Duke: The Columbia Years 1927-1962

THE DUKE is a compilation of material recorded for Columbia, OKeh and the American Recording Company labels, from 1927-1940, 1947-1952 and 1956-1962. Duke Ellington was a great bandleader, a fine if underrated pianist (an influence on Thelonious Monk and Cecil Taylor), a prolific songwriter, and a superlative arranger, writing specifically to his musicians' strengths, and achieving unique instrumental voicings and textures. He constantly rearranged many compositions, so that, for instance, "Mood Indigo," would differ tremendously in its 1935, 1950 and 1970 incarnations. In consequence, Ellington's was one of the few big bands to survive the Big Band era (the early '30s through the late '40s) while retaining a genuine creative spirit. THE DUKE is a superb overview of Duke Ellington's sporadic residence at Columbia Records, capturing his music at many of its peaks. There's the madly upbeat Lindy-Hop swing of "Slap Happy," and the mellow, luxurious "In a Sentimental Mood" of the 1930's. The '50s begets the sweet jazz-pop of his collaboration with Rosemary Clooney, and soundtrack music (ANATOMY OF A MURDER), while in the '60s, Ellington, with his right-hand man Billy Strayhorn, tackled a re-casting of Tchaikovsky's "Nutcracker Suite," and a madly swinging face-off with Count Basie's big band. Though it's not definitive (few Ellington compilations could be), this fine set more than lives up to its title. CMJ (3/27/00, p.25) - "...This is an essential collection and a fabulous primer for the curious."
Vibe (3/00, p.214) - "...represents 3 major periods during which Ellington recorded for Columbia records, effectively chronicling the musical evolution of the composer and his incomparable orchestra....Here is the Duke's essence - elegant and playful, familiar and evocative..."

01 - Hot and Bothered
02 - East St. Louis Toodle-Oo
03 - Black and Tan Fantasy
04 - Black Beauty
05 - Ring Dem Bells
06 - The Mooche
07 - It Don't Mean a Thing (If It Ain't Got That Swing)
08 - Slippery Horn
09 - Saddest Tale
10 - Showboat Shuffle
11 - In a Sentimental Mood
12 - In a Jam
13 - Caravan
14 - The Gal from Joe's
15 - Braggin' in Brass
16 - I Let a Song Go Out of My Heart
17 - Battle of Swing
18 - Prelude to a Kiss
19 - Slap Happy
20 - Old King Dooji
21 - Portrait of the Lion
22 - Country Gal
23 - Little Posey
24 - Tootin' Through the Roof
25 - Sophisticated Lady
26 - Hy'a Sue
27 - Lady of the Lavender Mist
28 - You're Just an Old Antidisestablishmentarianismist
29 - Golden Cress
30 - Sultry Serenade
31 - Maybe I Should Change My Ways
32 - Stomp, Look and Listen
33 - On a Turquoise Cloud
34 - Three Cent Stomp
35 - Don't Get Around Much Anymore
36 - Progressive Gavotte
37 - I Can't Believe That You're in Love With Me
38 - I Like the Sunrise
39 - Snibor
40 - Creole Love Call
41 - The Tattooed Bride
42 - Brown Betty
43 - Primpin' at the Prom
44 - Monologue (Pretty and the Wolf)
45 - Take the A Train
46 - Jeep's Blues
47 - Solitude
48 - Blue Rose
49 - The Star-Crossed Lovers
50 - Mood Indigo
51 - Dancers in Love
52 - Come Sunday
53 - Satin Doll
54 - Flirtibird
55 - Perdido
56 - C Jam Blues
57 - Things Ain't What They Used to Be
58 - Happy Go Lucky Local
59 - Something to Live For
60 - Creole Blues (Excerpt from Creole Rhapsody)
61 - Dance of the Floreadores (Waltz of the Flowers)
62 - Lotus Blossom
63 - A Midnight in Paris
64 - Asphalt Jungle (Theme)
65 - Battle Royal
66 - Duke Loves You Madly