Customer Reviews

Digital Duke [Ellington]

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

 

 

True, this was recorded after Duke passed, but it is still a great recording. Although I like the entire CD, I'd buy it just to listen to "Do Nothin' Till You Hear From Me." This is an all around classic take on a classic song. Barry Lee Hall (who has been a member of the Elligton Orchestra since before Duke passed) and Clark Terry play this together and it is absolutely unbelievable. It was actually used in the movie "The Famous Baker Brothers." Take it from a jazz trumpeter, this is a great recording worthy every jazz lover's CD rack.

I have actually had this CD for almost 20 years, and occasionally I would give it a spin, but frankly there is something about the sound of this music, the way that it is recorded, that grates and irritates, so although it has many of Duke Ellington's best numbers on it, something is definitely missing. Then recently I got the album Masterpieces by Ellington, which you can also get here, which is the real Duke in hi-fi from the 50's, and the difference is stunning. If you listen to both albums and still prefer this one, then so be it, but it is like night and day.

While taking a jazz appreciation class in college, I went out and bought this CD. That was 3 years ago, and I have enjoy the music of this CD ever since. The energy in the music is completely infectious.

Great renditions of Duke's classics. The soloing is unbelievable. The songs are played so professionally, and with so much emotion. Great introduction to the music of Duke Ellington.

To clear any confusion, this is NOT a digitally remastered collection of original Duke Ellington analogs. Rather, it is Mercer Ellinton conducting the new Duke Ellington Orchestra, with new musicians and arrangements. It lacks the feel/atmosphere of the original Duke Ellington recordings from the 30's-50's, not to mention that some songs are just BLAND. I can't stand the Branford Marsalis version of "Take the 'A' Train" on this album (what used to be a swingin', roarin' Train is now a schlumpy, elevator-muzak Train). Not a bad album if you don't mind them slapping Duke's name on something that's NOT DUKE!!