Duke Ellington Albums (56)
'Duke Ellington Christmas'
Release Date 7/25/2006
Tracks 10
Label Laserlight
See Album Tracklist and Review
'At the Rainbow Grill 1967'
Release Date 1/1/2006
Tracks 13
Label Gambit
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What The Critics Say
On a few occasions during his career, Duke Ellington temporarily appeared in a club setting with a downsized band. This live recording made at the Rainbow Room in New York City ranges from solo piano to an octet, with individual soloists sometimes featured with just the rhythm section. Trumpeter Cat Anderson, alto saxophonist Johnny Hodges, tenor saxophonist Paul Gonsalves, baritone saxophonist Harry Carney and trombonist Lawrence Brown are on hand, with Ellington taking a lot more solos than during a typical big-band date, highlighted by his extended workout in "Azure." This set is dominated by favorites from his vast catalog, though he works in newer material, including "Heaven" (heard as a piano solo in a medley with "Le Sucrier Velours"), the bland, rock-ish "Rock the Clock" and "Acht O'Clock Rock," the latter showcasing Anderson. The more familiar material is far more impressive, with Carney excelling in "Sophisticated Lady" and Hodges in a dramatic setting of "Passion Flower." The sound is erratic, with occasional jumps in the recording levels and a few dropouts, but the opportunity to hear Duke Ellington in a live, small group setting makes up for any audio shortcomings. ~ Ken DrydenĂo, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
A slightly more commercial effort than many previous Duke Ellington recordings, Ellington '65 is an example of how the change in popular music found jazz musicians attempting crossover material with varying degrees of success. While much of the music here is standard American Popular Song, other tracks such as Bob Dylan's "Blowin' in the Wind" are clearly attempts at reaching a younger record-buying audience. While Ellington '65 isn't a bad recording, it is by no means required listening and will most likely appeal to die-hard Ellington completists. ~ Matt Collar, All Music Guide
'The Duke Ellington Plays Mary Poppins'
Release Date 3/15/2005
Tracks 12
Label Collectables
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What The Critics Say
This disc is a surprising success. Duke Ellington was somehow persuaded into revising and recording a dozen songs from the score of Walt Disney's Mary Poppins, and the results are actually quite memorable. With such soloists as altoist Johnny Hodges, baritonist Harry Carney, trumpeter Cootie Williams, tenor saxophonist Paul Gonsalves, clarinetist Jimmy Hamilton, and trombonist Lawrence Brown getting their spots, Duke Ellington & His Orchestra turn such songs as "A Spoonful of Sugar," "Chim Chim Cheree" (a much happier version than John Coltrane's), "The Life I Lead," and even "Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious" into swinging jazz. ~ Scott Yanow, All Music Guide
'At the Hurricane 1943'
Release Date 4/8/2003
Tracks 22
Label Storyville
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What The Critics Say
Duke Ellington was stuck with a recording ban during 1943, and regular bookings to maintain his big band were getting more difficult to put together. So the bandleader accepted an extended gig at the Hurricane in New York City, often broadcasting three to four times a week in half-hour segments. This CD compiles two complete programs, and nearly all of a third. Although these shows have the added distraction of an announcer who talks over the introduction to most of the songs, the sound quality is excellent, with great balance and little in the way of distracting surface noise that comes from worn transcription discs. In addition to the expected favorites ("Don't Get Around Much Anymore," "Johnny Come Lately" and "Take the "A" Train"), Ellington explores lesser-known pieces by Cole Porter ("Could It Be You?") and Walter Donaldson ("Nevada"), as well as trying out fairly new works of his own, including "Goin' Up" (also known as "Floorshow") and the world premiere of "Tonight I Shall Sleep (With a Smile on My Face)." With thousands of other Ellington releases available on the market, it's tough to call this CD essential, but serious fans of Ellington will want to pick it up. ~ Ken Dryden, All Music Guide
'First Time: The Count Meets The Duke'
Release Date 8/5/2002
Tracks 16
Label Sony
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What The Critics Say
Anyone who sees this recording by Duke Ellington will identify it immediately as a bootleg due to its cheap, one-sided paper cover and lack of an identifiable label. The impression given from its title is that the record is from a single performance; actually, it was taken from two or more live recordings made without Ellington's knowledge during an extended period in the spring and summer of 1968 when the pianist led an octet at the Rainbow Grill in New York City. There are several audible conversations going on as the composer opens a set with his reflective ballad "Meditation," which adds bassist Jeff Castleman. Harry Carney, Johnny Hodges, Paul Gonsalves, and Cat Anderson (in a great muted solo on "Take the 'A' Train") who are featured throughout the remaining selections, including an unusually long "Satin Doll" and the extremely obscure "Contrapuntal Riposte," the latter which has yet to appear on any other release (commercial or bootleg). Forgettable vocals by Trish Turner (on the infrequently recorded "Me and You") and Tony Watkins (who joins her for "It Don't Mean a Thing") are the only musical letdowns, though the questionable condition of the piano also proves to be a bit frustrating. Because of the relative rarity of live octet recording by Duke Ellington, die-hard fans will want to track down this somewhat difficult to find bootleg. ~ Ken Dryden, All Music Guide
'Live in the Big Apple'
Release Date 11/14/2000
Tracks 12
Label Magnum Collectors
See Album Tracklist and Review
'Live in 1947 at the Hollywood Bowl'
Release Date 10/10/2000
Tracks 14
Label Unique Jazz
See Album Tracklist and Review
