Play the Blues Back to Back [Original recording remastered]

Johnny Hodges, Duke Ellington | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (July 29, 1997)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Original recording remastered
• Label: Polygram Records
• ASIN: B0000047CU
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (20 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #42,979 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars My Favorite Duke, November 11, 2005

By 

D. Allen "Mr. Mojorisin" (North Texas) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Play the Blues Back to Back (Audio CD)

This is one of my favorite small group jazz CD's. I was pleasantly surprised when I got this, expecting it to be good, but not this good! The companion to this, Side by Side, is of the same caliber but I'd have to give this one the nod. It's from my favorite jazz period (1955-1963) and it's performed by two of my favorite musicians, and the recording is amazing. The sound quality of these discs is the best I've ever heard from this time period, and in my opinion, some of the remastered jazz titles from this era are the finest sounding and best engineered recordings to be found from any era - period. Can you tell I like it?

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Immaculate blues, May 10, 2008

By 

S J Buck (Kent, UK) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Play the Blues Back to Back (Audio CD)

Previous reviewers have already said everything that needs to be said, so I'll keep this short. This is a small group recording with Jo Jones on drums Les Spann on Guitar, Johnny Hodges on Alto Sax and Harry Edison on Trumpet.

None of the tracks are Ellington tunes, which is very unusual. When Ellington plays these tunes they begin to sound like he wrote them. In this case its probably because they are all blues. With a talent as great as Ellington's you quickly put your mark on the music. All the musicians play beautifully. This isn't a wild jam session, so whilst there certainly are sparks they are of a more subtle nature.

If you want to hear more of Ellington's under-rated Piano playing I strongly recommend "Piano in the Foreground" and "Money Jungle". Both of these feature the Dukes Piano in a trio setting (although wildly different).

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars not essential, but glad i have it all the same., August 26, 2007

By 

fluffy, the human being. (forest lake, mn) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Play the Blues Back to Back (Audio CD)

duke ellington and johnny hodges playing the blues in a small group setting. how could you go wrong with this one? you can't. hodges trademark tone is in fine form as ever, and of course mr ellington's piano is sophisticated and fine throughout. while not a mellow album, the mood is loose and laid-back, full of a light easy swing that sits down fine on the ears. there are many essential ellington releases, i would say this is not one of them, so don't start here if you are new to his music; but once you have collected the finest gems in his discography, then by all means pick up a copy of this fine jazz outting.