Ellington '55 - Duke Ellington

Advantages: Superb playing and well-written music, cliche free
Disadvantages: Nothing

...I've been reluctant to write about this CD, since I generally can't string together two words about it. However, it is hands down my favourite Duke Ellington CD, so I thought I'd share my thoughts with you all! 'Such Sweet Thunder' is dedicated to the Stratford, Ontario Shakespearean Festival, and all the pieces are based on Shakepeare characters or sonnets. This has absolutely no reflection in the music though, so it's best just to sit back and enjoy the ride. Track Listing (HUGE, bear with me) 1. Such Sweet Thunder, 2. Sonnet for Caesar, 3. Sonnet to Hank Cinq, 4. Lady Mac, 5. Sonnet in Search of a Moor, 6. The Telecasters, 7. Up And Down, 8. Sonnet for Sister Kate, 9. The Star-Crossed Lovers, 10. Madness in Great Ones, 11. Half the Fun, 12. Circle of Fourths, BONUS TRACKS: 13. The Star-Crossed Lovers, 14. Circle of Fourths, 15... Read review

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Advantages: Great jazz tunes from the Golden Age
Disadvantages: None

...a little something to this pure piece of jazz-blues piano work that makes up this excellent tune. Solitude by Duke Ellington and his Orchestra begins strangely with what sounds on this recording by what sounds like some off-key piano playing. Then the rest of the orchestra slowly join in. I fear that this recording is marred by damage to the masters, as it seems to have some problems. Even so, it shows what Duke an his court could do. Speaking of royalty in jazz, the next track is King Oliver with Rhythm Club Stomp. This is re-mastered for digital stereo and seems to have benefited from the experience. It could be this might be one of the accidental stereo recordings that was discovered. Apparently it was the habit of some record producers to use two sets of recording equipment on a recording session, as insurance against an equipment... Read review

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Advantages: Jazz for the uninitiated
Disadvantages: None

.... Don’t Talk (Put Your Head On My Shoulder) – at last, a song I know something about. This is a version of a song originally recorded by the Beach Boys. Ms. Teal doesn’t do a bad job of it but, as is often the case for me, the original can’t be improved upon. Mood Indigo – surely this song is the personification of smooth jazz. You can almost smell the stale cigarette smoke. In a good way, of course. An old Duke Ellington number. Falling For You – I really like this song. It was written by Ms. Teal, but to me it actually sounds like an Elvis Costello song. Not a rip-off or a pastiche, it sounds like he wrote it. This is probably my favourite track. In A Mellow Tone – after three slow songs, we’re back to something more upbeat and more traditionally jazz. Not surprising, since it was written by Duke Ellington. So In Love... Read review

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