Track Listing
DISC 1: (1927-1940):
1. Hot and Bothered
2. East St. Louis Toodle-Oo
3. Black and Tan Fantasy
4. Black Beauty
5. Ring Dem Bells
6. Mooche, The
7. It Don't Mean a Thing (If It Ain't Got That Swing)
8. Slippery Horn
9. Saddest Tale
10. Showboat Shuffle
11. In a Sentimental Mood
12. In a Jam
13. Caravan
14. Gal From Joe's, The
15. Braggin' in Brass
16. I Let a Song Go Out of My Heart
17. Battle of Swing
18. Prelude to a Kiss
19. Slap Happy
20. Old King Dooji
21. Portrait of the Lion
22. Country Gal
23. Little Posey
24. Tootin' Through the Roof
25. Sophisticated Lady
DISC 2: (1947-1952):
1. Hy'a Sue
2. Lady of the Lavender Mist
3. Antidisestablishmentarianismist
4. Golden Cress
5. Sultry Serenade
6. Maybe Should I Change My Ways
7. Stomp, Look & Listen
8. On a Turquoise Cloud
9. Three Cent Stamp
10. Don't Get Around Much Anymore
11. Progressive Gavotte
12. I Can't Believe That You're in Love With Me
13. I Like the Sunrise
14. Snibor
15. Creole Love Call
16. Tattooed Bride, The
17. Brown Betty
18. Primpin' For the Prom
19. Monologue (Pretty & The Wolf)
20. Take the "A" Train
DISC 3: (1956-1961):
1. Jeep's Blues
2. Solitude
3. Blue Rose
4. Star-Crossed Lovers, The
5. Mood Indigo
6. Dancers in Love
7. Come Sunday
8. Satin Doll
9. Flirtibird
10. Perdido
11. C Jam Blues
12. Things Ain't What They Used to Be
13. Happy Go Lucky Local
14. Something to Live For
15. Creole Blues
16. Dance of the Floreadores
17. Lotus Blossom
18. Midnight in Paris, A
19. Asphalt Jungle
20. Battle Royale
21. Duke Loves Us Madly, The - (spoken)
| Details | | Contributing Artists: | Ben Webster, Jimmy Blanton, Johnny Hodges, Louie Bellson, Mahalia Jackson, Oscar Pettiford, Paul Gonsalves, Rosemary Clooney | | Producer: | Henri Renaud (Compilation) | | Distributor: | Sony Music Distribution ( | | Recording Type: | Studio | | Recording Mode: | Stereo | | SPAR Code: | n/a |
Album Notes
THE DUKE is a compilation of material recorded for Columbia, OKeh and the American Recording Company labels, from 1927-1940, 1947-1952 and 1956-1962.
Personnel include: Duke Ellington (piano); Ivie Anderson, Kay Davis, Al Hibbler, Mahalia Jackson, Rosemary Clooney, Baby Cox, Betty Roche (vocals); Ray Nance (violin, trumpet); Harry Carney, Jimmy Hamilton, Johnny Hodges, Al Sears, Otto Hardwick, Paul Gonsalves, Russell Procope, Ben Webster (reeds); Clark Terry, Cootie Williams, Jabbo Smith, Rex Stewart, Shorty Baker, Louis Metcalf, Bubber Miley, Cat Anderson (trumpet); Juan Tizol, Lawrence Brown , Quentin Jackson, Tricky Sam Nanton, Tyree Glenn, Johnny Sanders, Brit Woodman (trombone); Billy Strayhorn (piano); Aaron Bell , Jimmy Blanton, Jimmy Woode, Oscar Pettiford, Wellman Braud, Wendell Marshall (double bass); Louie Bellson, Sam Woodyard, Sonny Greer (drums).
Liner Note Author: Robert G. O'Meally.
Recording information: 1927 - 1962.
Duke Ellington was a great bandleader, a fine if underrated pianist (an influence on Thelonious Monk and Cecil Taylor), a prolific songwriter, and a superlative arranger, writing specifically to his musicians' strengths, and achieving unique instrumental voicings and textures. He constantly rearranged many compositions, so that, for instance, "Mood Indigo," would differ tremendously in its 1935, 1950 and 1970 incarnations. In consequence, Ellington's was one of the few big bands to survive the Big Band era (the early '30s through the late '40s) while retaining a genuine creative spirit.
THE DUKE is a superb overview of Duke Ellington's sporadic residence at Columbia Records, capturing his music at many of its peaks. There's the madly upbeat Lindy-Hop swing of "Slap Happy," and the mellow, luxurious "In a Sentimental Mood" of the 1930's. The '50s begets the sweet jazz-pop of his collaboration with Rosemary Clooney, and soundtrack music (ANATOMY OF A MURDER), while in the '60s, Ellington, with his right-hand man Billy Strayhorn, tackled a re-casting of Tchaikovsky's "Nutcracker Suite," and a madly swinging face-off with Count Basie's big band. Though it's not definitive (few Ellington compilations could be), this fine set more than lives up to its title.
Editorial Reviews
...represents 3 major periods during which Ellington recorded for Columbia records, effectively chronicling the musical evolution of the composer and his incomparable orchestra....Here is the Duke's essence - elegant and playful, familiar and evocative...
Vibe (03/01/2000)
...This is an essential collection and a fabulous primer for the curious.
CMJ (03/27/2000)
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