Duke Ellington: The Reprise Studio Recordings

Artist: Duke Ellington
Label: Warner Bros / Wea
Category: Music

Average customer rating:

Format: Box set
Media: Audio CD
Number Of Discs: 5

UPC: 093624746423
EAN: 0093624746423
ASIN: B00002MZ33

Release Date: 1999-11-16

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Listmania:

Indispensable Duke

Tracks:

Christopher Columbus
Let's Get Together
Goodbye
Chant Of The Weed
I'm Gettin' Sentimental Over You
One O'Clock Jump
Tuxedo Junction
Ciribiribin
It's A Lonesome Old Town When You're Not Around
Minnie The Moocher
Sentimental Journey
When It's Sleepy Time Down South
For Dancers Only
Rhapsody In Blue
Contrasts
Sleep
Don't Get Around Much Anymore
Auld Lang Syne
The Midnight Sun Will Never Set
Woodchopper's Ball
Artistry In Rhythm
Smoke Rings
The Waltz You Saved For Me
Cherokee

Tracks:

Afro-Bossa
Purple Gazelle
Absinthe
Moonbow
Sempre Amore
Caline (Silk Lace)
Tigress
Angu
Volupte
Bonga
Pyramid
Eighth Veil
Resume #1
Resume #2
Tricky's Licks
Blues In C
Limbo Jazz
Pretty Little One
String Along With Strings
The Feeling Of Jazz

Tracks:

Take The A Train
In A Sentimental Mood
Don't Get Around Much Anymore
Day Dream
Cotton Tail
Night Creature (First Movement): Blind Bug
Night Creature (Second Movement): Stalking Monster
Night Creature (Third Movement): Dazzling Creature
Non-Violent Integration
La Scala, She Too Pretty To Be Blue
Harlem

Tracks:

Hello, Dolly!
Call Me Irresponsible
Fly Me To The Moon
So Little Time
Danke Schoen
More
The Second Time Around
Never On Sunday
I Left My Heart In San Francisco
Blowin' In The Wind
Stranger On The Shore
Red Roses For A Blue Lady
Charade
People
All My Lovin'
A Beautiful Friendship
I Want To Hold Your Hand
Days Of Wine And Roses
I Can't Stop Loving You
The Good Life
Satin Doll
Moon River
Ellington '66

Tracks:

A Spoonful Of Sugar
Chim Chim Cheree
Feed The Birds
Let's Go Fly A Kite
Stay Awake
I Love To Laugh
Jolly Holiday
Sister Suffragette
The Perfect Nanny
Step In Time
The Life I Lead
Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious
Island Virgin
Virgin Jungle
Fiddler On The Diddle
Jungle Kitty
Things Ain't What They Used To Be
Big Fat Alice's Blues
Chelsea Bridge
The Opener
Mysterious Chick
Barefoot Stomper
Fade Up

Customer Reviews:

Essential to your Ellington Collection.......2004-01-21

I am a jazz fan for almost 20 years. I collect jazz recordings, and have 26 albums of Duke Ellington music alone. With that said, I have only made a drop in the bucket, as he composed over 2000 songs. I am still exploring the body of work produced by the master jazz composer of the last 100 years, and loved what I found here.

The material presented on this collection is wonderful: varied moods, textures, and sounds. Originality in the compositions, and striking arrangements of the big band and 60's pop material make for an exciting listen. I have owned this collection for about a month, listen to it frequently, and still feel like it is brand new every time I hear it.

My favorite portion of the collection is the Afro-Bossa album. That music made me stop what I was doing and just listen to the extraordinary jazz I was hearing. This is music that grabs your attention and makes you listen. A lot of people consider jazz music "inaccessible" or elevator music. One listen to Afro-Bossa would blow away both those myths. The music evokes scenes and emotions which few other pieces have done for me. The hard-swinging of tunes like Purple Gazelle are irresistible. Same for Harlem. My family, who does not appreciate jazz, even enjoyed listening to the Ellington '65 and '66 recordings of pop tunes.

I consider this a treasure, and no collection of any serious Ellington fan would be complete without it. The genius of the Duke and the soul of his men shines through on (almost) every tune. A thoroughly enjoyable set! As a previous reviewer said, grit your teeth and spend the money. You will be grateful you did.

a difficult decision because of price, yet . . ........2001-07-18

If you love Ellington this is a no-brainer. It's a splendid collection of the rare and the sublime. However, if you don't know Ellington or are a general listener of music, the price of the set could be a serious problem. One wishes that the discs could be released separately -- it would be great for the many not-so-famous Duke and Strayhorn pieces that are on the discs, and even better for the listener. So what do I recommend? I believe that this set is one of those few times when one should go ahead, clench one's teeth, and spend the money. The other reviewers of this set have done a very good job describing the music, so I'll not repeat what they have said. I will only add that the song "La Scala: She Too Pretty to be Blue" is likely worth the price of the entire set. I know this statement comes across as a bit of an exaggeration, but this piece is one of those pieces of music that one can listen to everyday for months (I'm speaking from experience!)and which can enter into the rhythms of one's life. It truly deserves greater recognition in the Duke canon as well as in popular music. Moreover, it is probably one of the most original uses of strings ever on a record -- even more so than on "I am the Walrus." The Afro-Bossa Suite also makes the steep price of the set worth it. Quirky minatures, these things get on one's mind for days, weeks. Other pieces in the set that are great: the first movement of Night Creature as well as the jazz violin versions of the some of the classic Duke pieces. I hope I've been helpful. I think this is one of those times when the buyer has to consider the value of great art, and enjoyment, over the value of money. There are wonders here.

