Unknown Session [Import]

Duke Ellington | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (April 17, 2001)
• Original Release Date: 2009
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Import
• Label: Sbme Import
• ASIN: B0000277HY
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Vinyl
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #337,482 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Everything But You

2. Black Beauty

3. All Too Soon

4. Something to Live For

5. Mood Indigo

6. Creole Blues [Excerpt from Creole Rhapsody]

7. Don't You Know I Care (Or Don't You Care to Know)

8. A Flower Is a Lovesome Thing

9. Mighty Like the Blues

10. Tonight I Shall Sleep (With a Smile on My Face)

11. Dual Highway

12. Blues

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One Of Ellington's best records. VERY underrated., July 25, 2000

By 

MG Nagy - See all my reviews

This review is from: Unknown Session (Audio CD)

The session was recorded in Hollywood on 14 July, 1960, with Ray Nance, Lawrence Brown, Johhny Hodges, Harry Carney, Aaron Bell, and Sam Woodyard.

Track list: Everything But You, Black Beauty, All Too Soon, Something To Live For, Mood Indigo, Creole Blues, Don't You Know I Care, Mighty Like The Blues, Tonight I Shall Sleep, Dual Highway, Blues. <TT 39:06>

I don't know why, but Columbia (now Sony) didn't see fit to release this recording until 1979. This record is in a lot of ways like the Indigo record, only with a much smaller band. The booklet doesn't offer much explanation on the session, but gives great details on the background of the individual songs.

This record is very relaxed, making it a great late nite (or Sunday morning) record. Some of the arrangements are quite different, with "Creole Blues" being a duet between Ellington (piano) and Brown (trombone). This version of "Everything But You" is an instrumental (as is the whole record).

I can't understand why this record sat for so long. The arrangments and performances are great, with "Dual Highway" absolutely swingin' big. The quality of the recording isn't perfect (there is some distortion on particular solos due to mic placement) but in no way detracts from the listening experience. The levels are fine, and no one gets lost, even on the muted solos.

I have about a dozen Ellington records in my collection, and I've heard a few dozen more. This is the one I take out and play again and again on a regular basis. I don't know if it's his best (I think it's up there), but it certainly is my favorite.

For some reason, Sony has never seen fit to release this record in the US on CD, despite the big rollout and revamp they did for his 100th birthday. Sony needs to do an SACD release of this record. Right now, while you are reading this. Really.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Absolutely timeless, September 3, 2009

By 

William Dodd (Castle Rock, WA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Unknown Session (Audio CD)

I got this originally as a review LP in the late 70's when I was programming a San Diego radio station. Ellington's music is so timeless. And this set, with its small combo is incredible. There is a slight harshness occasionally, but it is beyond proof not only an example of this genius's music, but simply as great music that should be enjoyed by many. In spite of my career, most of my at home listening is Classical-- yet this album stands with the greatest. Absolutely amazing!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Near Classic, February 21, 2008

By 

Dave W. "Dave W." (Cincinnati, OH) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Unknown Session (Audio CD)

This small group session from 1962 has several tunes that are among my favorite Ellinton songs, including Everything But You, Black Beauty, and Mood Indigo. Ellington's intro on Black Beauty is worth the price of admission itself, and Lawrence Brown and Johnny Hodges are at their peak on this CD. A must for Ellington fans.