![Such Sweet Thunder]({"https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51vkYBxd89L._SX466_.jpg":[466,466],"https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51vkYBxd89L._SX425_.jpg":[425,425],"https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51vkYBxd89L.jpg":[500,500],"https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51vkYBxd89L._SY355_.jpg":[355,355],"https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51vkYBxd89L._SY450_.jpg":[450,450]})
I got this disc several weeks ago and have listened to it many times since then. It is genuinely great (at least in my book), and I'm writing this review because an album this good deserves to have an abundance of 5 stars reviews.
Let me start with a brief overview of what's on the disc. Such Sweet Thunder is a 12-part suite that Ellington co-wrote with long-time collaborator Billy Strayhorn. Ellington and his Orchestra premiered the work in April 1957. The disc includes not only the the suite in it's entirety (about 35 minutes of music), but 10 bonus tracks that are a mix of alternate takes and other music from (I gather) around the same time. Duke really does have an orchestra here: the ensemble is 15 musicians in total, including Duke on the piano.
The music is just wonderful. Ellington, Strayhorn, and Orchestra really put everything they've got on display. "Such Sweet Thunder" is sly and ominous, "Lady Cinq" is a swinging, dancey tune, "Star Crossed Lovers" is melancholy (and beautiful), "Circle of Fourths" is driving and brassy. Every part of the orchestra gets a feature part, and Duke and Strayhon blend instruments to get great color and mood. I'm a big fan of classical music, and I think many of the best orchestrators (Ravel, Tchaikovsky, etc) would be jealous of what Ellington & Co. accomplish in this music--there is a tremendous range of colors, harmonies, melodies and emotions.
The bonus tracks are pretty good, as well. I particularly like "Cafe au Lait," a bouncy tune reminiscent of earlier (pre-WWII) big band music. On the whole, the sound quality is good. Although most tracks are in mono (the liner notes explain that an attempt at recording in stereo didn't turn out well), the sound is crisp with each of the sections (piano, drums, winds, etc) clear and balanced against other parts of the orchestra.
Overall, I think this is a must have for any music lover. Ellington is one of the greatest artists of the 20th century and this album shows him and his Orchestra (and Strayhon) at the peak of their powers.
- Audio CD (February 5, 2008)
- Original Release Date: February 5, 2008
- Number of Discs: 1
- Label: SBME SPECIAL MKTS.
- Run Time: 76 minutes
- ASIN: B0012GMZMC
- Average Customer Review: 24 customer reviews
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Amazon Best Sellers Rank:
#117,335 in CDs & Vinyl (See Top 100 in CDs & Vinyl)
- #545 in Contemporary Big Band
- #585 in Classic Big Band
- #49658 in Rock (CDs & Vinyl)
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