Duke [Original recording remastered]

Amazon.com
Duke saw Genesis start, somewhat unwillingly, to shed their progressive-rock mantle. Partly this was a response to the radically changing musical scene, partly a result of Phil Collins's new-found influence within the band as a songwriter, and partly it was a logical direction if they were to capitalize upon the success of "Follow You Follow Me" from 1978's And Then There Were Three. Recorded at Abba's Polar Studios in Stockholm, Duke showcased a more commercial sound, brisker arrangements, and more down-to-earth (some would say merely more prosaic) lyrics. Though Tony Banks was still responsible for the majority of the songwriting, turning in the classic "Duchess" and "Heathaze," the album also contains Collins's first two solo compositions, including "Misunderstanding," a template for the songs of his forthcoming solo career. In contrast to the relatively muddy-sounding And Then There Were Three, Duke is clear and sharp, with Collins's increasingly arena-friendly drum sound showcased in the mix. --James Swift

Duke,Genesis,Atlantic / Wea,Pop,Popular Music,Rock,Rock/Pop

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Duke [Original recording remastered]

Average customer rating:

Duke Robillard's World Full of Blues Duke Robillard Manufacturer: Stony Plain Music ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Contemporary Blues | Blues | Styles | Music General | Blues | Styles | Music Electric Blues Guitar | Blues | Styles | Music Modern Blues | Blues | Styles | Music General | Jazz | Styles | Music Similar Items: Power of the Pontchartrain Katrina Was Her Name Moment of Truth Solid Ice In the Palace of the King ASIN: B000PFU8GG Release Date: 2007-06-26

Tracks:

1. Jump the Blues For You
2. Everything Is Broken
3. Treat Me So Lowdown
4. Slam Hammer
5. You're Killin' Me Baby
6. Slim Jenkins Joint
7. Sweet Thing
8. You Won't Let Me Down
9. Six Inch Heels
10. World Of Blues
11. Look Out
12. Stoned

Tracks:

1. Gonna's Get You Told
2. Monkey Arms
3. Who Do You Love
4. Low Side Of the Road
5. Too Much Stuff
6. Blues Nightmare
7. Bounce For Billy
8. Bright Lights, Big City
9. Steppin' Out
10. Anything It Takes
11. Stretchin'

Amazon.com

If there's such a thing as narrow-focus versatility, this set's a prime example. Duke Robillard has cut jazz, swing, rock, and instrumental albums, and he was Tom Waits's 2006 tour guitarist. Now the virtuoso returns to his true love--the music that first brought him acclaim as founder of Roomful of Blues--with two CDs that explore all aspects of the style. Dirty Chicago grinds like "You're Killin' Me Baby" tumble into gentle swingers like Robillard's take on T-Bone Walker's "Treat Me So Lowdown" and the hushed Wes Montgomery-influenced "Stoned." He conjures a raw Mississippi-juke-joint sound to interpret "Everything Is Broken," a tune penned by another former employer, Bob Dylan. And electric and acoustic guitars, plus some lute-like sax, are used to magnify the hoodoo vibe of Waits's "Low Side of the Road." Robillard also experiments with his voice, dropping to his lowest register to echo Bo Diddley's brawny growl as he covers the rock godfather's "Who Do You Love." These 23 numbers culminate with "Stretchin'," a nine-minute guitar-and-organ showcase that evokes the soul-jazz style invented by Jimmy Smith, concluding a "World" tour that'll please blues guitar lovers. --Ted Drozdowski

Average customer rating: Uh, made a mistake So Close best band ever!!! a classic Garbage Bleeds

Bleed Like Me Garbage Manufacturer: Geffen Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music General | Rock | Alternative Styles | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music Alternative Dance | Alternative Styles | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music General | Dance Pop | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music Similar Items: Beautifulgarbage Garbage Version 2.0 Angelfish With Teeth ASIN: B0007Y8A06 Release Date: 2005-04-12

Tracks:

