seeing You" by Holiday and Jimmy Durante bookend the soundtrack, perfectly evoking the story's alternating shades of hope and fading nostalgia and framing Zigman's understated work in the bargain. --Jerry McCulley

Album Description

Based on the best selling novel by Nicholas Sparks ("A Walk To Remember", "Message In A Bottle"), "The Notebook" is the story of Noah and Allie, teenage lovers torn apart by WWII and Allie's parents' demands to marry a respectable lawyer. After 14 years apart, they meet again and rekindle their true love. Starring Ryan Gosling, Rachel McAdams, James Garner, and Gena Rowlands. The soundtrack is a propelling force. In addition to classic WWII era pieces, Aaron Zigman's score suites enhance the record with beautifully dramatic themes. Score performed by the Hollywood Studio Symphony.

Customer Reviews:

Touching.......2007-07-04

There isn't much I can say about this beautiful movie, except that it was so touching!
It say's go for the "true love", settle for nothing else no matter what may be in store, because love that is "true" and as beautiful as their's was, is a rare thing!
I absolutely loved the ending.
I also loved that a movie CAN be truly wonderful, beautiful and touching WITHOUT grafic "sex scenes!" Also sadly a rare thing in movies today.

Ever seen "Hanover Street?" Equally beautiful. No SEX scenes either!

Angelfish

Pays music a complement. I love the classical pieces!.......2007-05-27

I do not have the soundtrack to The Notebook, but I do have the movie itself. Having said that, every song is wonderful. Some music carries with it, a wealth of emotion and a sense of timelessness. I love all of the classical pieces , perhaps the best, in this particular movie. Classical has never been my speed when it comes down to music, but something about this movie's classical masterpieces struck a chord in me...made me smile and maybe even sniffle a bit. If you are a fan of the movie, I'm sure you would love its soundtrack too. Music like this is ideal for a romantic evening or just for pleasure listening. You don't know if you'll like something until you give it a chance! So give this a chance!!

the Notebook soundtrack (Audio CD).......2007-05-13

This is a beautiful collection of music from the movie, The Notebook. Most is instrumental, very relaxing, as well as lively at times. Two renditions of "I'll Be Seeing You" are included.

Very Nice.......2007-03-30

I really enjoyed listening to the soundtrack, but I'm also a big fan of background music and this cd was great for both. Listening to the cd took me back to the movie and reminded me how much I enjoyed it, but I also put the cd on during a nice meal with friends and it worked out very well, they all enjoyed the music.

A sweeping, emotional standout!.......2007-01-11

The music from The Notebook brings you right back to the film, capturing your heart and soul. It's music will roll live waves through your soul and bring you from nostalgia to your own feelings of love and desire. The selections, arrangements and orchestrations are to be admired, and Mr. Zigman is to be praised. This soundtrack truly completes the legacy of "The Notebook".

Average customer rating: Another Pinnacle This is Different Excellent The Duke and the First Lady of Song - a dream team Strong Chemistry

Ella at Duke's Place Ella Fitzgerald & Duke Ellington Manufacturer: Polygram Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Jazz | Styles | Music Swing General | Swing Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music Classic Big Band | Swing Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music Contemporary Big Band | Swing Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music Traditional Jazz General | Traditional Jazz & Ragtime | Jazz | Styles | Music Vocal Jazz General | Vocal Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music Classic Vocalists | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music Traditional Vocal Pop | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music General | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music Traditional Pop | Oldies | Pop | Styles | Music Similar Items: Nina Simone Sings the Blues Amazing Grace Diva Red Dirt Girl Ella & Basie ASIN: B000004718 Release Date: 1996-02-27

Tracks:

1. Something To Live For
2. A Flower Is A Lovesome Thing (AKA 'Passion')
3. Passion Flower
4. I Like The Sunrise
5. Azure
6. Imagine My Frustration
7. Duke's Place (AKA 'C-Jam Blues')
8. Brown-Skin Gal (In The Calico Gown)
9. What Am I Here For?
10. Cotton Tail

Amazon.com essential recording

Ella Fitzgerald made some of her greatest recordings with Duke Ellington and his band, including the extensive three-CD Ellington Songbook and the eight-CD Cote d'Azur Concerts. This session from 1965 is an excellent place to begin listening to the relationship, a self-contained set that joins Fitzgerald with the Duke and his still-great band. The brilliance of Fitzgerald's voice is apparent even when placed amid such great Ellingtonians as altoist Johnny Hodges and trumpeters Cootie Williams and Cat Anderson. She and Hodges are perfectly matched on subtle Billy Strayhorn tunes like "A Flower Is a Lovesome Thing" and "Passion Flower." --Stuart Broomer

Customer Reviews:

Another Pinnacle.......2007-02-03

Before hearing this summit meeting, I was prepared to call "Blue Rose" (see review) one of Duke's 3-4 greatest albums and certainly the most underrated. My 40-year-long ignorance about this consummate encounter between Duke and Ella tells me "Blue Rose" has competition in the underrated category.

This is Ellington at full strength (before the loss of Johnny Hodges) and Ella, too (before some of the wavering vibrato of the 1970s). Above all, it's a session that captures every delicate shade and hue of the exquisitely beautiful, albeit often challenging, music of Billy Strayhorn. There's no fooling around during this session, no jam session looseness, no programming to meet general consumer approval (starting the session with "Something to Live For" and "A Flower Is a Lovesome Thing" is in itself indicative of the seriousness of this project).

As respectful as this date is, there are fine moments by some of the Ellington stars--Hodges, Gonsalves, Cootie, Jimmy Hamilton, even Duke's piano. And to the usual brain trust of Duke and Stray, add the arranging talents of the wonderful Jimmy Jones (accompanist for Sarah, then Nancy Wilson). Ellingtonphiles will appreciate the inimitable orchestral colors and textures along with the absence of haste and sloppiness while at the same time discovering a more "personal" Ellington and Ella than on the 50s Songbook.

Anyone new to the pair might wish to save this one for later and start instead with the Duke-Ella Cote d'Azure date, where there's more scattin' and jammin'. And if you want to hear Ella singing the greatest C-Jam Blues/Duke's Place (the titles are always used interchangeably) of all time, there's only one recording worth considering: "Bluella."

This is Different.......2005-10-22

This 1965 recording is quite different from the 1957 Songbook meeting as it sounds like it was thoroughly rehearsed. This is a paradox, in my opinion, since the typical looseness of Duke's band is absent, resulting in a more rigid and mechanical performance. On the other hand, the band doesn't run over Ella as they often did on the Songbook. This is probably want Norman Granz was looking for the first time around when Duke, according to legend, showed up unprepared. I strongly prefer the Songbook though, in spite of its problems.

