Customer Reviews

The Best Of The Duke Ellington Centennial Edition

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

As soon as BMG breaks up the $400 24-CD Centennial set that is highlighted in this collection, I'm making a beeline for the early Ellington. Between tracks #10 and #11 there is a notable degradation in sound quality (although no track in this collection has the bad sound of, say, "The Okeh Ellington"). Turning to the liner notes reveals that #1-#10 were digitally restored by Steven Lasker using CEDAR. These are the years 1927-1942. Hearing the 1932 Ellington band in true stereo on #4 is a revelation (they made two simultaneous recordings from two mics as an experiment). Oh, if they had only done this on all recordings of the period, for that future day when technology could utilize the second tracks. I'm looking for music to play for Swing dances, and from this collection, #3, 6, 8, 10 and 12 are suitable. Let's hope BMG issues the 24 CDs separately to allow people access to their favorite Ellington periods.

I'm a youngish guy and the trouble I have with a lot of "my dad's music" is that it seems like you had to be there. A great artist's style is copied and used so often that when, decades later, you go back to the source, you're not hearing anything revolutionary -- the thing that made the original artist great in the first place. That's doesn't seem to be the case with this CD. This CD seems really "alive" to me. The music bursts from the speakers and jumps all around you. I can still hear the passion and brilliance in this music that I often find missing from other supposedly "great" performers of a bygone era. I'm very impressed with this record.

Duke Ellington's life and music is vital. A box set was issued years ago, and it was titled 'The Complete RCA Victor Recordings: The Centennial Editon.' It's very pricy, often ranging in the $500 range. So RCA was smart enough to issue this "best of the box" single disc CD, which is a sampler and is designed for people (I'm definitely included) who want to hear some of the box, but definitely don't want to empty their wallets to get it.

And this serves it's purpose very well. 'Take The A Train,' 'Raincheck' and 'Sophisticated Lady' are all here, and these are vital parts of Sir Duke's career.

And, RCA gets extra points for remastering this. The sound quality is superb!

Overall, the Ellington fan that doesn't need or want to buy the box set should definitely get this. Highly recommended for any Ellington fan.

A must own. ENJOY!!!

For staters I'm a casual jazz fan. This is a great album to put on and listen to some Duke. All the tracks are solid. I've listened to it start to finish a few times now, and that's rare for me with an album.

If you love the Duke's music, but can't afford the 20-some disk centennial edition boxed set, this disk will tide you over until you can. It is a wonderful sampling of his music, spanning his entire career. If you like jazz, you'll like this disk.

Once agin the duke is at it again Exercising some of music's most eloquent styles. He is (and will for a long time be) one of music's most profound practicioners...

Any Piece Of Duke Ellington's Music is History.This Disc Is Fantastic as Much Of Sir Duke's Music Usually is.THough THe Multi-Set Costs an Arm&A Leg this is a Good Introduction into the World Of One of Musics Greatest Minds&CREATIONS.His Arrangements&Groups Are as Legendary as His Piano&Composing Skills.Genius all the way Around.