Such Sweet Thunder

Such Sweet Thunder

ASIN: B00000IMYN

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
Such Sweet Thunder was, like Black, Brown and Beige and the later Far East Suite and other works of the late-1950s and on, a long-form study broken into identifiable miniatures that could stand alone as tunes. But this one was far more unlikely than Ellington and cocomposer Billy Strayhorn's other suites, with its focus on characters developed by William Shakespeare. Pieces were scripted for both centuries-old characters and Ellington band members; for example, Paul Gonsalves's tenor sax and Johnny Hodges's alto parry as a musical Romeo and Juliet on "Star-Crossed Lovers." Surely this description of the CD makes it sound stiff, even pretentious, but the music gives the lie to such an assumption. Ellington was a master of sectional polyphony, making sure his band's sections swung individually and then in tandem with the other sections, creating a powerful, sometimes swirling swing. But he had Strayhorn, who was also a master of creating moods and ambient textures. And that's where this session becomes fascinating, in the moments when the group creates something other than rhythmic propulsion, standard harmony, or even focused melody. Rounding out the original LP issue--which accounts for only half of this CD's length--are a host of alternate takes, three of them wholly or partially unreleased until this set. --Andrew Bartlett

Tracks:

Such Sweet Thunder (Cleo)
Sonnet For Caesar
Sonnet To Hank Cinq
Lady Mac
Sonnet In Search Of A Moor
The Telecasters
Up And Down, Up And Down (I Will Lead Them Up And Down) (Puck)
Sonnet For Sister Kate
The Star-Crossed Lovers (AKA Pretty Girl)
Madness In Great Ones (Hamlet)
Half The Fun (AKA Lately)
Circle Of Fourths
The Star-Crossed Lovers (AKA Pretty Girl) (Stereo LP Master)
Circle Of Fourths (Stereo LP Master)
Suburban Beauty (Master Take)
A Flat Minor (Preferred Take)
Cafe Au Lait (Preferred Take)
Half The Fun (AKA Lately) (Alternate Take)
Suburban Beauty (Alternate Take)
A Flat Minor (Outtakes)
Cafe Au Lait (Outtakes)
Pretty Girl (AKA The Star-Crossed Lovers) (First Recording)
Bonus Track 1

Amazon.com

Such Sweet Thunder was, like Black, Brown and Beige and the later Far East Suite and other works of the late-1950s and on, a long-form study broken into identifiable miniatures that could stand alone as tunes. But this one was far more unlikely than Ellington and cocomposer Billy Strayhorn's other suites, with its focus on characters developed by William Shakespeare. Pieces were scripted for both centuries-old characters and Ellington band members; for example, Paul Gonsalves's tenor sax and Johnny Hodges's alto parry as a musical Romeo and Juliet on "Star-Crossed Lovers." Surely this description of the CD makes it sound stiff, even pretentious, but the music gives the lie to such an assumption. Ellington was a master of sectional polyphony, making sure his band's sections swung individually and then in tandem with the other sections, creating a powerful, sometimes swirling swing. But he had Strayhorn, who was also a master of creating moods and ambient textures. And that's where this session becomes fascinating, in the moments when the group creates something other than rhythmic propulsion, standard harmony, or even focused melody. Rounding out the original LP issue--which accounts for only half of this CD's length--are a host of alternate takes, three of them wholly or partially unreleased until this set. --Andrew Bartlett

Customer Reviews:

Shakespeare would've loved it.......2007-05-06

Be jealous of me - I own CD Col 469140 2, which was an earlier reissue that I bought somewhere in Europe. Needless to say, it has the right take of Up And Down...Look for it! This is Duke and Billy's finest writing together - from the swagger of the title track, with its hidden references to Birmingham Breakdown and Jumpin' Punkins, and its use of Duke's "African" motto theme (check out Dance #5 from Liberian Suite) to the very particular decadent elegance of Lady Mac (note the use of Procope's alto). And then one of Duke's very best usages of Clark Terry in that great piece of musical humor, Up And Down, and his best - ever piece for Cat Anderson, the stunning Madness in Great Ones - one of Duke's most "cutting edge" pieces (though I have to admit I don't love the climax - it feels a little overblown). It seems that no one but myself has ever heard some slight nods towards Gil Evans in this suite. Something in the very particular transparency of the scoring - the lightness of the brass writing. Some sonorities...I could see them feeling it. But whatever, this is a masterpiece. One should expect nothing less from Duke, although now that we're living in the age of Ellington hagiography, where (albeit brilliant) sketches like Afro - Eurasian Eclipse are treated like the second coming of Ko-Ko, I think the critical standard is a little low in general. But put that all aside - this CD is a triumph.