1. Bad Boyfriend
2. Run Baby Run
3. Right Between The Eyes
4. Why Do You Love Me
5. Bleed Like Me
6. Metal Heart
7. Sex Is Not The Enemy
8. It's All Over But The Crying
9. Boys Wanna Fight
10. Why Don't You Come Over
11. Happy Home

Amazon.com

Despite making it through a difficult four-year stretch in which the band temporarily broke up, singer Shirley Manson left her husband, and new technologies made the sleek electro-rock sound of its first three albums feel passé, Garbage resurfaces in rude health on Bleed Like Me. Manson is still kickboxing the air and stomping the glitter under her heels, as she channels Debbie Harry and Chrissie Hynde on edgy glam-rock anthems like "Run Baby Run" and "Metal Heart." All the while three bookish producers in the background--including Butch Vig, who famously helmed Nirvana's Nevermind--turn up the sleazy machine-like rhythms. Foo Fighters front man Dave Grohl sits in on the drums for the menacing "Bad Boyfriend," but it's the confessional title track Bleed Like Me"--part "Walk on the Wild Side," part therapy session for former cutter Manson--that shatters Garbage's image as the ultimate non-stick studio band. "You should see my scars," goes the chorus. And, for once, Manson is actually willing to reveal them. -- Aidin Vaziri

Customer Reviews:

Uh, made a mistake.......2007-05-12

I only liked one song - Bleed Like Me. Oh well, stuff happens.

So Close.......2006-11-12

Yes, Garbage's sound can be so close to a lot of people's heart. Just a ten years career and 4 lovely albums and they broke up. It's a shame, actually. This last album contain some track that really can make you shiver like "It's all over but the crying" and "Happy home"...Ballads that don't talk about easy feelings, there's always a dramatic vein in Garbage songs. Always, it doesn't mater if the song is a romantic ballad or a stunning hard rock song. Maybe is the sadness of life that pass through their music, sometimes it hurts, but can make You feel not alone.

best band ever!!!.......2006-10-19

too bad they broke up, but this album is a tie with version 2.0, shirley manson only gives her best in everyone of her music. she is a truly talented woman...wish the band hadn't broken up though.
The new songs are incredibly wonderful.

a classic.......2006-08-07

I love this album! I see in the discussions someone said you would only like this if you are "bitter and angry"...well, that's not me...and I LOVE THIS ALBUM. Shirley Manson is amazing. Not only is she gorgeous, she is a fabulous singer, and a great, intelligent writer. Although I don't agree with all the philosophies she puts into her songs(though yes, I'm anti-war and think she articulated in "Boys Wanna Fight" what's going on really well, I don't think a "free love" revolution will solve anything on personal or political levels..."Sex is not the Enemy" is a great song music-wise though...end tangent), I think she's a great example for women in many ways. We're not all waiting for a man to come along and "make it all better." We're not all demure. Shirley's lyrics express that in a society that does not accept it. Go Shirley.

I have heard people complain that this album is more straight-up rock n'roll and less "electronic" than 2.0, but that is the hallmark of a great band. The Beatles had "Sgt. Pepper" as well as "Let it Be". Led Zeppelin did "Black Dog" as well as "Tangerine." Great bands have range.

Garbage is the only band I love that came out of the 90's. And they're still rockin' in the 2000's. Listening to this album has helped me alot through some recent times. There are some very uplifting songs, as well as some songs that are so deep, true, and sad that they make me cry. Beautifully written.

I saw Garbage in concert in Spring '05. Shirley Manson is even more jaw-droppingly captivating in person. Rock on, Garbage! And thank you for all the great music.

Garbage Bleeds.......2006-07-24

Shirley Manson and her rock band return with a good rocker album. Foo Fighters' Dave Grohl even makes a guest performance for the track "Bad Boyfriend". BLEED LIKE ME is a typical rock album. The guitars, bass, and drums are heavy and very rhythmic oriented with a lot of power chords. The guitars and bass also perform interesting counterpoint, but their distortion loose the melodic feel to their performance. Manson once again, gives a great performance in a rock style, but she also has some interesting melody lines as well. The contour to this record is well formed. Not all of the songs are a loud and heavy rock sound, some are quiet and have great harmonic progressions to them. The addition of keyboards and strings help in this aspect of the album. BLEED LIKE ME is interesting, and should be heard in its entirity.

