Alhambra: Oct 27th 1958

Duke Ellington

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Alhambra: Oct 27th 1958 Review

by Ken Dryden

The tracks within this first of two volumes were drawn from two separate concerts recorded on the same evening at the Alhambra in Paris. Like many releases of quasi-legal origin, it is hard to say that Duke Ellington himself would have authorized the release of these performances, as there are some problems with a squeaky reed in spots. "Take the 'A' Train" is joined in progress, while there are numerous other live versions of medleys like "Black and Tan Fantasy/Creole Love Call/The Mooche" and "Kinda Dukish/Rockin' in Rhythm." That said, the band is in good form. Among the highlights are works of fairly recent vintage: "Newport Up" (showcasing a wild tradeoff of brief exchanges between Clark Terry, Paul Gonsalves and clarinetist Jimmy Hamilton), a medley of "Such Sweet Thunder" and "Sonnet to Hank Cinq," though "What Else Can You Do With a Drum" is a bit of a dud. As usual, Johnny Hodges' masterful alto sax is generously featured in several numbers, including "Jeep's Blues," "All of Me" and a rousing "Things Ain't What They Used to Be." Ellington collectors will want to look for this European import, which has also been issued by other labels.

Track Listing

	Title/Composer	Performer	Time	Stream
1	Take the "A" Train Billy Strayhorn	Duke Ellington	03:23	Amazon
2	Medley: Black and Tan Fantasy/Creole Love Call/The Mooch Duke Ellington / Rudy Jackson / Bubber Miley / Irving Mills	Duke Ellington	09:08	Amazon
3	Newport Up Duke Ellington / Billy Strayhorn	Duke Ellington	05:12	Amazon
4	Deep Purple Peter DeRose / Mitchell Parish	Duke Ellington	04:08	Amazon
5	Harlem Air Shaft Duke Ellington	Duke Ellington	04:09	Amazon
6	Medley: Such Sweet Thunder/Sonnet to Hank Cinq Duke Ellington / Billy Strayhorn	Duke Ellington	04:53	Amazon
7	Sophisticated Lady Duke Ellington / Irving Mills / Mitchell Parish	Duke Ellington	04:07	Amazon
8	Medley: Kinda Dukish/Rockin' in Rhythm Harry Carney / Duke Ellington	Duke Ellington	06:28	Amazon
9	What Else Can You Do With a Drum? Duke Ellington / Billy Strayhorn	Duke Ellington	02:08	Amazon
10	Together Hagood Hardy / Gerald Marks	Duke Ellington	03:19	Amazon
11	Jeep's Blues Duke Ellington / Johnny Hodges	Duke Ellington	03:32	Amazon
12	All of Me Gerald Marks / Seymour Simons	Duke Ellington	02:47	Amazon
13	Things Ain't What They Used to Be Mercer Ellington / Ted Persons	Duke Ellington	04:01	Amazon