Ellington and the Bard.......2006-03-26

This is Duke Ellington's suite in tribute to Shakespeare. Most of the selections are inspired by a particular character (Othello, Caesar, Henry V, for example), and most feature the work of a particular band member. SONNET TO HAND CINQ features Britt Woodman's trombone to good effect; LADY MAC, a waltz and one of the best tunes in the suite, has excellent Clark Terry work; CIRCLE OF FOURTHS, the only track that is taken up-tempo, has a good Paul Gonsalves solo. The most famous selection is STAR-CROSSED LOVERS and features Johnny Hodges on alto in a beautiful solo. Other musicians featured are Harry Carney on THE TELECASTERS and Quentin Jackson on trombone in SONNET FOR SISTER KATE. The music in this suite is introspective for the most part and highly personal; how connected it is to anything Shakespearean is up for debate. The better pieces are quite attractive; it's the kind of music Ellington hoped to be remembered for.

Perhaps Duke Ellington's Most Intriguing Suite..........2006-02-03

This review is an excerpt from my "So You'd Like To..." guide called, "Explore the Music of Duke Ellington: Part I."

Classically inspired, Such Sweet Thunder, also known as The Shakespearean Suite, is an intriguing work for those who have affinity toward classical music. The songs are dedicated to the characters from Shakesphere's plays, and some of the outstanding pieces are the solemn "Sonnet for Caesar" with its tragic ending, the delightful "Lady Mac" who enjoys a bit of ragtime, and Clark Terry's trumpet goes "Up and Down, Up and Down" as Puck who laughs at the world. Billy Strayhorn's "Pretty Girl" was adopted into the suite and entitled, "The Star-Crossed Lovers." With its fluttering notes, the sudden opening by Ellington on the piano lifts the mind right up to the state of high drama and romantic tragedy. Paul Gonzalves plays the part of Romeo. Known for his sensuous phrases and the purest of tone, the peerless Johnny Hodges plays with all the love and heartache that Juliet feels. Ellington ends on the very same notes as the opening and, as Bill Berry in the liner notes put it perfectly, "It leaves one suspended."

IS THERE NO END TO DUKE'S CREATIVITY?.......2005-03-25

Miles Davis once said every one ought to get down on their knees and thank Duke, after listening to this album you'll see why. I am big fan of Duke and the amazing creativity displayed in this album is awesome. There is no bebop, avant guarde, free jazz present just straight ahead swinging crafted beautiful music. The playing is exemplary and does successfully what it set out to do, provide interpretations of Shakespeare characters and plays.

The genius of the man is such that this music can be listened to without references to the Bard's work and is awesome in ever aspect. Melodic , interpetative, improvisational jazz at its best, my only 'problem' is I can't decide which track I like best so I am forced to listen to the music again and again and again and... OH WELL :-)

Buy this album you won't regret. If music be the food of love PLAY (SWING) ON Ellington PLAY ON. Sound familar?? Enjoy

