Duke Ellington and His Orchestra, Vol. 1: 1943

by Duke Ellington, Duke Ellington & His Orchestra

Overview

In the 1980s, the release of Duke Ellington's complete transcriptions for World Broadcasting was a major addition to his already sizable catalog. The songs on this compilation include everything recorded on November 8, 1943, with two takes from the next day's session. The fidelity is outstanding, as Circle was able to utilize the original glass masters, resulting in sound that exceeds many of Ellington's commercial recordings of the era. That said, the presence of numerous incomplete takes and false starts makes it difficult to listen to the complete CD all the way through. Highlights of this first volume include "Rockin' in Rhythm" (spotlighting trombonist Tricky Sam Nanton); Rex Stewart's cornet in his special feature, "Boy Meets Horn"; Johnny Hodges' lush alto sax in "Sentimental Lady" (also known later as "I Didn't Know About You"); and "Blue Skies" (also known under the title "Trumpet No End"), Mary Lou Williams' arrangement of Irving Berlin's landmark piece. Dizzy Gillespie is a special guest, taking the place of Ray Nance and Shorty Baker on the initial session. This is an essential purchase for Ellington fans. ~ Ken Dryden

Product Details

Release Date:	12/01/1995
Label:	Circle
UPC:	0762247410126
Rank:	114799

Tracks

1. Rockin' in Rhythm
2. Rockin' in Rhythm
3. Rockin' in Rhythm
4. Rockin' in Rhythm
5. Blue Skies
6. Blue Skies
7. Boy Meets Horn
8. Boy Meets Horn
9. Do Nothin' Till You Hear from Me
10. Do Nothin' Till You Hear from Me
11. Do Nothin' Till You Hear from Me
12. Summertime
13. Summertime
14. Sentimental Lady (aka Home)
15. Sentimental Lady (aka Home)
16. Tea for Two
17. Tea for Two
18. C Jam Blues
19. Hop, Skip and Jump
20. Blue Skies
21. Blue Skies
22. Mood Indigo
23. Mood Indigo
24. Main Stem
25. Main Stem

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Duke Ellington & His Orchestra   Primary Artist
Duke Ellington   Primary Artist,Piano
Taft Jordan   Trumpet
Rex Stewart   Cornet
Harry Carney   Bars,Reeds
Sonny Greer   Drums
Fred Guy   Guitar
Dizzy Gillespie   Trumpet
Juan Tizol   Trombone
Jimmy Hamilton   Reeds,Clarinet,Sax (Tenor)
Wallace Jones   Trumpet
Ray Nance   Vocals,Trumpet
Otto Hardwick   Reeds,Sax (Alto)
Johnny Hodges   Reeds,Sax (Alto)
Al Hibbler   Vocals
Betty Roche   Vocals
Elbert Williams   Reeds,Sax (Tenor)
Lawrence Brown   Trombone

Technical Credits

Rex Stewart   Composer
Bob Russell   Composer
Irving Mills   Composer
Irving Berlin   Composer
Duke Ellington   Composer
Jack Towers   Remastering
Frank Driggs   Cover Photo
George Gershwin   Composer
Ira Gershwin   Composer
DuBose Heyward   Composer
Vincent Youmans   Composer
Irving Caesar   Composer
Harry Carney   Composer
George H. Buck, Jr.   Producer
Reg Stagmaier   Art Direction
Wendell Echols   Production Coordination
Parker Dinkins   Digital Mastering
Bill Thompson   Cover Photo
Eddie Lambert   Mastering
Barney Bigard   Composer