Enchanced CD features contain the music video for "Why Do You Love Me".

Stand out tracks include:
"Metal Heart"
"Sex Is Not the Enemy"
"Boys Wanna Fight"
'Why Don't You Come Over"
"Happy Home"

Average customer rating: Just as good now! A good album of moody progressive pop A Classic, great moments of Prog and Pop Genesis Genesis - Their Last Great Album How can this album be rated 4 1/2 stars ?

Duke Genesis Manufacturer: Atlantic / Wea ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Pop | Styles | Music Soft Rock | Pop | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music Progressive Rock | Progressive | Rock | Styles | Music Album-Oriented Rock (AOR) | Classic Rock | Styles | Music CDs $7 - $10 | Album-Oriented Rock (AOR) | Classic Rock | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music All Bargain Titles | Album-Oriented Rock (AOR) | Classic Rock | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music CDs $7 - $10 | Progressive Rock | Rock | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music All Bargain Titles | Progressive Rock | Rock | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music 4-for-3 Classic Rock | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music 4-for-3 Pop | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music 4-for-3 Rock | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music 4-for-3 All Music | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: Abacab And Then There Were Three Wind & Wuthering Genesis A Trick of the Tail ASIN: B000002J2F Release Date: 1994-11-29

Tracks:

1. Behind The Lines
2. Duchess
3. Guide Vocal
4. Man Of Our Times
5. Misunderstanding
6. Heathaze
7. Turn It On Again
8. Alone Tonight
9. Cul-De-Sac
10. Please Don't Ask
11. Duke's Travels
12. Duke's End

Amazon.com

Duke saw Genesis start, somewhat unwillingly, to shed their progressive-rock mantle. Partly this was a response to the radically changing musical scene, partly a result of Phil Collins's new-found influence within the band as a songwriter, and partly it was a logical direction if they were to capitalize upon the success of "Follow You Follow Me" from 1978's And Then There Were Three. Recorded at Abba's Polar Studios in Stockholm, Duke showcased a more commercial sound, brisker arrangements, and more down-to-earth (some would say merely more prosaic) lyrics. Though Tony Banks was still responsible for the majority of the songwriting, turning in the classic "Duchess" and "Heathaze," the album also contains Collins's first two solo compositions, including "Misunderstanding," a template for the songs of his forthcoming solo career. In contrast to the relatively muddy-sounding And Then There Were Three, Duke is clear and sharp, with Collins's increasingly arena-friendly drum sound showcased in the mix. --James Swift

Customer Reviews:

Just as good now!.......2007-07-04

I remember well, a flight to India in the 80's and on the audio, Thai Airways were playing this album.
Well, its still as fresh and engaging now as it was then....20 odd years later.
Probably not as well known as other Genesis work, but still, for me, evocative of a different time.
Definitely enjoyable.

A good album of moody progressive pop.......2007-06-02

Released in 1980, this album marked the end of their progressive rock era and showed the band hurtling upwards to mega pop stardom. For many fans the streamlined sound on Duke was very different than albums like Selling England by the Pound (1973) and perhaps to some extent, And Then There Were Three (1978). I have to say that I really like Duke, in spite of my being a hardcore fan of their 1970s output. I think that one of the great things about this album is the fact that the guys in Genesis were writing as a team - this group approach to composition stands in contrast with And Then There Were Three, which was basically a collection of solo pieces. Then there was the music, which still had the sheen of progressive rock all over it, in spite of Duke being a comparatively more pop-oriented album; all good things in my book. I think that of the albums being released by the English prog giants still around in 1980 (Yes - Drama; Gentle Giant - Civilian; Jethro Tull - A) Duke is by far my favorite.

