Best of the California Concerts

Duke Ellington

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Best of the California Concerts Review

by Thom Jurek

Here on a single disc are the finest moments -- according to GNP Crescendo, anyway -- of Duke Ellington & His Orchestra's California concerts in 1953 and 1954. The first took place in Pasadena, and the latter in Los Angeles. The band, of course, was phenomenal, with three of the four trumpet chairs filled by Clark Terry, Cat Anderson, and Ray Nance; with Juan Tizol on one of the trombones; with Paul Gonsalves and Harry Carney on two of the saxes; and on "Perdido," bassist Oscar Pettiford sitting in on cello -- the orchestra's bassists were Jimmy Woode and Wendell Marshall. The program is all classic Ellington as opposed to newly recorded material, and the jam part of the 1954 gig is a nine-plus-minute version of "Take the 'A' Train." Vocalist Jimmy Grissom sings a trio of tunes on the earlier gig, including "Do Nothin' Till You Hear from Me," as well. That all said, this is for Ellingtonia collectors only.

Track Listing - Disc 1

Title/Composer Performer Time Stream
1
The Tattooed Bride
Duke Ellington
Duke Ellington feat: Duke Ellington & His Orchestra 09:23 SpotifyAmazon
2
Diminuendo in Blue/Crescendo in Blue
Duke Ellington
Duke Ellington feat: Duke Ellington & His Orchestra 08:09 SpotifyAmazon
3
The Hawk Talks
Louie Bellson
Duke Ellington feat: Duke Ellington & His Orchestra 03:14 SpotifyAmazon
4
Monologue
Duke Ellington
Duke Ellington feat: Duke Ellington & His Orchestra 03:19 SpotifyAmazon
5
St. Louis Blues
W.C. Handy
Duke Ellington feat: Duke Ellington & His Orchestra 02:34 SpotifyAmazon
6
V.I.P.'s Boogie/Jam with Sam
Duke Ellington
Duke Ellington feat: Duke Ellington & His Orchestra 06:33 SpotifyAmazon
7
Without a Song
Edward Eliscu / Billy Rose / Vincent Youmans
Duke Ellington feat: Duke Ellington & His Orchestra 03:54 SpotifyAmazon
8
Do Nothin' Till You Hear from Me
Duke Ellington / Bob Russell
Duke Ellington feat: Duke Ellington & His Orchestra 02:11 SpotifyAmazon
9
Street Blues
Duke Ellington
Duke Ellington feat: Duke Ellington & His Orchestra 04:25 SpotifyAmazon
10
Perdido
Ervin Drake / Hans Lengsfelder / Juan Tizol
Duke Ellington feat: Duke Ellington & His Orchestra 04:50 SpotifyAmazon
11
Ellington Medley: Don't Get Around Much Anymore/In a Sentimental Mood/M
Duke Ellington
Duke Ellington feat: Duke Ellington & His Orchestra 07:32 SpotifyAmazon

Track Listing - Disc 2

Title/Composer Performer Time Stream
1
Smada
Duke Ellington / Billy Strayhorn
Duke Ellington feat: Duke Ellington & His Orchestra 02:32 SpotifyAmazon
2
Black and Tan Fantasy
Duke Ellington / Bubber Miley
Duke Ellington feat: Duke Ellington & His Orchestra 05:12 SpotifyAmazon
3
How High the Moon
Nancy Hamilton / Morgan Lewis
Duke Ellington feat: Duke Ellington & His Orchestra 05:09 SpotifyAmazon
4
Serious Serenade
Duke Ellington
Duke Ellington feat: Duke Ellington & His Orchestra 03:22 SpotifyAmazon
5
Theme for Trambean
Jimmy Hamilton
Duke Ellington feat: Duke Ellington & His Orchestra 04:05 SpotifyAmazon
6
Skin Deep
Louie Bellson
Duke Ellington feat: Duke Ellington & His Orchestra 05:31 SpotifyAmazon
7
Mood Indigo
Barney Bigard / Duke Ellington / Irving Mills
Duke Ellington feat: Duke Ellington & His Orchestra 06:12 SpotifyAmazon
8
Blue Jean Beguine
Cat Anderson
Duke Ellington feat: Duke Ellington & His Orchestra 04:14 SpotifyAmazon
9
Take the "A" Train
Billy Strayhorn
Duke Ellington feat: Duke Ellington & His Orchestra 09:30 SpotifyAmazon
10
Satin Doll
Duke Ellington / Johnny Mercer / Billy Strayhorn
Duke Ellington feat: Duke Ellington & His Orchestra 03:54 SpotifyAmazon
11
Stompin' at the Savoy
Benny Goodman & His Orchestra / Andy Razaf / Edgar Sampson / Chick Webb
Duke Ellington feat: Duke Ellington & His Orchestra 06:08 SpotifyAmazon
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Best of the California Concerts

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