Perhaps THE BEST jazz work.......2005-03-04

If you see my reviews, you will find I am a lover of classical music. Most music I listen to (with attention, not hearing at work or at lunch) is Classical. So when I gave a listening to this masterpiece I was shocked by its conception. I was attracted immediately. Perhaps one of the reasons is the miracoulous orchestration, full of (intuitive) variation and grand scope, nor different in essence from Classical woks. Not only orchestration, also the most varied jazz material is found here. That's why for me, according to my background, this is better than the far east suite or Black, brown and beige. No surprise that in the notes the producer said it was recorded inspired in Classical recordings. For me this is one of the most advanced and at the same time most accesible jazz works, perhaps the closest point jazz was before becoming classical, without being classical. Gershwin of course was a jazz composer, but also classical (piano concerto, Porgy and bess). Ellington never became a formal classical composer but here he becomes very, very close to that. Here you find that improvisation, the soul of jazz, is just a part in a world of extraordinary written music. Compare to Kind of Blue. They say it is a masterpiece of jazz. Sorry, I don`t find it attractive at all. Stupid motifs followed by just improvisation. improvide and improvise. Where is the "substance" of that improvisation? You can improvise for ours but there must be a coherence, global vision, and there must be variation (allways trumpet, piano, saxo1, saxo2, poor ensamble work). here 3 minutes are more richer than 50 minutes of Kind of blue. I dont love improvisation for the sake of improvisation. Here Ellington adds substance, the matter of what Classics are made, and by a Jaz composer !!!!
Some people complain about the famous quotation in Puck. To those who never listened to the vinyl, you won`t find there is something wrong. What it appears here seems reasonably well composed. May be the LP is better, but to those who don`t know it, there is nothing wrong here.
The reason I put 4 stars is about the production. The rest of the material are in essential 3 tracks which show a typical Ellington way of composition. nice pieces at first, but they dont compare with SST, they are poorer. And please, what is the point of repeating tracks just by some little notes different???? perhaps I am not accustomed to the world of jazz improvisation where a note makes difference. For me is like repeating the material you found before. Just stupid. So what you find here is 35 minutes of marvellous music, 30 or 35 of no sense repeats and 7 or 8 minutes of conventional (disposable for me) jazz. A valid reissue must have included Black, brown and beige (Sony release) but of course, the company makes more business if they release them in 2 cds instead of 1.
To sum up, THE choice for those who begin to explore jazz from a classical music previous experience.

Average customer rating:

Too marvelous for words

Hindustan
David Berger & The Sultans of Swing
Manufacturer: Such Sweet Thunder, Inc.
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Jazz | Styles | Music

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The Harlem Nutcracker
Doin' the Do
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Cat
In the Wee Small Hours

ASIN: B000FEBVP4
Release Date: 2006-04-17

Tracks:

Stompin' On A Riff
No Refill
Hindustan
Monkey Business
Bumper Cars
Poor Butterfly
Too Marvelous For Words
The Very Thought Of You
I Don't Hurt Anymore
Do It Again
The Rising Storm
A Whole New You
Parting Words

Amazon.com

Coming from an Ellington-inspired band whose previous albums include Harlem Nutcracker and Marlowe, which featured an atmospheric suite that conjured the world of Raymond Chandler's hardboiled detective, Hindustan raises expectations of another extended thematic piece, perhaps along the lines of Duke's Far East Suite. But the album title and desert-themed cover art derive from the inclusion of a 1918 tune given a colorful, expansive and characteristically refined reading by the Sultans of Swing. The rest of Hindustan ranges far and wide in showcasing David Berger's gifts as a writer and arranger and the seasoned orchestra's winning ability to combine Ellington's coloristic flair and Count Basie's lightly treading approach. Unlike those ensembles that stiffly mine big band tradition, this one remains flexible, whether illuminating Thelonious Monk's ties to Ellington on Berger's "Monkey Business" or highlighting the country-blues side of Dinah Washington via Aria Hendricks' vocal of "I Don't Hurt Anymore." With a nod to the Thad Jones-Mel Lewis band, the boppish elements fit like fist in glove: even as Mark Hynes heats up on tenor saxophone on "Poor Butterfly," the answering reeds remain insistently mellow. --Lloyd Sachs

