Ella at Duke's Place [Original recording remastered]

Duke Ellington, Ella Fitzgerald | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (February 27, 1996)
• Original Release Date: 1965
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Original recording remastered
• Label: Polygram Records
• ASIN: B000004718
• Also Available in: Audio Cassette  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #26,445 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The ultimate vocal album by Duke's orchestra, March 3, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Ella at Duke's Place (Audio CD)

This is certainly the best studio recording by Duke's band accompanying a singer. Compared to the collaborations with Rosemary Clooney, Frank Sinatra or Ella herself in the Songbook series, the band sounds well-rehearsed. The arrangements are fresh and beautifully supportive, the selection of Ellington/Strayhorn songs is unique and I wish that more of Duke's lesser-known songs would get such an ideal treatment. The Ellington formation remains unequalled, but the great Ella makes each tune her own and lays proof to the fact that a)Duke was one of the best song-writers and that b)his compositions stand on their own. This is an essential Ella album!

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Another Pinnacle, February 2, 2007

By 

Samuel Chell (Kenosha,, WI United States) - See all my reviews
(TOP 100 REVIEWER)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Ella at Duke's Place (Audio CD)

Before hearing this summit meeting, I was prepared to call "Blue Rose" (see review) one of Duke's 3-4 greatest albums and certainly the most underrated. My 40-year-long ignorance about this consummate encounter between Duke and Ella tells me "Blue Rose" has competition in the underrated category.

This is Ellington at full strength (before the loss of Johnny Hodges) and Ella, too (before some of the wavering vibrato of the 1970s). Above all, it's a session that captures every delicate shade and hue of the exquisitely beautiful, albeit often challenging, music of Billy Strayhorn. There's no fooling around during this session, no jam session looseness, no programming to meet general consumer approval (starting the session with "Something to Live For" and "A Flower Is a Lovesome Thing" is in itself indicative of the seriousness of this project).

As respectful as this date is, there are fine moments by some of the Ellington stars--Hodges, Gonsalves, Cootie, Jimmy Hamilton, even Duke's piano. And to the usual brain trust of Duke and Stray, add the arranging talents of the wonderful Jimmy Jones (accompanist for Sarah, then Nancy Wilson). Ellingtonphiles will appreciate the inimitable orchestral colors and textures along with the absence of haste and sloppiness while at the same time discovering a more "personal" Ellington and Ella than on the 50s Songbook.

Anyone new to the pair might wish to save this one for later and start instead with the Duke-Ella Cote d'Azure date, where there's more scattin' and jammin'. And if you want to hear Ella singing the greatest C-Jam Blues/Duke's Place (the titles are always used interchangeably) of all time, there's only one recording worth considering: "Bluella."

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent, March 25, 2004

By 

"garfieldguy" (Matthews, NC United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Ella at Duke's Place (Audio CD)

Despite the fact that this is not one of Ella or Duke's best known albums, it is defintely one of the best. Ella was at perhaps her absoltue peak vocally when this was recorded in 1965, and I doubt that there is a living vocalist who could re-create many moments in the album. But it's not just about a wonderful voice; Ella puts a lot of soul and feeling into these songs. Her "Something to Live For" is so poignant that it is impossible to listen to it without being moved. The two "Flower" songs are excellent, expoliting her rich lower register to create intense longing and desire. "Sunrise" is again touching, the First Lady sings it with just the right blend of sadness and hope for a better day. "Azure" is awesome, especially after the full band drops out, leaving just Ella and Duke on piano to noodle around. "Frustration" is fun, with Ella wailing her heart out. "Duke's Place" is a also great, showing that Duke and Ella could do wonders with just two notes. "Brown Skin Gal in the Calico Gown" starts out as a soft, yearning ballad, and then becomes a flag-waving swinger. "What Am I Here For?" is sung by Ella with her tongue-in-cheek, like "How dare you leave me alone with nothing to look forward to?!" ;-) And finally, the closing "Cottontail" is unforgettable; it is truly one of the greatest vocal improvisations preserved on record.

Well, that's about it. Can you tell I liked this CD? :-P