CD1
1. Take the “A” Train
2. Black and Tan Fantasy/Creole Love Call/The Mooch
3. Harlem Airshaft
4. Tenderly
5. Jeep's Blues
6. On the Sunny Side of the Street
7. C Jam Blues
8. Duke's Place
9. Rockin' in Rhythm
10. Such Sweet Thunder
11. Caravan
12. Newport Up
CD2
1. El Gato
2. Take the “A” Train
3. M. C. Blue
4. V.I.P. Boogie
5. Jam With Sam
6. Stompy Jones
7. Hi Fi Fo Fum
8. Don’t Get Around Much Any More/Do Nothing Till You Hear from Me/Mood indigo/I’m Beginning to See the Light/Sophisticated Lady/ I’ve Got It Bad and That
Ain’t Good/Caravan/Just Squeeze Me/It Don’t Mean a Thing/Satin Doll/Solitude/I Let a Song Go out of My Heart
9. The Hawk Talks
Duke Ellington - Piano
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Cat Anderson, Clark Terry, Shorty Baker – Trumpets
Ray Nance – Trumpet, vocals
Johnny Hodges, Paul Gonsalves, Russell Procope, Jimmy Hamilton, Harry Carney – Reeds
Quentin Jackson, Britt Woodman, John Sanders – Trombones
Jimmy Woode - Bass
Sam Woodyard – Drums
Ozzie Bailey - Vocals
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Even after Duke Ellington died, recordings by his
band have continued to appear, to the delight of his fans. This recording
from 1958 is one such: a double CD capturing an exciting concert with
acceptable sound quality. Some listeners may complain that the programme
includes several reruns of Duke’s “greatest hits”, but these remind
us what a superb songwriter he was, and the royalties from such performances
no doubt helped Ellington to keep his expensive ensemble alive. And
he was not above giving familiar tunes new life, as he does with the
second version of Take the “A” Train, which he lets Ray Nance
perform in Ray’s typically eccentric manner.
There is an old joke about the announcer who said that the Ellington Orchestra would play a tune called “Take a Train”. This is almost duplicated by the
sleeve listing here of a tune called “Take the Train”. This slip-up is unfortunately typical of the careless presentation of the album, where the first
track on the second CD is not listed, there is no personnel listing, and the sleeve-note is poorly edited.
But the music is fine. Even the old favourites are given fresh clothes to make them sound like new. This is typified by the Ray Nance vocal version of Take the A” Train, which segues into a showcase solo from Paul Gonsalves which doubles the tempo halfway through. And Harlem Airshaft is
renewed as a feature for Clark Terry.
Jimmy Hamilton is tender in Tenderly, mostly backed
only by the rhythm section, as the Duke prods him with intriguing
chords. Johnny Hodges exhibits his genius in Jeep’s Blues
and On the Sunny Side of the Street.
Ellington’s shouts of approval suggest that he was enjoying himself – and you will too.
Tony Augarde
www.augardebooks.co.uk
CD Reviews
Sounds of Yester Year DSOY 932