Product Description

Hindustan is the fourth recording of composer/arranger/conductor David Berger and his band, The Sultans of Swing. This spectacular documentation of big band jazz in full swing features vocalist Aria Hendricks and 15 first-call, world-class musicians. It was recorded in Malmo, Sweden at the end of a Scandinavian road trip in September 2005. Hindustan follows Bergers critically acclaimed CD, Marlowe, and is his most compelling expression to date--as creator, composer, producer and conductor. Hindustan proudly and exuberantly displays its lineage to the famous big bands of a bygone era; however, the music that is conceived from Bergers mind and soul, and played by these master musicians, is anything but retro, and far from being a throwback. This is due in part to its emotional impact, which ranges from the universal and timeless feelings of ebullience (swing) to those of lamentation (the blues). Throughout the recording it is pleasingly evident that, like the great bandleaders that have put their indelible stamp on the jazz idiom, Berger has composed and arranged this music with these particular players in mind. And, in return, they have expertly crafted their improvisations to complement and complete the written music. David Berger & The Sultans Of Swing sound like one glorious, magnificent instrument on Hindustan--one that is capable of providing much pleasure to the ear, heart and mind. The sonic experience is heightened by the extreme care taken to record the band live in the studio without headphones, mix it with absolutely no compression and run it through an analog board, so that what you hear on this CD is as close to a live performance as ever captured on any jazz CD. Leif Marten Olofsson the CEO/Chief Designer of Marten Design, makers of top-of-the-line audiophile speakers says, In the autumn of 2005 I had the pleasure to see and listen to David Berger and his Sultans of Swing live in Sweden. Since then they have been a favourite for me both musically, and when we do demos with our speakers. This latest album has a directness and uncompressed dynamic that shows all the benefits of our speakers. Fantastic!

Customer Reviews:

Too marvelous for words.......2006-08-04

Hindustan is Berger's best work yet. His music just gets in your blood and makes you feel good. This is what jazz is supposed to be.

Average customer rating:

The Harlem Nutcracker
Setting the record straight on Billy Berger's arrangement .
buy the original please
Great!
A nutcracker that swings ...but still has the enchantment

The Harlem Nutcracker
David Berger & The Sultans of Swing , Duke Ellington , and Billy Strayhorn
Manufacturer: Such Sweet Thunder
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Ballets | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

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Hindustan
Three Suites
Doin' the Do
Marlowe
In the Nutcracker Mood

ASIN: B00003L8M6
Release Date: 1999-11-26

Tracks:

Overture
Attack of the Ghouls
Midnight Stroll
Snowflake Joys
Saturday Night Dance Party
Xmas Be De Place/Sing Out
You Take My Breath Away
Punch Bowl Espaol
Marquis Shuffle
Danse of the Floreadores
Peanut Butter Brigade
Sugar Rum Cherry
Volga Vouty
Swingin' at Club Sweets

Album Description

The Harlem Nutcracker
composed by Duke Ellington Billy Strayhorn David Berger
recorded by David Berger & The Sultans of Swing

"The Harlem Nutcracker" cast recording jumps with the fabulous swing music of "The Harlem Nutcracker" dance production that tours nationally each holiday season. The new, original tracks by David Berger complement beautifully the included selections from "Nutcracker Suite" by Duke Ellington and Billy Strayhorn to epitomize the timelessness of swing.

Customer Reviews:

The Harlem Nutcracker.......2006-11-02

An excellent variation of Ellington's arrangement of Tchaikovsky's Nutcracker. Sound quality was excellent also.

Setting the record straight on Billy Berger's arrangement ........2006-05-02

As I understand it, Billy Berger was commissioned by the choreographer Donald Byrd, who wanted to create an evening-length ballet called Harlem Nutcracker. (As you may know, Tchaikovsky composed two scores -- a full-length Nutcracker, which is used in the evening-length ballet, and a shorter Nutcracker Suite. Ellington's jazz arrangement is of the shorter "Suite.") Donald Byrd used all of the original Ellington music, and commissioned Berger to fill in around it to create an evening-length work. (For the record, I have never met Billy Berger, though I do know Donald Byrd.) Thank you.

buy the original please.......2005-12-15

david berger's entire career is almost completely based on transcribing other musician's genuis - most notably Duke Ellington. to any of those who think that these are new "jazzy" arrangements of the nutcracker you should be interested in picking up the original, scored and arranged by Ellington and Strayhorn on a CD entitled "Three Suites". dont get me wrong - his band is good and he has some very accomplished musicians - but c'mon now - you really need to go with the Duke on this one.

Great!.......2005-07-17

The arrangements and performances are outstanding!
I'll put this up against any swing music, now or from the 40's, it really swings, and it's excellently written and the musicianship is great.