Excellent.......2004-03-26

Despite the fact that this is not one of Ella or Duke's best known albums, it is defintely one of the best. Ella was at perhaps her absoltue peak vocally when this was recorded in 1965, and I doubt that there is a living vocalist who could re-create many moments in the album. But it's not just about a wonderful voice; Ella puts a lot of soul and feeling into these songs. Her "Something to Live For" is so poignant that it is impossible to listen to it without being moved. The two "Flower" songs are excellent, expoliting her rich lower register to create intense longing and desire. "Sunrise" is again touching, the First Lady sings it with just the right blend of sadness and hope for a better day. "Azure" is awesome, especially after the full band drops out, leaving just Ella and Duke on piano to noodle around. "Frustration" is fun, with Ella wailing her heart out. "Duke's Place" is a also great, showing that Duke and Ella could do wonders with just two notes. "Brown Skin Gal in the Calico Gown" starts out as a soft, yearning ballad, and then becomes a flag-waving swinger. "What Am I Here For?" is sung by Ella with her tongue-in-cheek, like "How dare you leave me alone with nothing to look forward to?!" ;-) And finally, the closing "Cottontail" is unforgettable; it is truly one of the greatest vocal improvisations preserved on record.

Well, that's about it. Can you tell I liked this CD? :-P

The Duke and the First Lady of Song - a dream team.......2004-01-04

This is a musical reunion of Ella and Duke in 1965 since they created their monumental 1957 "Ella Sings Duke Ellington" album. The 1965 album brought back the musicians who made the 1957 album special and you can see that Ella is having a ball and in some cases, she reaches an intense emotionality very rarely associated with her, like my favorite Ellington tune "A Flower Is A Lovesome Thing." The key charts exploited her lower registers and she langoured in its vast richness. And as in the 1957 album, where rumours of under-rehearsals were rife, the 1965 album did nothing to dissipate those rumours. In songs like "Azure", one can sense that there was no rehearsal -- more like an extended jam session with Gonsalves trading obbligatos with Ella. Ella herself was at her loosest best where she playfully pushed her voice to exciting improvisatory limits. Highly recommended. Next to Count Basie, I think Ella is happiest when she works with the Duke. And can't anyone ever eclipse Ella's "Caravan"?

Strong Chemistry.......2000-03-11

Ella Fitzgerald is one of the worlds Greatest Vocalist ever.her voice is Diamond.together with One of The Greatest Teachers of Music Mr.Duke Ellington this disc is a must have.the Pairing of the two is Music History.her voice and the band are pure magic.you feel Admiration&genius on both parts.a strong chemistry.together they hit the right note.

Average customer rating: One of the best ever! Kristen Chenowith Has its moments Great CD! This woman has what it takes, and then some...

Let Yourself Go Kristin Chenoweth , Jule Styne , George Gershwin , Richard Rodgers , Jeanine Tesori , Kurt Weill , Jerome Kern , Vincent Youmans , Ricky Ian Gordon , Richard Dworsky , Lawrence Ellington Duke / Brown , Harry Warren , Bobby Troup , Jason Alexander , Irving Berlin , Rob Fisher , and The Coffee Club Orchestra Manufacturer: Sony ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Gershwin | Gershwin, George | ( G ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Weill | Weill, Kurt | ( W ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Marches | Theatrical, Incidental & Program Music | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Chamber Music | Forms & Genres | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Vocal & Song | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Modern & 20th Century | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Movie Scores | Soundtracks | Styles | Music Movie Soundtracks | Soundtracks | Styles | Music General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music Traditional Vocal Pop | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music General | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music General | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music Traditional Pop | Oldies | Pop | Styles | Music Classical Music | The Sony BMG Masterworks Store | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music Opera & Vocal | The Sony BMG Masterworks Store | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music Musicals | The Sony BMG Masterworks Store | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music Similar Items: As I Am Still I Can't Be Still You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown (1999 Broadway Revival Cast) Leonard Bernstein's Candide (Great Performances) WICKED: THE GRIMMERIE, A BEHIND-THE-SCENES LOOK AT THE HIT BROADWAY MUSICAL ASIN: B000059T4T Release Date: 2001-05-29

Tracks:

1. Let Yourself Go
2. If
3. How Long Has This Been Going On?
4. My Funny Valentine
5. Hanging Around with You (with Jason Alexander)
6. The Girl in 14G
7. I'll Tell the Man in the Street
8. I'm a Stranger Here Myself
9. Nobody Else But Me
10. Nobody's Heart Belongs to Me/Why Can't I?
11. Should I Be Sweet?
12. He's Just an Ordinary Guy
13. Going to the Dance with You
14. On a Turquoise Cloud
15. You'll Never Know
16. Daddy

Amazon.com

Kristin Chenoweth won a Tony for the supporting role of Sally Brown in the 1999 revival of You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown, made a memorably vampy Lily in the 1999 television film of Annie, and had an NBC sitcom created for her, Kristin! Now she grabs the spotlight in Let Yourself Go, her first solo recording. She mixes torchy standards ("My Funny Valentine," "How Long Has This Been Going On?") with Faith Prince-style sauciness ("If"), gets to show off her operatic and scat chops in the miniplay "The Girl in 14G," and shares a light duet with Jason Alexander (reviving his musical theater career post-Seinfeld). Perhaps her "Stranger Here Myself" isn't the weightiest you've ever heard, but this is an enjoyable album with a good deal of old-fashioned class, expertly accompanied by Rob Fisher and the Coffee Club Orchestra. --David Horiuchi

Customer Reviews:

One of the best ever!.......2007-04-24

Do I mean the best album or the best singer? You are correct if you said both! I saw Kristin Chenoweth on a PBS show "Broadway's Best at the Pops," (though it was not the first time I had heard her) and decided to check out the offerings here. This is a collection of the kind of music and performances I love. She has a great range, a precise pitch, and a great style that is at the same time true to the music and to herself. In an era when singers try to outdo each other re-interpreting the composer's original work, not usually with great success, she is a blessing!

Kristen Chenowith.......2007-02-26

I bought this CD for the Girl in 14G. Yes, it's that good...

Has its moments.......2007-02-19

After watching Candide endlessly and going to see Ms. Chenoweth in The Apple Tree, I was hungry for something more portable to listen to. At times this fits the bill, but what surprised me the most is how thin her voice comes across on this recording. Perhaps it was the joy of seeing her live that has ruined this listener; perhaps I need to upgrade my aging music system. Then again, maybe the recording is just not as good as Ms. C singing Bernstein or as good as staring at Ms. C command a Broadway stage.

