Customer Reviews

Duke Ellington: A Listener's Guide (Studies in Jazz)

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This book has been by far the most helpful guide for me in coming to know the music of Duke Ellington. Lambert didn't spend much time on Duke's personal life, talking about the man only when it was needed to explain the music. Not that there aren't some good insights into this fascinating individual here. But some readers may miss the swarm of anecdotes found in most works on Ellington.
Lambert follows Duke's work chronologically, alternating chapters which closely describe specific recordings with chapters discussing the development of the band more generally. The arrangement is very consistent, making it easy to find particulars on recordings, band members, etc. with a minimum of flipping about. The index is not always as useful as it should be, though.
The appendices give a good overview of the recorded Ellington in the pre-CD era.

This is just about the most detailed revue of the main recording by Duke Ellington and his orch. the wealth of detail is staggering,the book is a work of both love and great beauty, so that all generations to come should understand the true jazz core of DUKE ELLINGTONS MUSIC.

I was more than impressed with the scholarship and knowledge put forth in this wonderful book on Duke Ellington. If you want to know more than just casual knowledge about Duke's recordings and his orchestra, then this is the book for you. Outstanding.