The lineup on Duke included Phil Collins (drums; percussion; lead vocals; "duck"); Tony Banks (acoustic grand piano; Yamaha CP-70 electric piano; Yamaha CS80; Sequential Circuits Prophet 5; ARP Quadra; Moog Polymoog; Roland VP330; Hammond T102 organ; 12 string guitar; and backing vocals); and Michael Rutherford (electric bass; electric guitar; backing vocals). Just by looking at Tony's equipment list, it is clear that this is a pretty synth heavy album - the CS80 was used a lot as well as the CP-70 piano. In terms of the elements of the classic Genesis sound, it is still there, but presented in a scaled back manner. Of course the incredible prog rock workout on Duke's Travels/Dukes End is the exception to this, which features some great playing by Tony. Phil of course shines throughout the album, his drumming as impressive as ever and his vocals in top form.

Based on what I have read, the tracks Behind the Lines/Duchess/Guide Vocal/Turn it on Again/Dukes Travels/Dukes End were originally planned to be arranged as a continuous, 25-minute long suite (The Duke Suite). The band changed their minds though, thinking that the other tracks (on Side 2 of the original LP) would have sounded weak in comparison and decided to sandwich the solo tracks in between the individual pieces of the Duke Suite. Speaking of which, the other tracks are really not bad at all and my favorites include Mike's "Man of Our Times"; Tony's "Cul-de-Sac"; and Phil's somber "Please Don't Ask", which is a reference to his (at the time) ailing marriage. In general, the playing, arranging, and song writing are excellent throughout and the tunes feature loads of Tony's gloomy chords; this is not the cheeriest pop album out there.

This remastered album comes with all of the lyrics along with the original album cover art. The sound quality is pretty good too.

All in all, this is a good album that finds Genesis quoting from their progressive rock past yet simultaneously looking towards the mega pop stardom they enjoyed in the 1980s; as such, it serves as a nice bookend to their prog rock albums of the 1970s. Highly recommended along with And Then There Were Three (1978); Wind and Wuthering (1976); A Trick of the Tail (1976); The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway; and Selling England by the Pound (1973).

A Classic, great moments of Prog and Pop Genesis.......2007-04-19

Duke is the highpoint of the three-man period in my opinnion. From the opening of "Behind the Lines" you get the feeling that you are in for a powerful, fast-paced, electric album full of grandeur and excitement. The second song "Duchess" is one of my favorite Genesis songs. There is some kind of electric excitement which carries this song, which is about the carreer of a female singer.

The album is bookended by the Duke Suite, which is comprised of Behind the Lines, Duchess, Guide Vocal, Turn it On Again, Duke's Travels, and Duke's End. The Duke Suite is the best material on the album, with Turn It On Again becoming an unlikely rock anthem, and Duke's Travels which is the band's most eletrifying and exciting song since the Cinema Show. Duke's End quotes Behind the Lines and Turn It On Again to end the album in a thematic ramp.

Filling the rest of the album is a number of notable songs made equally by each of the band members. Duke was the first album that Phil showed equal songwriting prominance as Mike and Tony. A lot of the songs on the album have to do with relationships and their breakups and they are done very well. The album also includes a major hit "Misunderstanding" written by Phil.

All in all Duke is a great album, the best of the three-man era. If you like Duke, check out the three member's solo albums released around the same time: Mike's Smallcreep's Day, Tony's A Curious Feeling, and Phil's Face Value. Three brilliant solo albums that focuses on each member's individual talents that were pooled together to create Duke.

Genesis - Their Last Great Album.......2007-04-10

For me "Duke" is the last truly great Genesis album. Although I find bits and pieces that I like in the band's "commercial" years in the 80's and early 90's, I think this is the last time that the band put a total album of great songs together. The album was a huge commercial success and vaulted the band into major radio airplay with the singles "Misunderstanding", and "Turn It On Again". The first 2/3rds of the album are shorter songs, but most of them are solid. The album ends with "Duke's Travels" and "Duke's End" which rank up with the band's best progressive rock work. Tony Bank's keyboard solo on "Dukes Travels" is especially impressive. The shorter songs are mostly good here too. "Behind The Lines", "Duchess", "Guide Vocal", "Man Of Our Times", "Cul De Sac" are all great songs. Collins was going through a divorce from his 1st wife during the writing of this album which becomes the subject of "Please Don't Ask". Drum machines show up for the first time on this disc and are especially apparent during "Duchess". They would continue to be a part of Genesis music for the rest of the band's career. Even with the machines Collins drumming is up front throughout and powerful as ever. "Duke" was very much a transitional album for the band, but enough of what originally made them great was still present to make this one of their top ranked albums.