Oh, and it includes some jazz-arranged Nutcracker Suite tunes.

If you like good swing jazz, you'll like this!

A nutcracker that swings ...but still has the enchantment.......2002-08-06

I am afan of the play and i have the cd playing all the time. Than during the christmas holiday i saw the metro...perform the harlem nutcracker and let me tell you my entire family enjoyed it....it swings but it still has the enchantment of the play....this is a must have...

Average customer rating:

Handel: The Masterworks (Box Set)

Manufacturer: Brilliant Classics
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Trios | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

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ASIN: B00062FLI8
Release Date: 2004-11-30

Such Sweet Thunder: Music of the Duke Ellington Orchestra

Average customer rating:

Such Sweet Lorraine
Tremendous Vocalese
More Great Songs from a Child of the Jazz World
"Music of Duke Ellington Orchestra ~ Lorraine Feather"
BRILLIANT!!!

Such Sweet Thunder: Music of the Duke Ellington Orchestra
Lorraine Feather
Manufacturer: Sanctuary Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Jazz | Styles | Music

Vocal Jazz General | Vocal Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music

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New York City Drag
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Pleasure of His Company

ASIN: B0001JXP02
Release Date: 2004-03-23

Tracks:

RHYTHM GO WAY
THE 101
CAN I CALL YOU SUGAR
IMAGINARY GUY
SEPTEMBER RAIN
TENACITY
BACKWATER TOWN
A PEACEFUL KINGDOM
LOVELY CREATURES
ANTARCTICA
MIGHTY LIKE THE BLUES

Customer Reviews:

Such Sweet Lorraine.......2005-06-09

This is my first foray into Ms. Feather's solo efforts. Of course, I'm quite familiar with her father's work as a jazz critic, and years ago I enjoyed her work with a vocal trio called "Full Swing," which also featured Mel Torme's son Steve March and Charlotte Crossley, one of Bette Midler's backup singers.

I can't praise this material enough. Just like Ellington, there's a subtle, nuanced sophistication to Feather's lyrics. This isn't the same as "Vocalese," the concept of putting lyrics to not only the melody but the improvised solos of jazz greats, which Lambertss, Kendricks and Ross and later on the Manhatten Transfer were so good at. Lorraine isn't trying to be THAT clever -- yet, the result is so intellectually stimulating, and satisfying. Its as if these formerly "just instrumental" tunes were meant to have just these lyrics.

Lorraine's voice is a jewel too. Its a plain, unadorned sound, very effortless, not showy, but very emotional and musical. The arrangements are simple and tastefull.

The themes of the songs are poignant as well, and seem to touch themes not usually explored in popular music. My pesonal favorites are the opening track "101," "Imaginary Guy," and "Backwater Town," but for an eclectic blend of a great melody, tasteful arrangement, and lyrics that really make you think, you can't beat "Antarctica." A song that tries to conceptually take you into the mind of a woman living on what is ostensibly a science base at the South Pole while carrying on a relationship -- that's poetry. The final selection, a setting of a tune written by her late father, is especially sweet when you understand the connection.

Lorraine Feather, and this recording, proves that she is more than a singer, but a real jazz artist. If I could give it 6 stars, I would have.

Tremendous Vocalese.......2005-01-31

I'm a year or so late in writing. This was one of the best of 2003, and one of the best vocalese albums of the past 40 years.

This is an album of Duke Ellington tunes, done with original Lorraine Feather lyrics. It picks up right where Lambert Hendricks & Ross left off with "Sing Ellington"; whereas Jon Hendricks' lyrics there were to earlier Ellington tunes, Ms. Feather concentrates here on lesser-known Ellingtonia from the '50's and '60's. The results are absolutely marvelous. "The 101", "Imaginary Guy" and "Tenacity", in particular, are so witty and clever that you'll be reminded even more of Mose Allison or Dave Frishberg than you will of Jon Hendricks. And "Can I Call You Sugar" will have you smiling as well, as Ms. Feather finds very appropriate lyrics to match Duke's bluesy turn on Tchaikowsky's "Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy." "Backwater Town", "Lovely Creatures" and "Antarctica" will have you dancing and popping your fingers so much that you may miss the sublty cool lyrics the first time.