Great CD!.......2007-01-19

I truly enjoy listening to this CD. Kristin Chenoweth's vocal style and abilities are very well-matched to the songs selected for this album. If you enjoy classic, older-style Broadway/popular tunes, I would highly recommend this CD. Ms. Chenoweth has a bright, expressive voice and does a fantastic job with this material.

As with any full-length CD, there are a couple of songs I am not as crazy about, but that has to do with the songs themselves, not Ms. Chenoweth's vocal performance. Overall, I love this album and have listened to it several times now, since receiving it as a Christmas gift last month.

This woman has what it takes, and then some..........2007-01-12

Kristin Chenoweth brings new life to some timeless Broadways tunes while introducing a few wonderful new ones. This high pitched vocal goddess effortlessly provides for a nearly flawless and easy listening experience. I definitly recommend this CD for anyone who enjoys jazz vocals, showtunes, or just a new spin on some old classics.

Average customer rating: The last Gasp of the Big Band Era What ELSE is on this CD? Who really cares? Diminuendo in Blue and Crescendo in Blue Gonsalves Flirts With Woman in Audience A legendary performance burnished

Ellington At Newport 1956 Duke Ellington Manufacturer: Sony ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Jazz | Styles | Music Swing General | Swing Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music Classic Big Band | Swing Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music Contemporary Big Band | Swing Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music Orchestral Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music Similar Items: The Complete Atomic Basie First Time: The Count Meets the Duke The Hot Fives & Sevens Mingus Ah Um Moanin' ASIN: B00000IMYA Release Date: 1999-05-11

Tracks:

1. Star Spangled Banner
2. Father Norman O'Connor Introduces Duke & The Orchestra/Duke Introduces Tune & Anderson, Jackson...
3. Black And Tan Fantasy
4. Duke Introduces Cook & Tune
5. Tea For Two
6. Duke & Band Leave Stage/Father Norman O'Connor Talks About The Festival
7. Take The A Train
8. Duke Announces Strayhorn's A Train & Nance/Duke Introduces Festival Suite, Part I & Hamilton
9. Festival Suite: Part I - Festival Junction (Live)
10. Duke Announces Soloists; Introduces Part II (Live)
11. Festival Suite: Part II - Blues To Be There (Live)
12. Duke Announces Nance & Procope; Introduces Part III (Live)
13. Festival Suite: Part III - Newport Up
14. Duke Announces Hamilton, Gonsalves, & Terry/Duke Introduces Carney & Tune (Live)
15. Sophisticated Lady (Live)
16. Duke Announces Grissom & Tune (Live)
17. Day In, Day Out (Live)
18. Duke Introduces Tune(s) And Paul Gonsalves Interludes (Live)
19. Diminuendo In Blues And Crescendo In Blue (Live)
20. Announcements, Pandemonium (Live)
21. Pause Track

Tracks:

1. Duke Introduces Johnny Hodges
2. I Got It Bad (And That Ain't Good) (Live)
3. Jeep's Blues (Live)
4. Duke Calms Crowd; Introduces Nance & Tune
5. Tulip Or Turnip
6. Riot Prevention
7. Skin Deep
8. Mood Indigo
9. Studio Concert (Excerpts)
10. Father Norman O'Connor Introduces Duke Ellington/Duke Introduces New Work, Part I, & Hamilton
11. Festival Suite: Part I - Festival Junction
12. Duke Announces Soloists; Introduces Part II (Production)
13. Festival Suite: Part II - Blues To Be There
14. Duke Announes Nance & Procope; Introduces Part III (Production)
15. Festival Suite: Part III - Newport Up (Production)
16. Duke Announces Hamilton, Gonsalves, & Terry/Duke Introduces Johnny Hodges (Production)
17. I Got It Bad (And That Ain't Good) (Production)
18. Jeep's Blues (Studio)
19. Pause Track

Amazon.com essential recording

When Duke Ellington took his orchestra to the Newport Jazz Festival in 1956, the band was in need of an uplift, some humongous event that would revitalize its image in the wake of bebop, hard bop, and so many more jazz currents. Ellington got the lift he needed when he called "Diminuendo in Blue" with set-closer "Crescendo in Blue" tacked on the end. Tenor saxophonist Paul Gonsalves got the nod from Ellington to segue from "Diminuendo" to "Crescendo," and he blew doors. With one rousing 27-chorus solo, Gonsalves blew a fever into the crowd and jump-started Ellingtonia for another generation. Trouble with all this is that the living document of the Newport show is almost fully manufactured, recorded in a studio with crowd madness dubbed in. So this two-CD historical correction is an awesome addition to the centennial-era reissues on Columbia (including Anatomy of a Murder, Such Sweet Thunder, First Time: Count Meets the Duke, and Black, Brown and Beige). The producers revisited the Newport gig after four decades because they discovered an extant Voice of America tape--the one whose microphone Gonsalves blew his solo into, and the VOA tape catches the whole Newport set in its organic glory. Alternately tender with layers of brushstroke orchestration and blazing with the band's well-seasoned tightness, this new Newport is one for the generalist and the Ellington completist. It's got the revived original gig as well as the original commercial release. And they make great siblings, illustrative of the live-event charm and the music industry's dogged labors in reinventing it on record. --Andrew Bartlett

Customer Reviews:

The last Gasp of the Big Band Era.......2007-06-27

Perhaps that isn't a totally fair statement but rock and roll meant the end of the big band era. Here the Ellington band got back together after a short hiatus and produced some great music. I like the Newport Suite and the standards. Jimmy Hamilton, an underrated clarinetist, is very impressive. And of course, Johnny Hodges, Harry Carney, Clark Terry and Britt Woodman contribute great solos. Diminuendo in Blue and Crescendo in Blue is exciting but the solo by Paul Gonsalves has always been overrated. If you want to hear a great extended tenor sax solo in concert, listen to Rahsaan Roland Kirk on Perdido with Charles Mingus at Carnegie Hall. This aside, there is much to like here and things were never the same again.

What ELSE is on this CD? Who really cares?.......2007-04-29

I've owned this record ("record" - what an old-fashioned word!), in some form or another, for about thirty-five years. And today is Duke's birthday anniversary, and Diminuendo and Crescendo was on the radio, and I listened. And the goosebumps came, and the tears of joy and emotion still flowed. The sense of occasion is matched by the magnificence of the performance - one of the greatest ever performances by the greatest band of all time. And, by the way, a masterpiece composition which did not receive its due on the original recording. What is NOT great here? Some of the highpoints: Jimmy Woode's pedal points in Diminuendo, Hodges' fills in Crescendo, the strutting Trombone section of Woodman, Jackson and Sanders - a miracle of section playing. Duke's jabs and fills (of course!), Woodyard in what is possibly the highpoint of his career, Cat Anderson taking us home at the end. Oh - and Paul Gonsalves! This performance is the apotheosis of everything from the wildest New Orleans Street Parade to the wailingest Albert Ayler collective avant-gospel freakout - and all what is in between. If you don't have this...well, why DON'T you have this?