How can this album be rated 4 1/2 stars ?.......2007-02-12

I am wondering how can "Duke" have an average of 4 1/2 stars ?
In my mind, the opening and the closing tracks are the highlights of the CD. "Behind the lines-Duchess-Guide vocal" is greatly done. The best of the album is by far "Duke's travel-Duke's end"
The hits "Misundertanding" and Turn it on again" are totally burned songs, we have heard them too often. The rest is so-so, nothing memorable there...

Average customer rating: Touching Pays music a complement. I love the classical pieces! the Notebook soundtrack (Audio CD) Very Nice A sweeping, emotional standout!

The Notebook Various Artists Manufacturer: New Line Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Swing General | Swing Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music Movie Scores | Soundtracks | Styles | Music Movie Soundtracks | Soundtracks | Styles | Music General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music General | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music Similar Items: The Notebook (New Line Platinum Series) The Notebook Finding Neverland A Walk to Remember The Lake House ASIN: B00023B1E4 Release Date: 2004-06-08

Tracks:

1. Main Title
2. Overture
3. "I'll Be Seeing You" Performed by Billie Holiday
4. "Alabamy Home" Performed by Duke Ellington
5. Allie Returns
6. House Blues/The Porch Dance/The Proposal/The Carnival
7. Noah's Journey
8. "Always And Always" Performed by Benny Goodman & His Orchestra
9. "A String Of Pearls" Performed by Glenn Miller & His Orchestra
10. On The Lake
11. "Diga Diga Doo" Performed by Rex Stewart And The Ellingtonians
12. "One O'Clock Jump" Performed by Benny Goodman & His Orchestra
13. "I'll Be Seeing You" Performed by Jimmy Durante
14. Noah's Last Letter
15. Our Love Can Do Miracles

Amazon.com

Based on Nicholas Sparks' novel, director Nick Cassavetes film spins the bittersweet tale of a 60-year romance, as seen from the polar perspectives of its promising youth and the travails of an old age cursed by Alzheimer's. Its soundtrack effectively echoes those polar dramatic concerns, with composer Aaron Zigler's gentle orchestral score largely giving voice to the character's melancholy present, while a rich, well-chosen slate of vintage material by Billie Holiday, Duke Ellington, Benny Goodman and Glenn Miller imparts a restless energy to their youth. There's a certain schmaltz to much of Zigman's work here, yet cues like "House Blues/The Porch Dance.." and "Noah's Journey" argue he's achieved something more elusive than mere melodramatic wallpaper with the deceivingly difficult task at hand; it can't be easy to have your work seasoned with the likes of Ellington's sassy "Alabamy Home" and Goodman's still-vibrant "One O'Clock Jump." Sharply contrasting versions of "I'll Be Seeing You" by Holiday and Jimmy Durante bookend the soundtrack, perfectly evoking the story's alternating shades of hope and fading nostalgia and framing Zigman's understated work in the bargain. --Jerry McCulley

Album Description

Based on the best selling novel by Nicholas Sparks ("A Walk To Remember", "Message In A Bottle"), "The Notebook" is the story of Noah and Allie, teenage lovers torn apart by WWII and Allie's parents' demands to marry a respectable lawyer. After 14 years apart, they meet again and rekindle their true love. Starring Ryan Gosling, Rachel McAdams, James Garner, and Gena Rowlands. The soundtrack is a propelling force. In addition to classic WWII era pieces, Aaron Zigman's score suites enhance the record with beautifully dramatic themes. Score performed by the Hollywood Studio Symphony.

