Customer Reviews

Live In Swing City- Swingin' With Duke

5 star:		(14)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Wynton Marsalis and his Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra have made a big impact on how younger audiences appreciate the jazz of yesteryear. In particular, Marsalis and his partners have focused their considerable talents on the music of Duke Ellington.

Ellington, whose music is more like a symphony than many "serious" composers can claim, has never had his music appreciated for its real importance. Elllington's works, many serious and others playful, are never without a message. They represent some of the greatest jazz works ever scored and the pinnacle of the big band tradition.

The LCJO tackles a wide variety of Ellington tunes on this disc, focusing on the element of dance in the jazz tradition. The LCJO swings through some of the jumping-est Ellington tunes out there with a polish rarely seen.

Recorded live while dancers danced the night away, there is a tremendous energy that weaves through all the tunes. You can hear the players urging each other on and the shouts of appreciation/acclamation from the dancers. Though there is some sloppiness in a couple ensemble licks, the listener can tell it was more a result of the "let it all hang out" attitude at the gig.

Letting it all hang out comes naturally for the LCJO, comprised of some of the finest jazz players today. Particularly refreshing is the dead on lead trumpet playing of Seneca Black and the down-n-dirty soul of Wycliffe Gordon's trombone.

Check out the hip vocals on "Blip Blip" and imagine what it must've been like to hear the original Ellington band, back when they were the hottest thing going on.

You almost always know you're in trouble when a reviewer says "If you only own one, make this it"--but here goes anyway.

If you only own one swing album, this is the one you want.

Not that I'm an expert, mind you. Not that I have the background to make such an audacious statement. Not even that I've seen Ken Burns' JAZZ all the way through.

But this CD is really, really good. Put it in and you'll be instantly taken away from your troubles. It sinks its grabs you by the funny bone and immediately forces you into I-Don't-Have-A-Stinkin'-Job mode. Seriously. You'll forget EVERYTHING but this music and the way it makes you feel.

Other reviewers have pointed to "Harlem Air Shaft" and "Cottontail" as, if you will, the most academically important tracks for understanding Duke Ellington. But I'm no jazz scholar. For me, the fun of the album is what shines through, and there are no better exemplars of that well-orchestrated whimsy than "Portrait of Louis Armstrong", "Black and Tan Fantasy", "C Jam Blues" and the magnificent "Bli Blip". Once you hear Dianne Reeves sing with the boys, you'll have her stuck in your brain for days.

Trust me, this is one album you NEED to help you get out of the mood to work.

I heard the LCJO live on April 16th in Chicago's Symphony Center and they played a show that had Ellington of all era's from "Black and Tan Fantasy" to the later day works from Afro-Basso Suite. This CD captures the live spirit that the Ellington performances were noted for as well as the new invigorating spirit that the LCJO brings to Ellington and Strays music. The LCJO transformed the classical music center in Chicago to the swinging feel of the Blue Note and Mr.Kelley's all rolled into one swinging Symphony Center. Put on the CD pour yourself a cocktail and enjoy the magical Ellington ride via Wynton and the dynamic LCJO.

The lincoln center Jazz Orchestra has gotten a lot of attention recently and rightly so. Listening to them will bring a smile to your face. The energy level of this CD is amazing, the performances are breathtaking. I've been listening to it for a few years now, and just love it. My kids (2 & 4) love to dance to it too! If you get a chance to see them live, don't miss it, regardless you must own this CD.

Hey, do you remember the opening SOUNDS you heard while watching "The Cotton Club" movie? Remember during the credits how the opening song mushroomed into such a realistic jazz-listening experience?

WELL, that's WHAT YOU GET WITH THIS ALBUM. This is simply one of the most best performed, classic-jazz sound LIVE "encounters" that you can experience. With EVERY SONG, you just don't want them to ever end! And the solos are amazing, especially Wynton and his fellow trumpet players! Then there are the sax solos, the piano solos... well, I rate it all a 10!

The audio fidelity is super clean, with a very realistic live ambience. I'll often listen to this CD on "whole disc repeat" -- and will never tire of it. With a few exceptions most of the songs running time is between 3 to 4 minutes, yet you really wished they lasted much, much longer - it's just such awesome JAZZ!

It is THIS live album that I ask my friends to hear, and (with all respect as to race) this CD is proof that Negro (African-American) musicians are unequaled in the talent of writing and performing American jazz! I also recommend the live performances by the Duke himself.

I bought this CD three years ago, looking for music by the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra (I had just discovered them then). What a great first choice!! The group (headed by Wynton Marsalis) truly captured, in this writer's humble opinion, the spirit of the music of one of the truly great American composers. The Duke would be happy and pleased to sit in with this bunch of top-flight cats!

If you are truly in love with the music of Duke Ellington as I am, don't hesitate to buy this CD.

Duke lives!

I have owned this cd for about 3 years. This was one of the first jazz cd's I purchased. I still listen to it, I love it. Great examples of "call & Response."

A few months ago I saw the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis at concert in my home town. Afterwards I imediatly bought this CD. This is a great CD. One that complements Duke Ellington and this group, a group who plays nothing other than his original music, very nicely.

Just awesome, these guys are super tight! Amazing what happens when you put a group of real musicians together.

This project almost made me purchase every swing project ever recorded. Wynton and LCJO does the "Duke" very proud!!!