Very Best Of Duke Ellington, The - Duke Elliington

Advantages: Duchess is one of the best Genesis tracks.
Disadvantages: Some nasty synth-pop and bland tracks

...but with a decent chorus. Then we get the uplifting highland fling of "Duke's Travels" and a reprise of the very beginning (and best bit) of "Behind The Lines" in "Duke's End". A great fun ending to the album. All in all it is not too bad an album but I do find it rather bitty. This used to be the last Genesis album I enjoyed, but the years have mellowed me somewhat to their next two albums.... 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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Advantages: Good music which shows Stevie Wonder’s different styles.
Disadvantages: Differences of opinion about greatest hits.

...Review”. All songs on this album were written by Stevie Wonder except Ebony and Ivory (Paul McCartney) and Redemption Song (Bob Marley). The album starts off with the ballad ISN’T SHE LOVELY, where as an obviously very proud father, Stevie thanks God for the birth of his baby. When Stevie isn’t singing on this track, he is playing the harmonica. I JUST CALLED TO SAY I LOVE YOU, a good ballad for smooching to, is Motown's biggest selling single in the UK. I find the strong beat of SUPERSTITION haunting, while Stevie sings, “Superstitution ain’t the way.” Trumpets play an important part in the jazz song SIR DUKE, which is a tribute to music’s pioneers, “Basie, Miller, Satchmo and the king of all Sir Duke,” ie Duke Ellington. The bass strums the reggae beat in MASTER BLASTER (JAMMIN’). This is a tribute to Bob Marley... Read review

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