Customer Reviews

The Best of the Complete RCA Victor Mid-Forties Recordings

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This disc was taken from the 3CD set, "The Complete RCA Victor Mid-Forties Recordings," which was taken from the larger 24CD box set, "Centennial: The Complete RCA Victor Recordings." Thus, it has the same great remastered sound, utilizing the absolute best sources (this time around, they spent the time, money, and effort to secure top-notch sources) as well as state-of-the-art transfer technology and some very sparse noise reduction.

However, this disc is a major disappointment in terms of selection. Ellington's mid-forties recordings were very, very good, often great, but it was inconsistent enough to merit a single disc distillation, one that could've been very impressive had it taken the absolute best material of this period. Unfortunately, this disc fails on that level, selecting some weak recordings (such as a "Solitude," one of ten reinterpretations Ellington recorded in this period, and the only major disappointment of all ten) and omitting essential ones (only two of four selections from "Black, Brown & Beige" are included, a terrible omission indeed since those four studio recordings are the most desirable tracks from this period).

It's also strange how such tracks as "Frankie & Johnny," "Dancers In Love," "Midriff," and "Black Beauty," all great tracks, would be heaped with so much praise in the liner notes to "The Complete RCA Victor Mid-Forties Recordings," yet they're not included here. Space wouldn't be the issue, as there's certainly enough room left for at least four more tracks. Besides, why include such uninspired work as "Don't You Know I Care" when you have something like "Work Song" available?

I would recommend this for people on a severe budget; in the age of CD recording, this need to buy this disc is minimal. If you're a huge fan of Ellington, pick up either of the larger sets, depending on your budget. You'll be much more satisfied.

Don't buy this Cd. Complete RCA - Victor Mid - forties recordings (1944 -1946) is better way.
Where are songs like Midriff or Work Song?
In my opinion this is not real best of. There are better songs on Complete Mid - forties 3cd box.