Diminuendo in Blue and Crescendo in Blue.......2007-01-29

Specially, I like the long solo of Bud Gonsalves. It's really swings.

Gonsalves Flirts With Woman in Audience.......2006-05-08

There is so much wonderful writing on this release already, so I will make it quick. On Ken Burns History of Jazz, George Wein talks about this marvelous concert. He said that a very attractive blonde woman was dancing in an isle to Diminuendo in Blue/Crescendo in Blue. Gonsalves was "playing to this woman" and it caused quite a stir in the audience. Ellington then spurred Gonsalves to continue on and on. A great historical anecdote that makes the recording even more special. The fact that this performance is reputed to have rekindled Ellington's career makes it all seem more fun!

A legendary performance burnished.......2006-04-01

In the reviews that I read (not all), I did not see a mention of what an excellent job Columbia did in the remastering. I owned the LP when it was first issued and it has been a lifelong favorite; so it was a very pleasant surprise to hear how much the sound was improved on this release. (The whole series of recent Columbia remasterings is excellent.)

A legendary performance? Oh yeahhh, the missing Voice of America tape, Philly Jo Jones driving the band (apocryphally) with a rolled up newspaper, and the Dancing Blonde In The Black Dress who got the crowd on their feet and roaring during the Gonsalves solo. The Time cover, and the renaissance of the band. And a performance that easily supports the weight of the legends...

The format of this release, complete and with the studio recordings appended, is very interesting; it corrects and completes the historical record. It's good to hear the studio recordings, now seeming oversmooth and plump, in comparison to the real thing.

I consider it an essential recording.

Average customer rating: Perfect Combo! Spectacular recording! Ellington and Coltrane Beautiful DUKE ELLINGTON & JOHN COLTRANE: a casual, unchallenging listen My Favorite Jazz Album

Duke Ellington & John Coltrane Duke Ellington , and John Coltrane Manufacturer: Grp Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Bebop General | Bebop | Jazz | Styles | Music General | Jazz | Styles | Music Modern Postbebop | Jazz | Styles | Music Swing General | Swing Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music Traditional Jazz General | Traditional Jazz & Ragtime | Jazz | Styles | Music Bebop & Post-Bop | Compilations | Jazz | Styles | Music GRP | Verve Music Group | Specialty Stores | Music Similar Items: Prime Live at Birdland The Great Summit: The Master Takes John Coltrane & Johnny Hartman John Coltrane: Crescent ASIN: B000003N7R Release Date: 1995-10-24

Tracks:

1. In A Sentimental Mood
2. Take The Coltrane
3. Big Nick
4. Stevie
5. My Little Brown Book
6. Angelica
7. The Feeling Of Jazz

Amazon.com essential recording

Perhaps looking to renew his inspiration or maybe simply wanting to broaden his horizons, Duke Ellington began a string of collaborations in the second half of his career--whereas before that, his own band was stimulus enough. Whatever the reason, almost all of his collaborations succeeded at high levels, although none of his shared sessions are more intriguing on the surface than this 1962 date with the preeminent sax star of the day. In reality, the record amounts to "Coltrane Plays Ellington" (plus one Coltrane original) because the tenor man is the whole show--and what a show it is. Only Coltrane could be as "fiercely tender," and there's no better forum for his sensitive side than the music of Ellington and Billy Strayhorn, who contributes the album's true vertex, "My Little Brown Book." The rhythm section alternates between Duke's and Trane's, each adding a different texture to the proceedings. Ellington is wise enough to appreciate the nature of the session, and he is quite content to feed chords in service of the young master--proving the old master's open mind and good taste. Hearing Coltrane seize "In a Sentimental Mood" is thanks enough. --Marc Greilsamer

Customer Reviews:

Perfect Combo! Spectacular recording!.......2007-02-04

These classic albums Coltrane did for Impulse are some of my personal favorites (i.e. 'John Coltane w/ Johnny Hartman', 'Ballads', and 'Ascension') of all the jazz recordings I own on either CD or Vinyl. This one is a beauty! Every song on this album is perfect. So many times two greats would meet and cut an album of less than superior quality. This is definitely not one of those cases. From the moment the first song 'In a Sentimental Mood' comes on you are taken on a magical journey that truly showcases just how brilliant these artists were as musicians and composers. Of course it's always great to have such a fine rythm section backing you up - Jimmy Garrison, Elvin Jones (awesome as always!), Aaron Bell, Sam Woodward, ... all playing at their best. If you are a fan of Ellington and/or Coltrane than obviously this is a must have album. All in all, it's just fun, exciting music that gives you a warm, cushy feeling inside every time you listen to it. Those of you who are relatively new to jazz, this is a must have. You won't be disappointed I promise.

Ellington and Coltrane.......2007-01-10

How can I say anything negative about two of the greatest jazz musicians who ever lived. The music was subperb.

Amazon sent me this CD in a most timely fashion. All went smoothly.

Beautiful.......2006-09-17

The album starts with one of the greatest versions of a jazz song - "In A Sentimental Mood". Coltrane's playing on it is brilliant, and Duke's piano playing sounds much better than in the 1941 version of the same song. The bass & drum alternate between Duke's & John's. At the tempos and volumes they're playing at, there isn't a significant difference between the two sets. Coltrane's playing is a slight retreat in terms of adventurousness. It may have been mouthpiece problems or maybe because he was playing with Duke Ellington. Either way, it's lack of challenge doesn't diminish the beauty of the playing. Some have said Duke sounds more modern than Coltrane, but I don't hear that. This album won't turn your personal jazz world on its ear, but it is a lot of fun to listen to. It's also fine for non-jazz fans.

DUKE ELLINGTON & JOHN COLTRANE: a casual, unchallenging listen.......2005-09-22

this pairing of jazz greats is such a strange idea. two very different musical thinkers who you might think would clash in the studio, join together in a nice little collaboration. the problem is, it's a little too nice. there is no real spark here and the players seem to be genuinely delighted to be playing together, but there is no overt displays of passion in these songs. "In A Sentimental Mood" starts off very warm and nice and it's great to hear Coltrane's playing over Duke's piano. but once you get the general idea, it's all of the same. overall, it's a nice little cd, but i cannot recommend it highly, there are many many more worthwhile albums that were made seperately by these two artists. still, if the mood hits you, you can slip on your cardigan and your pipe and slippers and listen to this by the fire.