More Gems From a Giant Unearthed?.......2000-04-18

Duke Elligton's place among the firmament of popular (meaning accessible and widely enjoyed in this instance) music's 20th century's composers is as solid as bedrock. (Gershwin, Lennon and McCartney, Porter, Chuck Berry being among the select others.) His musical ouevure ranges farther and wider than most of them and his many landmark recordings-live and otherwise are signposts dotting the landscape of not just American but World music. With that being the case...why is the Duke's Post-Newport '56-Renaissance output on Reprise so often overlooked? The only logical reason is because of his sheer productivity; some area of his work would almost have to be overlooked. Listening to this compilation of his complete work for the label however, you wonder why the overlooked period is this one. The music contained here is some of his most adventurous...pre-'56 or post '56. He recontextualizes big-band classics of his own and others with bright reinterpretations on "Recollections of The Big Band Era" and "Will the Big Bands Ever Come Back" and then goes to the sensuous, lilting and powerful rhythms of Jazz's dark roots with the lush "Afro-Bossa" album. For me however, the selections which make the 5-disc collection more than worthwhile are those from the very rare album from 1963, "The Symphonic Ellington". The title speaks for itself; the Ellington Orchestra with it's powerful sense of swing and world-class musicianship mated with the talents of the world's greatest symphonic and operatic orchestras who play with unbridled sizzle under the Ellington baton. The sheer musicality of Ellington's music as well as his the obvious enthusiasm of the players does what you ultimately want great music to do; namely shatter the artificial boundaries of genre and give the listener utter enjoyment. The standout tracks, "Night Creature-Movements 1-3" (An inspiration for Stevie Wonder's unsung masterpicees on "Secret Life of Plants"?), "La Scala, She Too Pretty To Be Blue" (A sweeping blues/waltz that begs to be danced to with someone you love), and the almost-talking melodies in the wonderful "Harlem" are a testament to the composer's prodigious gifts. How did he get his group to play so smoothly, so seamlessly within classical confines? How did he get the technically brilliant but improvisationally staid orchestras to sound as loose and fun as they do? Hearing this album, you'll wonder why no one else did this as well and then you'll realize the reason is because no one else could. Horns honk, Woodwinds wail, and Strings sing as the ingredients mix into a vibrant soufflý of sonic riches. The collection is a must-have for collectors, (the "Symphonic Ellington" disc is available here only after a brief and inferiorly mastered reissue in `91 from another label. The music itself can be heard covered on a rather nice disc by the Civica Jazz Ensemble from last year) but it is ultimately a must-have for music lovers in general. Your speakers will never be happier once they've played these discs. Chances are, you'll be happier as well.

A long forgotten episode in Duke's career.......2000-02-18

After the Capitol box, Mosaic has made recordings by Duke available again, which have been ignored by many critics. This is the Ellington orchestra at its most playful,particularly the sessions with non-Dukish material show how different Duke's band was. Take the rather humble songs of "Mary Poppins" and listen how they are rendered here.It's a study in close-up revealing some secrets of the famous Ellington sound.Then listen to the symphonic recordings and how Duke makes the non-Syncopians swing!Some of the highlights of the big-band-remembering sessions are Johnny Hodges' solo in "Smoke Rings", the trumpets in "Ciribiribin", the Billy Strayhorn arrangement of "Chant of the Weed" and many others.For me,the best album is "Afro Bossa",which alone would deserve 5 stars. The "Virgin Island Suite" is no masterpiece,but a real discovery for the Ellington-fan, for it's finally available on CD. This collection is the ideal entrance to the world

of Ellingtonia for "foreigners".You can listen to them and simply enjoy, without the pressure that a masterwork of historic dimensions so often burdens us with.By the way,the sound is superior.

A long forgotten episode in Duke's career.......2000-02-18

After the Capitol box Mosaic has made recordings by Duke available again, which have been ignored by many critics. This is the Ellington orchestra at its most playful,particularly the sessions with non-Dukish material show how different Duke's band was. Take the rather humble songs of "Mary Poppins" and listen how they are rendered here.It's a study in close-up revealing some secrets of the famous Ellington sound.Then listen to the symphonic recordings and how Duke makes the non-Syncopians swing!Some of the highlights of the big-band-remembering sessions are Johnny Hodges' solo in "Smoke Rings", the trumpets in "Ciribiribin", the Billy Strayhorn arrangement of "Chant of the Weed" and many others.For me,the best album is "Afro Bossa",which alone would deserve 5 stars. The "Virgin Island Suite" is no masterpiece,but a real discovery for the Ellington-fan, for it's finally available on CD. This collection is the ideal entrance to the world

of Ellingtonia for "foreigners".You can listen to them and simply enjoy, without the pressure that a masterwork of historic dimensions so often burdens on us.By the way,the sound is superior.

Music CD:

Music CD

Music CD

Music CD

Flaca ~ 2BMF

Catch for Us the Foxes ~ mewithoutYou

Greyhound Afternoons ~ Royal Fingerbowl

Livin' Love ~ The Feminine Complex

Engaged in Labor ~ Miranda Sound

Strange World ~ Ray DeTone

Tonight ~ Silk

Sleeping with the Enemy ~ Paris

Who Let the Dogs Out ~ Chuck Smooth

Over the Influence ~ Various Artists