Duke Ellington's Spacemen - The Cosmic Scene

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DUKE!!!!!

This is the second of fairly easy to find Duke records but once again it reflects how much I loved the way the man could make a small band just swing like crazy.

Once again taken from my Columbia lp CL 1198.

This record has been reissued and I am sure is readily available so I won't list song titles here. But if you are like me nothing beats the feeling of knowing you are listening to the real deal.

Duke Ellington - Blues In Orbit

This Duke's "hippy" record. I don't know what else to call it. A small session from 1960 this record has the my favorite version of "C Jam Blues" ever. "The Swingers Get The Blues Too" quotes Summertime far cooler than anything you might imagine. There is Duke's paean to the ganja "Sweet and Pungent" And let's not forget that Villes Ville Is The Place, Man.

from the Columbia lp CS 1445

Like I said above - the song titles are readily available but nothing beats the warthm of vinyl.

Duke Ellington - Liberian Suite

Now we have the real shit. Easily one of my favorite Duke pieces and one you rarely see posted. Not a rip from the original but a rip from of those goofy CBS "Do You Like Jazz" Euro reissues. This one is Dutch and has "A Tone Parallel to Harlem" on the other side. Given that I was well into my 30's before learning to appreciate this music, the originals were far out of my reach. This record has always mesmerized me. These two pieces were composed less than 5 years apart.
Does it really take me to say that Duke Ellington is probably America's greatest composer? Probably not. I have more Duke Ellington lps than any other artist in my record collection, and yet there are still a few I search for. I hope this record brings you as much joy as it has me over the years.
CBS mono 62 686

liberian suite

1. i like the sunrise

2. dance no.1

3. dance no.2

4. dance no.3

5. dance no.4

6. dance no.5

(1947)

a tone parrallel to harlem

7. the harlem suite

(1951)

Shirley Scott - Satin Doll

Nowhere could I find an image of Shirley Scott's Satin Doll lp*, which is too bad because it's a good one. This is another in my ongoing Duke tribute and by far one of my favorites. Ripped from my original Prestige lp from 1963. It's Shirley in a straight organ trio setting, swinging Duke like a mutha'! I don't know that I can say much about this record, it speaks for itself. This record was the reason I put the Duke stuff up.

I humbly offer Prestige 7283.

1. Satin Doll

2. It Don't Mean A Thing

3. C Jam Blues

4. Perdido

5. Mood Indigo

6. Things Ain't What They Used To Be

7. Solitude

Shirley Scott - organ

George Tucker - bass

Mack Simpkins - drums

*Thank you cooljazz for locating the cover and passing it my way.

Terry Gibbs plays The Duke

A tribute to Duke by this unusual quartet.
Gibbs is known for his west coast feel and this lp conveys that feeling very much. Of course Jolly and Vinegar are stalwarts of that scene as well.
This was ripped from my vinyl copy of a record that is as old as I am. I wish I could say I have held up as well.

Once again the driving force behind this record is the way it swings. Terry Gibbs plays the vibraharp, xylophone and marimba while Jolly switches from piano to accordian for this session. Leroy Vinnegar is still on bass while Gary Frommer joins on drums.
This session was recorded in LA on 12/04/57.

1. Rockin' In Rhythm

2. I Let A Song Go Out Of My Heart

3. Caravan

4. Solitude

5. Take the A Train

6. Sophisticated Lady

7. Do Nothing Till You Hear From Me

8. Don't Get Around Much Any More

9. Johnny Come Lately

10. C-Jam Blues

Emarcy MG 36128

Eugenie Baird Sings..

...Duke's Boys Play...Ellington.
The second in this series brings us a vocalist and a later day and somewhat stripped down version of the orchestra. My copy is an old Pickwick release I believe although it has a catalog number DLP 93 and a stereo compatible sticker covering some info. the band listing is limited to the front cover and lists only:
Tyree Glenn - Trombone and Vibes
James Taft Jordan - Trumpet
Ben Webster - Tenor Sax
Wendell Marshall - Bass
David Rivera - Piano
and others..
Mercer Ellington - Arranger and Conductor

Other than this I know nothing but enjoy these...

1. I'm Beginning To See The Light
2. In A Sentimental Mood
3. Something To Live For
4. Mood Indigo
5. Everything But You
6. I Let A Song Go Out Of My Heart
7. Lush Life
8. Solitude
9. Pass Me By
10. Well Well

Duke

To Duke With Love - Art Farmer

With Duke's "birthday" rolling around at the end of the month, I thought I might post some of my favorite Duke related stuff. This first is probably the least rare of all but as I was listening to the records I was surprised at how much I really enjoyed this one. At one time I had dismissed this record. A nice quartet date with some standards and a few surprises.

To Duke With Love Inner City Records 1978 (IC 6014)

1. In A Sentimental Mood

2. It Don't Mean A Thing

3. The Star Crossed Lovers

4. The Brown Skin Gal In The Calico Gown

5. Lush Life

6. Love You Madly

Art Farmer - flugelhorn

Cedar Walton - piano

Sam Jones - bass

Billy Higgins - drums

recorded March 5, 1975