My Favorite Jazz Album.......2005-09-13

The review by R. Davis best summarizes it for me. I can't listen to this album enough. Every song is great, every performance is great. The most improbable matchup creates amazing magic. The last tune, "The Feeling of Jazz", is as good as it gets.

Average customer rating: Sweet Compilation Inconsistency at its finest Poor quality of recordings is distracting Crackle for ambience, Ellington forever The Great Duke Ellington!

The Very Best of Duke Ellington Duke Ellington Manufacturer: RCA ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Jazz | Styles | Music Swing General | Swing Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music Classic Big Band | Swing Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music Contemporary Big Band | Swing Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music Orchestral Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music Similar Items: The Very Best of Benny Goodman Glenn Miller - Greatest Hits Tommy Dorsey - Greatest Hits [RCA] The Very Best of Artie Shaw Artie Shaw - Greatest Hits ASIN: B000050G83 Release Date: 2000-11-07

Tracks:

1. Take The 'A' Train
2. Warm Valley
3. Cotton Tail
4. Jack The Bear
5. Concerto For Cootie
6. Black And Tan Fantasy
7. East Saint Louis Toodle-O
8. The Mooche
9. Mood Indigo
10. Rockin' In Rhythm
11. Creole Rhapsody, Part 1
12. I Got It Bad (And That Ain't Good)
13. Don't You Know I Care (Or Don't You Care To Know)
14. Chelsea Bridge
15. Work Song
16. Caravan
17. Perdido
18. Isfahan
19. Blood Count
20. Come Sunday

Customer Reviews:

Sweet Compilation.......2006-02-24

An excellent variety of Duke Ellington's music which includes both vocals and instrumentals. While the quality of each recording is not perfect, the imprefections add to the ambience associated with listening to the originals on the radio.

Inconsistency at its finest.......2005-03-02

This CDs recordings span 40 years, and that should account for some of the difference in sound quality. However, I have some of these same records in my collection, which sound better and cleaner than the transfers here. "Warm Valley" is particularly disappointing; there is substantial swish and crackle throughout which could have been minimized very easily. Some of the work is wonderful, some is awful. I would expect better from BMG.

Poor quality of recordings is distracting.......2004-11-06

I sought out this disk as an intro to Duke Ellington's work and to acquire a recording of "Take the 'A' Train." "'A' Train" is without vocals on this disk, which was disappointing for me. Guess I'll have to look elsewhere for a vocal rendition of that piece. ("I Got It Bad...", "Don't You Know...", "Come Sunday" all have excellent vocals on this disk)

Also dissapointing is the quality of many of the recordings. Perhaps this is as good as it gets in terms of what survives today. If so, that's a shame. Hiss and scratches are prominent, particularly in "Mood Indigo" and "Creole Rhapsody." Also, many of the solo instruments seem overdriven (I might even say too loud for their respective mixes), causing distortion in the early songs on the disk -- "Warm Valley", "Jack The Bear", and "Rockin' In Rhythm" in particular. In general, sound quality does improve as you get deeper into the CD and encounter the more recent recordings.

My Duke Ellington knowledge is limited, but if asked if I would recommend this disk as a way of introduction, I would say no. There must be something better out there.

Crackle for ambience, Ellington forever.......2003-12-05

There's some slight crackling on this disc, but it's not bad at all, just enough to add some extra ambience to all those freezing winter evenings spent at home on your couch under the toasty glow of Duke Ellington and His Famous Orchestra. The recordings on this compilation date from between 1928 and 1966, so the sound quality varies, but it's never annoying. As for the Duke's music, if you ever get tired of "Take The 'A' Train", "Cotton Tail", or "Isfahan", you're nuts.

The Great Duke Ellington!.......2003-05-17

Once again, I am back with a Duke review. And I say, "SUPERB!" My favorite is, "Take the A train" among others. The level of the bass on this song must have been heart pounding when heard live, judging from this CD; I'd say it was very noticeable. There was a hint of old recording crackling in the background when heard through earphones, but the recordings really were very clear. I could listen to this CD all day long. Another great CD I recommend.

Average customer rating: ellington & armstrong One of my favorite cds awesome It's hard to beat the classics High Peak

The Great Summit: The Master Takes Louis Armstrong & Duke Ellington Manufacturer: Blue Note Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Jazz | Styles | Music Swing General | Swing Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music Traditional Jazz General | Traditional Jazz & Ragtime | Jazz | Styles | Music Vocal Jazz General | Vocal Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music Traditional Vocal Pop | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music General | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music Traditional Pop | Oldies | Pop | Styles | Music Blue Note Records | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music General | Jazz | Indie Music | Stores | Music Traditional Jazz | Jazz | Indie Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: First Time: The Count Meets the Duke Duke Ellington & John Coltrane Louis Armstrong Plays W.C. Handy Piano Reflections Satch Plays Fats: The Music of Fats Waller ASIN: B00005614N Release Date: 2001-01-09

Tracks:

1. Duke's Place
2. I'm Just A Lucky So And So
3. Cottontail
4. Mood Indigo
5. Do Nothin' Till You Hear From Me
6. The Beautiful American
7. Black And Tan Fantasy
8. Drop Me Off In Harlem
9. The Mooche
10. In A Mellow Tone
11. It Don't Mean A Thing (If It Ain't Got That Swing)
12. Solitude
13. Don't Get Around Much Anymore
14. I'm Beginning To See The Light
15. Just Squeeze Me
16. I Got It Bad (And That Ain't Good)
17. Azalea

Amazon.com

For starters, The Great Summit produced not only itself, both with this Master Takes set and the two-CD Complete Sessions, but also a later summit, Count Basie and Ellington's tandem showdown, First Time. On its own, though, The Great Summit needs no later chapters to justify its celebrated standing in jazz annals. This was and is terrifically important music: Ellington is in grand form between recording the Paris Blues soundtrack and cutting ace sessions like Duke Ellington Meets Coleman Hawkins and Duke Ellington and John Coltrane in late 1962. For his part, Armstrong was on leave as well, resting up between ceaseless tours as a bona fide jazz superstar and veteran. So Ellington and Armstrong join hands, backed by the latter's band (Trummy Young on trombone, Barney Bigard on clarinet, Mort Herbert on bass, and Danny Barcelona on drums), tackling 17 of Duke's tunes. Armstrong's sweet, rolling vocal growl gives the tunes endless hugs, just as his band both cuts plump solos and then backs way off so Ellington can throw down alternately swinging and unapologetically modernist solos himself. --Andrew Bartlett

Album Description

Louis Armstrong and Duke Ellington the most important artists in the history of jazz and the two most influential American musicians of the 20th Century. Because of their centennials (1999 for Duke and 2000 for Louis), their great legacy is celebrating a worldwide rennaissnce. And this month, they are the focus and the continum in Ken Burns' JAZZ, a 20-hour documentary to be broadcast on PBS. In April, 1961, these two giants got togethr in a New York studio for their only encounter. Louis brought his trumpet, voice and the all-stars with Trummy Young and Barney Bigard. Duke brought his pianistic talents and a considerable canon of great compositions. The magic that transpired over one night and the following afternoon was an historic simgularity.