Appropriately, Ms. Feather ends the set with a tribute to her famous father, Leonard, and his lyrics to "Mighty Like the Blues." A perfect ending to an outstanding album, though I would have liked to have heard her end the song about an octave higher. But that's about how nit-picky you have to get to find any faults with this. This is an album that you will keep in your c.d. player for a very long time. Highly, highly recommended. RC

More Great Songs from a Child of the Jazz World.......2004-04-24

if you have an ear, a heart or a sense of humor you will definitely enjoy the music of Lorraine Feather, regardless of your musical preferences! And now she thrills us with another amazing performance with her own imaginative lyrics and Duke Ellington's music. Having lived and breathed in the world of jazz all her life, this singer is an amazing and definitive artist. I never tire of listening to her. I highly recommend all of her albums. Take the plunge and add to your musical pleasure with this new CD.

"Music of Duke Ellington Orchestra ~ Lorraine Feather".......2004-04-20

Many of us are fans of Duke Ellington, but this release from Sanctuary Records featuring the talents of Lorriane Feather "Such Sweet Thunder", gives the music another level of spectrum within a host of less known themes from the "Duke" ~ swinging, haunting and mesmerizing performances abound without so much as a flinch from the band, backup vocals and solos are the trimmings ~ bringing together an outstanding array of musicians, being inspired by one another, plus having fun ~ solo work and lyrics by Feather is a dream of creativity, she's clearly a world class act from start to finish ~ originality is pure and so refreshing, keep them coming Lorraine.

Possibly one of the best contemporary Jazz vocal albums via Ellington ever recorded ~ captures all the essence of both musical styles and is a perfect entree to the Jazz genre. Wonderful original arrangements by Morgan Ames (vocal - background & vocal arrangements), Shelly Berg (rhythm arrangements), Bill Elliott Swing Orchestra (horn arrangements),Russell Ferrante (bass, piano & rhythm arrangements), Mike Lang (piano arrangements), Lorraine Feather (vocal/rhythm arrangements) ~ each track sends vibes, feel the impact from each member and the integral artistic success, dynamics trip in and out with every musician having a blast, with all the ingredients from Ellington and Feather cooking up a tasty dish for all us fans of Jazz!

Entire album is a stand out ~ "A PEACEFUL KINGDOM", "ANTARCTICA", "BACKWATER TOWN", "CAN I CALL YOU SUGAR", "IMAGINARY GUY", "LOVELY CREATURES", "MIGHTY LIKE THE BLUES", "THE 101", "RHYTHM, GO 'WAY", "SEPTEMBER RAIN", "TENACITY" ~ while building on Feather's original style, Lorraine pays tribute to the late great Ellington ~ this is certainly a keeper to add to your ever growing collection ~ this is Jazz at its finest hour...gotta love it!

Total Time: 44:08 on 11 Tracks ~ Sanctuary Records 86353 ~ (3/23/2004)

BRILLIANT!!!.......2004-03-31

Hold onto your hats - we're heading down the 101!!! This new CD from Lorraine Feather has to be the slickest recipe ever created: one part nostalgia (Ellington's tunes and rhythms), one part SMOKIN' new, hip arrangements of same, one part modern lingo and sensibility, a splatter of patter, a dash of psychological insight, and a sweet-crisp crust topped with a dollop of whipped cream. Who'd have guessed that Thunder could be baked up in a pie? Lorraine's reinterpretations of these old chestnuts are inspired, humorous and filled with compassion for the human condition. The musicians are fabulous, the recording is impeccable, and Lorraine's singing is glorious. Treat yourself to a HUGE slice of this perfect confection!

