Essential Duke Ellington, The [Remastered] - Duke Ellington

Advantages: It's Steely Dan
Disadvantages: None come to mind

...Be warned this re-issue from 1999 of the 1974 release of the “Steely Dan” album “Pretzel Logic” only clocks in at just over 34 minutes long. This collection of 11 tracks has as always has been written by Becker and Fagen except 1, the instrumental track by Duke Ellington and Bubber Miley called “East St. Louis Toodle-Oo is the only cover version on this album. But what an album in only that length of time the men from “Dan” have created a masterpiece, as with Steely Dan’s albums the opening track is one of the strongest of this short assemblage of songs. “Rikki don’t lose that Number” with the opening lines of the chorus “Rikki don’t lose that number, You don’t wanna call nobody else, Send it off in a letter to yourself”, a really memorable song... Read review

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

...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 failure. One set... Read review

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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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