This disc contains all 17 master takes that made during those magical sessions, newly remixed from the original tapes with 24-bit/96kHz mastering for maximum fidelity, far superior to the previous mid-price CD issue.

PERSONNEL:
Louis Armstrong (trumpet,vocals), Trummy Young (trombone), Barney Bigard (clarinet), Duke Ellington (piano), Mort Herbert (bass), Danny Barcelona (drums).

Customer Reviews:

ellington & armstrong.......2007-01-16

simply wonderful - two of my favorite musical artists....period. this proves why their fans have endured.

One of my favorite cds.......2007-01-15

If you're not into Jazz, you'll still love this CD.

awesome.......2007-01-04

the title says it all. two giants of jazz at their best. positively sublime. a must for all jazz lovers.

It's hard to beat the classics.......2006-08-15

Sure, these guys have been gone a long time and this was recorded a decade before that, If you've listened to any classic jazz, you've almost certainly heard cuts from this album. It's still a joy to listen to and a gem to hear it in its entirity. The compositions are all Ellington's, but Satchmo and Duke make the music theirs together. Mercifully, there are no "bonus track" outtakes here, but plenty of music nonetheless. Aside from the pure talent of Armstrong and Ellington -- and their sidemen -- there is a chemistry between these two very different jazz legends. To my ear, there is an enthusiasm at their only pairing in their respective 50 year careers, and a spontaneity that gives it a unique energy. Underproduced by today's standards and under-rehearsed by their standards, the production is clean and energic. Recorded in RCA's great Manhattan studios and masterfully remastered, the recording itself is second to none. Groundbreaking? No, but still a landmark because of what it is. Best of all, though, it's just really, really wonderful to listen to.

High Peak.......2006-05-05

I write this as a Louis Armstrong fan. I respect Duke Ellington, but I haven't heard nearly as much of his output as I have of Louis Armstrong's. My judgment is more about Satchmo's performance here than about Ellington's.
I consider this an example of Armstrong showing a musical colleague how much he cares about all music. At this point in Armstrong's career he had committed most of his repertoire to Long-Playing vinyl. It's easy to forget that, in 1961, many of the classic 78s of the jazz era had still not been transferred to LP, and it is easy to forget that such transfers were not necessarily cleaned up for playback. This is my roundabout way of saying that, in re-recording much of his own material, Armstrong, throughout the fifties, was playing music he'd played since the twenties. He and the All-Stars, his small combo founded in the forties, were well attuned to each other and waxed some of the greatest performances of Armstrong's career, live or in the studio. But Armstrong had only been recorded with Ellington very rarely previously. I am not certain, but I think there are literally a couple of songs he and Ellington played live on the air in the late 1930s, and I wouldn't be very surprised if they played once or twice without being recorded at other times. But they'd never really sat down and worked out a set until 1961, when they were both in New York at the same time and had the opportunity. The songs on this album were not songs Armstrong played in his stage shows and he didn't make records of them. But he was not caught short here. He knew this material, either because he learned it for this project or because he'd been listening to this music for years, and he understood it. The marvelous thing is he clearly cared for it. Armstrong sets aside his personality for THE GREAT SUMMIT, or, more to the point, he set aside everybody else's expectations and interprets the lyrics in all their somber beauty. His trumpet is earnest here. His trumpet is always full-bodied, but on this project, Louis Armstrong is not, if you will, playing the showman, but expressing, through his trumpet, the music of another genius. It may be the most giving performance of his career. And that's saying a lot, given that his career is full of high peaks.
I sometimes put this CD on when I go to bed at night. It sounds like New York City. There's a breeze, some laughter in the air, and cameraderie. Two musical innovators commenting on what they see, for all to hear.

Average customer rating: Truely Explosive Music Two giants shaking hands! I got the 8 track version but it still sounds good to me! Two Masters At Play On A Highly Enjoyable,Challenging & Rewarding Recording Smoking music

First Time: The Count Meets the Duke Duke Ellington with Count Basie's Orchestra Manufacturer: Sony ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Blues | Styles | Music General | Jazz | Styles | Music Swing General | Swing Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music Classic Big Band | Swing Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music Contemporary Big Band | Swing Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music CDs $7 - $10 | Swing Jazz | Jazz | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music All Bargain Titles | Swing Jazz | Jazz | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music 4-for-3 Jazz | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music 4-for-3 Pop | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music 4-for-3 All Music | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: The Great Summit: The Master Takes Live at the Sands The Complete Atomic Basie Chairman of the Board Ellington At Newport 1956 ASIN: B00000IMYM Release Date: 1999-04-27

Tracks:

1. Battle Royal
2. To You
3. Take The "A" Train
4. Until I Met You
5. Wild Man
6. Segue In C
7. B D B
8. Jumpin' At The Woodside
9. One More Once - (bonus track)
10. Take The "A" Train - (bonus track, previously unreleased, alternate take, rehearsal)
11. Jumpin' At The Woodside - (bonus track, previously unreleased, alternate take)
12. B D B - (bonus track, previously unreleased, alternate take)
13. Blues In Hoss' Flat (Blues In Frankie's Flat) - (bonus track)
14. Wild Man - (bonus track, previously unreleased, alternate take)
15. Battle Royal - (bonus track, previously unreleased, alternate take, rehearsal)
16. (Pause Track)

Amazon.com essential recording

The two greatest big bands in jazz history side by side on your headphones: What can be more glorious? If, as Billy Strayhorn said, Duke Ellington's band was his instrument, then this 1961 session finds Ellington and Count Basie "trading fours," as it were. The composer credits and solo space are divided democratically, to say the least--four songs from Duke's camp, four from Basie's. The sparring between soloists of both bands is a pure delight, especially the gentle conversations between the two leaders-pianists, who finish each other's thoughts as if all four hands were attached to one unified torso. Highlights include two engaging new Duke compositions--the blistering opener "Battle Royal" and the impulsive "Wild Man"--and the closing Basie chestnut "Jumpin' at the Woodside," on which the lead tenors Frank Foster and Paul Gonsalves engage in ferocious dueling. Amazingly, there is no toe-stepping amid the rousing interplay. --Marc Greilsamer