Average customer rating:

The Sultan says, "Ya Gotta Live It"

Doin' the Do
David Berger & The Sultans of Swing
Manufacturer: Such Sweet Thunder
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Jazz | Styles | Music

Swing General | Swing Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music

General | Jazz | Indie Music | Stores | Music
Similar Items:

Marlowe
Hindustan
The Harlem Nutcracker
The Real Deal - The Best of Today's Swing Music
Cat

ASIN: B00004YLNW
Release Date: 2000-09-12

Tracks:

Are You Fer It
Makin' Whoopie
Doin' The Do
My Heart Belongs To Daddy
Exactly Like You
Miss Thing
Good Queen Bess
How To Get You Out Of My Heart
Do Nothin' Til You Hear From Me
Ya Gotta Live It
Oops, My Bad!
Busy Woman Blues
Birthday Jam (Happy Birthday/Stompy Jones)

Album Description

This terrific new album from David Berger and the Sultans of Swing not only provides great music for dancing, but arrangements which make subtle, cleaver and profound reference to the great big band jazz tradition. Berger's hand picked band constantly amazes and amuses with their ensemble work and great solos. This is happy music!

Customer Reviews:

The Sultan says, "Ya Gotta Live It".......2001-02-27

"doin' the do!" DAVID BERGER & The Sultans of Swing Such Sweet Thunder CD 1002

"Ya Gotta Live It"

The hit tune "Ya Gotta Live It", an original penned by David Berger "For Dancer's Only" Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra's tour throughout the country is a jewel in this newly proclaimed Sultan's hat. At almost 200 beats per minute it's filled with jump solos (reminiscent of Jimmy Lunceford from whom the title was derived) by that mustachioed gent Jerry Dodgion on alto, the

mercurial Joel Helleny's tough trombone, a freely blowing Dan Block, who evokes the memory of Barney Bigard, and it's all audibly supported by the big string bass sound of Dennis Irwin who keeps the beat danceable. The glue is Berger's tight jump style section parts and a muted trumpet interlude by Brian Pareschi that kicks the ensemble into high gear propelling these youthful men to swing.

"Makin' Whoopie" is an apt expression for a Sultan, although David professes to dodge association with the costumed character that's portrayed with Harem girls on the CD cover, he certainly knows how to arrange music that captures that slow (105 beats) dance mood.

Listen to "My Heart Belongs To Daddy" and "Exactly Like You" and enjoy the dance pulse of 156 beats of swing. Although Johnny Hodges wrote "Good Queen Bess" for his Mom, Jerry Dodgion plays the part with just the right feeling of swing.

Two tunes of San Franciscan swing singer Lavay Smith - "Miss Thing" and "Busy Woman Blues" are covered by New York vocalist Aria Hendricks to show off David's hip writing and arranging plus Aria got to deliver her famous Dad Jon's "How To Get You Out Of My Heart" with her delightful determined but husky voice.

By the time you get to the BONUS TRACK you'll be able to recognize the individual flavor of these exceptional soloists by name: Dan Block, Jay Brandford, Jerry Dodgion, Mark Hymes, Brian Pareschi, Dennis Irwin and Joel Helleny as they each play through David Berger's collection of "Panama/Happy Birthday/Stompy Jones" titled "Birthday Jam" for dancers to play on that occasion.

If swing is your thing, don't miss this Sultan "doin' the do!" conducted by David Berger.

Product Description

1. Such Sweet Thunder~~~2. Perdido~~~3. Rockin' In Rhythm~~~4. Dimuendo And Crescendo In Blue~~~5. Satin Doll~~~6. Jeep's Blues~~~7. Passion Flower~~~8. Medley: -In A Sentimental Mood, -Mood Indigo, -I'm Beginning To See The Light, -I Got It Bad (And That Ain't Good), -Just Squeeze Me (But Don't Tease Me), -It Don't Mean A Thing (If It Ain't Got That Swing), -Solitude.

Average customer rating:

Ellington sampler or sampled Ellington?

Such Sweet Thunder: Music of the Duke Ellington Orchestra
Lorraine Feather
Manufacturer: Sanctuary
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Jazz | Styles | Music

Vocal Jazz General | Vocal Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music

General | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music
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ASIN: B0007TKH7A
Release Date: 2005-02-15

Tracks:

Rhythm, Go 'Way
101
Can I Call You Sugar
Imaginary Guy
September Rain
Tenacity
Backwater Town
Peaceful Kingdom
Lovely Creatures
Antarctica
Mighty Like the Blues

Customer Reviews:

Ellington sampler or sampled Ellington?.......2006-01-24

This recording is a bit of a curiosity. Give Lorraine Feather high marks for her considerable vocal and writing talents as well as her finely-tuned ear for some undeservedly esoteric Ellington gems. What puzzles me is the performer's employing the music as a medium for lyrics that are wholly personal and specific to her own experiences. Jon Hendricks, to take perhaps the most prominent writer of vocalese, invariably makes the lyric an extension of the concerns of the original composer-performer. If an Ellington composition were inspired by the plays of Shakespeare, he would undoubtedly compose a complementary lyric based on Shakespeare's themes and characters. Maybe I need to listen to this album a few more times because the music, arrangements, and performance are certainly pleasurable as are Feather's witty lyrics. The problem resides in the difficulty of bringing them together so that the final product doesn't come off as, to use the parlance of the hip-hoppers, "sampled Ellington" serving the performer rather than as the advertised tribute to the Ellington Orchestra. What's inarguable is that hearing "Chelsea Bridge" ("September Rain") sung by a voice this fresh-sounding is a communicative experience in any language.

Average customer rating:

Marlowe
David Berger & the Sultans of Swing
Manufacturer: Such Sweet Thunder
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Jazz | Styles | Music

General Christmas | Holiday | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music

General | Jazz | Indie Music | Stores | Music

General Christmas | Holiday Music | Special Features | Music
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In the Wee Small Hours

ASIN: B00065L6ZW
Release Date: 2004-10-06

Tracks:

Window on the World
Jihad: The Price Of Oil
Wanted DOA: Osama, Yo Mama
Heroes
Prayer for Peace
The Bait
On The Scent
Too Much Information
Stakeout In The Rain
El Barrio
Back On The Street
Where Am I
Molasses In January
I Got It
Central Avenue Processional
I Ain't Got It
The Big Push

Album Description

To get straight to the point, this is some of the best big-band writing and playing you're likely to hear; the best I've heard from a new band since Thad Jones-Mel Lewis. There is a marvelous variety of moods and textures here, and not a note that doesn't contribute to the whole. This is music that one wants to hear again and again; this is not a CD that will gather dust on the shelf. Marlowe is as compelling in his musical incarnation as on the page or screen. Maybe more so, because this piece is as good or better even after you know how it ends. The music David Berger and his dedicated company have brought us here is that rarest of contemporary works of art: the real thing. Hear it well. It's got the message.

Dan Morgenstern, director of the Institute of Jazz Studies at Rutgers University in Newark.

Such Sweet Thunder
Average customer rating:

Shakespeare would've loved it

Ellington and the Bard

Perhaps Duke Ellington's Most Intriguing Suite...

IS THERE NO END TO DUKE'S CREATIVITY?

Perhaps THE BEST jazz work

Such Sweet Thunder
Duke Ellington & His Orchestra
Manufacturer: Tristar
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Jazz | Styles | Music
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Ellington Uptown

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Masterpieces by Ellington

ASIN: B0000020HN
Release Date: 1994-08-19

Tracks:

Such Sweet Thunder
Sonnet for Caesar
Sonnet to Hank Cinq
Lady Mac
Sonnet in Search of a Moor
Telecasters
Up and Down, Up and Down (I Will Lead Them Up and Down)
Sonnet for Sister Kate
Star-Crossed Lovers
Madness in Great Ones
Half the Fun (aka Lately)
Circle of Fourths
Star-Crossed Lovers (aka Pretty Girl) [Stereo LP Master][#][*]
Circle of Fourths [Stereo LP Master][#][*]
Suburban Beauty [Master Take][*]
A-Flat Minor [Preferred Take][*]
Cafu Lait [Preferred Take][*]
Half the Fun [Alternate Take][*]
Suburban Beauty [Alternate Take][*]
A-Flat Minor [#][*][Outtake]
Cafu Lait (aka the Star-Crossed Lovers) [*][Outtake]
Pretty Girl [*]

Amazon.com

Customer Reviews:

Shakespeare would've loved it.......2007-05-06

Ellington and the Bard.......2006-03-26

Perhaps Duke Ellington's Most Intriguing Suite..........2006-02-03

IS THERE NO END TO DUKE'S CREATIVITY?.......2005-03-25

Perhaps THE BEST jazz work.......2005-03-04

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