Customer Reviews:

Touching.......2007-07-04

There isn't much I can say about this beautiful movie, except that it was so touching!
It say's go for the "true love", settle for nothing else no matter what may be in store, because love that is "true" and as beautiful as their's was, is a rare thing!
I absolutely loved the ending.
I also loved that a movie CAN be truly wonderful, beautiful and touching WITHOUT grafic "sex scenes!" Also sadly a rare thing in movies today.

Ever seen "Hanover Street?" Equally beautiful. No SEX scenes either!

Angelfish

Pays music a complement. I love the classical pieces!.......2007-05-27

I do not have the soundtrack to The Notebook, but I do have the movie itself. Having said that, every song is wonderful. Some music carries with it, a wealth of emotion and a sense of timelessness. I love all of the classical pieces , perhaps the best, in this particular movie. Classical has never been my speed when it comes down to music, but something about this movie's classical masterpieces struck a chord in me...made me smile and maybe even sniffle a bit. If you are a fan of the movie, I'm sure you would love its soundtrack too. Music like this is ideal for a romantic evening or just for pleasure listening. You don't know if you'll like something until you give it a chance! So give this a chance!!

the Notebook soundtrack (Audio CD).......2007-05-13

This is a beautiful collection of music from the movie, The Notebook. Most is instrumental, very relaxing, as well as lively at times. Two renditions of "I'll Be Seeing You" are included.

Very Nice.......2007-03-30

I really enjoyed listening to the soundtrack, but I'm also a big fan of background music and this cd was great for both. Listening to the cd took me back to the movie and reminded me how much I enjoyed it, but I also put the cd on during a nice meal with friends and it worked out very well, they all enjoyed the music.

A sweeping, emotional standout!.......2007-01-11

The music from The Notebook brings you right back to the film, capturing your heart and soul. It's music will roll live waves through your soul and bring you from nostalgia to your own feelings of love and desire. The selections, arrangements and orchestrations are to be admired, and Mr. Zigman is to be praised. This soundtrack truly completes the legacy of "The Notebook".

Average customer rating: Another Pinnacle This is Different Excellent The Duke and the First Lady of Song - a dream team Strong Chemistry

Ella at Duke's Place Ella Fitzgerald & Duke Ellington Manufacturer: Polygram Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Jazz | Styles | Music Swing General | Swing Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music Classic Big Band | Swing Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music Contemporary Big Band | Swing Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music Traditional Jazz General | Traditional Jazz & Ragtime | Jazz | Styles | Music Vocal Jazz General | Vocal Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music Classic Vocalists | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music Traditional Vocal Pop | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music General | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music Traditional Pop | Oldies | Pop | Styles | Music Similar Items: Nina Simone Sings the Blues Amazing Grace Diva Red Dirt Girl Ella & Basie ASIN: B000004718 Release Date: 1996-02-27

Tracks:

1. Something To Live For
2. A Flower Is A Lovesome Thing (AKA 'Passion')
3. Passion Flower
4. I Like The Sunrise
5. Azure
6. Imagine My Frustration
7. Duke's Place (AKA 'C-Jam Blues')
8. Brown-Skin Gal (In The Calico Gown)
9. What Am I Here For?
10. Cotton Tail

Amazon.com essential recording

Ella Fitzgerald made some of her greatest recordings with Duke Ellington and his band, including the extensive three-CD Ellington Songbook and the eight-CD Cote d'Azur Concerts. This session from 1965 is an excellent place to begin listening to the relationship, a self-contained set that joins Fitzgerald with the Duke and his still-great band. The brilliance of Fitzgerald's voice is apparent even when placed amid such great Ellingtonians as altoist Johnny Hodges and trumpeters Cootie Williams and Cat Anderson. She and Hodges are perfectly matched on subtle Billy Strayhorn tunes like "A Flower Is a Lovesome Thing" and "Passion Flower." --Stuart Broomer

Customer Reviews:

Another Pinnacle.......2007-02-03

Before hearing this summit meeting, I was prepared to call "Blue Rose" (see review) one of Duke's 3-4 greatest albums and certainly the most underrated. My 40-year-long ignorance about this consummate encounter between Duke and Ella tells me "Blue Rose" has competition in the underrated category.