Amazon.com

Take the Kansas City-style streamlined swing of Count Basie's band and put it together with the omni-American "total jazz" of the Duke Ellington Orchestra and you've got one memorable session. Recorded in 1961 and reissued with unreleased, rehearsal, and alternate takes, the date has a friendly after-hours feel, with the Ellington crew in the right channel and the Basie band in the left. They both deliver the type of no-nonsense straight-ahead jazz that characterized the best of the big-band sound: Ellington's brisk 4/4 opener "Battle Royal" features some stratospheric blowing by tenor saxophonist Frank Wess and trumpeter Cat Anderson along with a volcanic drum "conversation" between Sam Woodyard and Sonny Payne. The sound of the locomotive drives the midtempo "Corner Pocket," the Basie-associated standard by guitarist Freddie Green, steered by saxophonist Paul Gonsalves's robust tenor sax. "Segue in C" showcases Ellington and Basie's Fats Waller-Willie "the Lion" Smith stride-piano roots, with the former's dark chord clusters and the latter's feathery in-the-pocket phrasing. The ballad "To You" is marked by cascading horn harmonies laced with Ellington trombonist Quentin "Butter" Jackson's pleading muted solo. The Basie-Ellington hits "Jumpin' at the Woodside" and "Take the 'A' Train"--with composer Billy Strayhorn tickling the ivories in place of Basie--bring out the best in Basie, Foster, Gonsalves, and trumpeter Ray Nance, and they trade fours and cap this amazing encounter. --Eugene Holley Jr.

Customer Reviews:

Truely Explosive Music.......2007-04-24

The arrangements in this cd are great, both bands are in top form. The addition of the unreleased tracks is a pure treat, sometimes I think some of the alternate takes should have been the tracks to make it on the original release, for instance Jumpin at the Woodside and the Battle Royal, even though it is not as polished as the one that made it onto the original release i feel it has more energy and excitement. The liner notes are top class and have incredible photos of the two day recording session and insightful information

Two giants shaking hands!.......2006-06-06

This is an emblematic and historical document for hard fans and jazz lovers; the successful encounter of the most pyramidal jazz artist ever born; "The Duke" joining his creative moods with another giant of the genre: Count Bassie.

A collection album.

I got the 8 track version but it still sounds good to me!.......2005-08-11

I don't have the enhanced version of this disc but it still sounds very good to me so I can only imagine what an "enhanced" version would sound like but I can truly say that I enjoyed this disc a great deal. A couple of great bands combining for just one occasion and this was the result. Highly enjoyable and definitely a keeper! If you are a swing fan and don't have this yet in your collection, what are you waiting for? : )

Two Masters At Play On A Highly Enjoyable,Challenging & Rewarding Recording.......2005-06-05

The collaboration of these 2 giants of their trade shine even on the mix of the CD that has Duke's orchestra playing on the right channel with the Count's on the left..what a great re release with bonus tracks and 36 page illustrated booklet...total pleasure from Basie, now with his idol,Duke, playing as his "guest" on this Ellington release..
We have Basie's bluesy voluptuous sound fusing well with Duke's elegant style on mostly numbers spanning popular band selections from both of these musical giants.
These two great orchestras, weaving amazingly smooth and irreconcilable at times works on standouts from both men.
Jamming together in New York in the summer of 1961
this was billed as a historic one time meeting now laid down for posterity.
Phil Schapp the reissue producer did a great job on adding outtakes, different takes.. under his guidance this becomes one great long CD and one that can turn heads in initiating people to music of greatness from these 2 men and their orchestras that is now overlooked some 50 years later.

Smoking music.......2005-04-19

Forget the history, the background, the drama, the analysis, this music smokes. It groves, it burns, it makes you want to dance, and it makes you want to listen, it provides heat, light, and electricity too.


The two bands are smoking. This is the hotest straight ahead head arrangement swing either group played in the period. This is what makes the bands which were otherwise overly arranged and precision units by the time this CD was made, smoke. The production values on these tracks must have been quite low: get the two bands in the studio, get a minimum number of tracks going, find some tunes that are blues based with standard progressions, and let the rhythm sections bounce, let the soloists rip.

Rip, rip rip rip away they do, and it takes a long time of listening to figure out who is who what is what, by that time you dont care. You just want the beat to go on, the bands to keep wailing and you don't care whether it is Count Basie and Duke Ellington, or Frosty the Snowman.

I am not much on the New Testament or Ellington in the 1960s but you need this groove!

Average customer rating: Epitome of Ellington Needs remaster/repackage treatment You Can't Miss Here with Duke Swinging Some Classics! Ellington/Strayhorn/Tchaikovsky's Nutcracker is SWEET! A genius re-imagines genius

Three Suites Manufacturer: Sony ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Ellington | Ellington, Edward Duke | ( E ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General Modern | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Jazz | Styles | Music Swing General | Swing Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music Classic Big Band | Swing Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music Contemporary Big Band | Swing Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music Marches | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music CDs $7 - $10 | Swing Jazz | Jazz | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music All Bargain Titles | Swing Jazz | Jazz | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music 4-for-3 Classical | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music 4-for-3 Jazz | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music 4-for-3 Pop | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music 4-for-3 All Music | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music Classical Music | The Sony BMG Masterworks Store | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music Similar Items: The Harlem Nutcracker New Orleans Suite In the Nutcracker Mood First Time: The Count Meets the Duke Black, Brown and Beige ASIN: B0000027ED Release Date: 1990-09-07

Tracks:

1. The Nutcracker Suite: Overture
2. The Nutcracker Suite: Toot Toot Tootie Toot (Dance Of The Reed-Pipes)
3. The Nutcracker Suite: Peanut Brittle Brigade (March)
4. The Nutcracker Suite: Sugar Rum Cherry (Dance Of The Sugar-Plum Fairy)
5. The Nutcracker Suite: Entr'acte
6. The Nutcracker Suite: The Volga Vouty (Russian Dance)
7. The Nutcracker Suite: Chinoiserie (Chinese Dance)
8. The Nutcracker Suite: Danse Of The Floreadores (Waltz Of The Flowers)
9. The Nutcracker Suite: Arabesque Cookie (Arabian Dance)
10. Peer Gynt Suite Nos 1 And 2: Morning Mood
11. Peer Gynt Suite Nos 1 And 2: In The Hall Of The Mountain King
12. Peer Gynt Suite Nos 1 And 2: Solvejg's Song
13. Peer Gynt Suite Nos 1 And 2: Ase's Death
14. Peer Gynt Suite Nos 1 And 2: Anitra's Dance
15. SuiteThursday: Misfit Blues
16. SuiteThursday: Schwiphti
17. SuiteThursday: Zweet Zurzday
18. SuiteThursday: Lay-By

Customer Reviews:

Epitome of Ellington.......2006-12-22

Three Suites highlights the genius that is Duke Ellington. His music for Jazz Orchestra from the Nutcracker takes the music of Tchaikovsky to a new, modern dimension that will no doubt resonate with many the way the classical ballet music does not. The music for Peer Gynt is all at once subtle, dramatic and at times, haunting. I am not a passionate jazz fan, but Ellington seems to reach beyond to bring even the more wary among us along on the ride. If you don't have any other work by Ellington in your collection, this is a pretty good one to start with.

