The Best of the Complete RCA Victor Mid-Forties Recordings
The Best of the Complete RCA Victor Mid-Forties Recordings
ASIN: B00004S7JK
Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
The 24-CD set of Ellington's RCA recordings released in 1999, The Centennial Edition: The Complete Duke Ellington RCA Victor Recordings, was a monumental project, not only the ultimate celebration of the anniversary but also a summit in jazz research and the art of the reissue. The benefits of that project's immense labor--both in sound restoration and research--are now appearing in more modest, and far more affordable, forms. This single disc is drawn from the Ellington's three-CD The Complete RCA Victor Mid-Forties Recordings. It contains both revisions of earlier classics like "Solitude" and "Caravan" and then-new songs like "I'm Beginning to See the Light," one of Ellington's most popular songs and a hit for Harry James as well. Also included is "Things Ain't What They Used to Be" by Duke's son Mercer. The reverent "Come Sunday," one of Duke's most beautiful melodies, appears in its first recorded form, while "Tonk" is a spirited piano duet with Billy Strayhorn, his composition partner. Throughout, the band is simply magnificent, with veterans like Johnny Hodges and Lawrence Brown and newcomers Cat Anderson and tenor saxophonist Al Sears among the soloists lending their distinctive voices to Ellington's extraordinary musical conception. --Stuart Broomer
The Best of the Complete RCA Victor Mid-Forties Recordings,Duke Ellington,RCA,Big Band,Jazz,Jazz Music,Pop,Swing
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The Best of the Complete RCA Victor Mid-Forties Recordings
Duke Ellington Manufacturer: RCA ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD  General
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ASIN: B00004S7JK Release Date: 2000-04-04 |
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Amazon.com
The 24-CD set of Ellington's RCA recordings released in 1999, The Centennial Edition: The Complete Duke Ellington RCA Victor Recordings, was a monumental project, not only the ultimate celebration of the anniversary but also a summit in jazz research and the art of the reissue. The benefits of that project's immense labor--both in sound restoration and research--are now appearing in more modest, and far more affordable, forms. This single disc is drawn from the Ellington's three-CD The Complete RCA Victor Mid-Forties Recordings. It contains both revisions of earlier classics like "Solitude" and "Caravan" and then-new songs like "I'm Beginning to See the Light," one of Ellington's most popular songs and a hit for Harry James as well. Also included is "Things Ain't What They Used to Be" by Duke's son Mercer. The reverent "Come Sunday," one of Duke's most beautiful melodies, appears in its first recorded form, while "Tonk" is a spirited piano duet with Billy Strayhorn, his composition partner. Throughout, the band is simply magnificent, with veterans like Johnny Hodges and Lawrence Brown and newcomers Cat Anderson and tenor saxophonist Al Sears among the soloists lending their distinctive voices to Ellington's extraordinary musical conception. --Stuart BroomerCustomer Reviews:
Not real best of........2005-03-16
Disappointing selection.......2000-12-22
However, this disc is a major disappointment in terms of selection. Ellington's mid-forties recordings were very, very good, often great, but it was inconsistent enough to merit a single disc distillation, one that could've been very impressive had it taken the absolute best material of this period. Unfortunately, this disc fails on that level, selecting some weak recordings (such as a "Solitude," one of ten reinterpretations Ellington recorded in this period, and the only major disappointment of all ten) and omitting essential ones (only two of four selections from "Black, Brown & Beige" are included, a terrible omission indeed since those four studio recordings are the most desirable tracks from this period).
It's also strange how such tracks as "Frankie & Johnny," "Dancers In Love," "Midriff," and "Black Beauty," all great tracks, would be heaped with so much praise in the liner notes to "The Complete RCA Victor Mid-Forties Recordings," yet they're not included here. Space wouldn't be the issue, as there's certainly enough room left for at least four more tracks. Besides, why include such uninspired work as "Don't You Know I Care" when you have something like "Work Song" available?
I would recommend this for people on a severe budget; in the age of CD recording, this need to buy this disc is minimal. If you're a huge fan of Ellington, pick up either of the larger sets, depending on your budget. You'll be much more satisfied.
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