Needs remaster/repackage treatment.......2005-06-02

First of all, this needs to be remastered the way "Blues In Orbit" and the rest of the new Ellington reissues are being reissued, with DSD transfer. The cover is also very cheep looking. This cd sounds good (although very shrill at some points, like movement three on nutcracker, but needs more spacing between instruments. Second, this will please begginer Ellington fans, more than the expierenced. This is hardly essential, although it has many moments. "Suite-Thursday", to me is the best suite here. I don't listen to Ellington/Strayhorn's work for interperatations, I listen to them for thier brilliant original compositions. "Suite Thursday" is the only orginal work here and therefore takes top priority. "Nutcracker" upon first listened, sounded dissipointing, but I am beginning to come around to the arragements. "Peter Grant Suite" strike me as much better than "Nutcracker". One of the best jazz clarinetist's, Jimmy Hamilton shines throughout the whole thing.

You Can't Miss Here with Duke Swinging Some Classics!.......2005-01-18

The classics were almost standards for the great big bands to perform in their own unique styles. In fact, the Nutcracker has been performed and recorded over many years by many of the great bands. This CD uniquely displays Duke's version, tailoring 2 great classics to his unique, sometimes humorous, renditions for his many gifted instrumentalists, especially the sax men. True, I find parts of the Nutcracker just a tad dissonent at times, but Duke often liked to stretch the limits of his own, and other's compositions. This originality is what makes the Ellington the #top band of them all ,even if it did not always swing like say, Count Basie's, band. The PEER GYNT is at least as good, notably with the band playing the sad parts in a completely unique way! Topped off with their own piece, you can be sure that this CD will be listened to for a long time, even if it does (temporarily, one hopes) go out of print at some future date.

Ellington/Strayhorn/Tchaikovsky's Nutcracker is SWEET!.......2004-03-15

I owned this record (on vinyl) years ago. I bought it because I was/am an Ellington fan and had never heard of Ellington doing a version of Nutcracker Suite. I was blown away when I heard it! It seemed like a jewel in Ellington's repetoire: sheer genius, jumpin' jazz, and a tribute to P. I.Tchaikovsky that does his work very hot justice. Alas, an Evil Ex-Wife made off with my copy and then I had to wonder: Why was such a splendid piece of work so hard to find? I think it was on the Nonesuch label & that might explain it. But I'm Very Glad to have found this CD! Now my Christmases can Cook as in days of yore! Don't pass this up!

A genius re-imagines genius.......2003-12-31

Brilliant, glorious music--all of it, although I agree with those who have come to feel that the Ellington/Strayhorn version of "The Nutcracker Suite," in particular, is an all-too-often-buried treasure that no Christmas season should be without (and if you can ignore it for the rest of the year, you have more willpower than I). What happens to Tchaikovsky's marvellous music--and Grieg's, too--in these hands is creative homage of the highest order: the music is re-imagined from the inside, in wholly jazz terms, in a way that simultaneously illuminates and completely reconceives the original. What Balanchine did for Tchaikovsky and Stravinsky in dance, Ellington here does for Tchaikovsky and Grieg in another realm of music, and leaves us with works that deserve to be every bit as loved and celebrated as their older and better-known prototypes. And to top it all off, you get Ellington and Strayhorn's own superb "Suite Thursday." Listen and rejoice!

Average customer rating: A long underrated and long deleted album/CD

Duke Ellington's Jazz Violin Session Duke Ellington Manufacturer: Wounded Bird Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music General | Jazz | Styles | Music Swing General | Swing Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music Classic Big Band | Swing Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music Contemporary Big Band | Swing Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music General | Classic Rock | Styles | Music Similar Items: Cat on a Hot Fiddle Jazz Violin Summit The Dark Angel of the Fiddle Violin, Sing The Blues For Me: African-American Fiddlers 1926-1949 Time and Again ASIN: B00061XA1E Release Date: 2004-10-12

Tracks:

1. Take the "A" Train
2. In a Sentimental Mood
3. Don't Get Around Much Anymore
4. Day Dream
5. Cotton Tail
6. Pretty Little One
7. Tricky's Licks
8. Blues in C
9. String Along With Strings
10. Limbo Jazz
11. Feeling of Jazz

Customer Reviews:

A long underrated and long deleted album/CD.......2005-09-03

Duke made this recording back in early 1963 in Paris. Atlantic (the original label) didn't see fit to release it until 1977 (3 years after Ellington passed away). Let me tell you, it was one of the recordings that got me hooked on jazz. And to add insult to injury, the CD version didn't come out until 2004; what were record executives thinking? Anyway, it's finally here in CD form and it's great for lots of reasons.

For starters, the instrumentation: 2 violins, viola, piano, bass, drums, and with some brass on the 2nd half. Stephane Grappelli, Ray Nance, both on violin, and Svend Assussen on viola, handle the strings with superb ensemble work, accompaniment, and soloing. These guys prove that violins, violas, even cellos can swing with the best of them when they're in the right hands. It's also interesting to hear how each string player swings and improvises, but with a sound distinctive from the other 2.

Duke is right on tops of things directing the whole show from the piano chair. Ernie Shepperd, the bassist, provides solid bass lines and a wonderful syncronized vocal-bass solo, a la Slam Stewart, on Take the A Train, but he's humming and plucking instead of humming and bowing.

Lastly, there are combination of familiar and more obscure Ellington compositions in this collection. For those of you who know that Ellington is the greatest composer and one of the greatest pianists that America ever had, in any genre, this is an essential or near-essential CD to buy. Like all great jazz, it hasn't dated at all.

Jazz Music:

1. Eddie Gale's Ghetto Music
2. El Conguero
3. El Hombre
4. Elegant Mister Ellington [Live]
5. Espana
6. European Concert [Live]
7. Extra Measure
8. Fiesta Latina: Miami Beach Party [Import]
9. Frame of Mind
10. From My Heart

Jazz Music

jazz music