This is Ellington at full strength (before the loss of Johnny Hodges) and Ella, too (before some of the wavering vibrato of the 1970s). Above all, it's a session that captures every delicate shade and hue of the exquisitely beautiful, albeit often challenging, music of Billy Strayhorn. There's no fooling around during this session, no jam session looseness, no programming to meet general consumer approval (starting the session with "Something to Live For" and "A Flower Is a Lovesome Thing" is in itself indicative of the seriousness of this project).

As respectful as this date is, there are fine moments by some of the Ellington stars--Hodges, Gonsalves, Cootie, Jimmy Hamilton, even Duke's piano. And to the usual brain trust of Duke and Stray, add the arranging talents of the wonderful Jimmy Jones (accompanist for Sarah, then Nancy Wilson). Ellingtonphiles will appreciate the inimitable orchestral colors and textures along with the absence of haste and sloppiness while at the same time discovering a more "personal" Ellington and Ella than on the 50s Songbook.

Anyone new to the pair might wish to save this one for later and start instead with the Duke-Ella Cote d'Azure date, where there's more scattin' and jammin'. And if you want to hear Ella singing the greatest C-Jam Blues/Duke's Place (the titles are always used interchangeably) of all time, there's only one recording worth considering: "Bluella."

This is Different.......2005-10-22

This 1965 recording is quite different from the 1957 Songbook meeting as it sounds like it was thoroughly rehearsed. This is a paradox, in my opinion, since the typical looseness of Duke's band is absent, resulting in a more rigid and mechanical performance. On the other hand, the band doesn't run over Ella as they often did on the Songbook. This is probably want Norman Granz was looking for the first time around when Duke, according to legend, showed up unprepared. I strongly prefer the Songbook though, in spite of its problems.

Excellent.......2004-03-26

Despite the fact that this is not one of Ella or Duke's best known albums, it is defintely one of the best. Ella was at perhaps her absoltue peak vocally when this was recorded in 1965, and I doubt that there is a living vocalist who could re-create many moments in the album. But it's not just about a wonderful voice; Ella puts a lot of soul and feeling into these songs. Her "Something to Live For" is so poignant that it is impossible to listen to it without being moved. The two "Flower" songs are excellent, expoliting her rich lower register to create intense longing and desire. "Sunrise" is again touching, the First Lady sings it with just the right blend of sadness and hope for a better day. "Azure" is awesome, especially after the full band drops out, leaving just Ella and Duke on piano to noodle around. "Frustration" is fun, with Ella wailing her heart out. "Duke's Place" is a also great, showing that Duke and Ella could do wonders with just two notes. "Brown Skin Gal in the Calico Gown" starts out as a soft, yearning ballad, and then becomes a flag-waving swinger. "What Am I Here For?" is sung by Ella with her tongue-in-cheek, like "How dare you leave me alone with nothing to look forward to?!" ;-) And finally, the closing "Cottontail" is unforgettable; it is truly one of the greatest vocal improvisations preserved on record.

Well, that's about it. Can you tell I liked this CD? :-P

The Duke and the First Lady of Song - a dream team.......2004-01-04

This is a musical reunion of Ella and Duke in 1965 since they created their monumental 1957 "Ella Sings Duke Ellington" album. The 1965 album brought back the musicians who made the 1957 album special and you can see that Ella is having a ball and in some cases, she reaches an intense emotionality very rarely associated with her, like my favorite Ellington tune "A Flower Is A Lovesome Thing." The key charts exploited her lower registers and she langoured in its vast richness. And as in the 1957 album, where rumours of under-rehearsals were rife, the 1965 album did nothing to dissipate those rumours. In songs like "Azure", one can sense that there was no rehearsal -- more like an extended jam session with Gonsalves trading obbligatos with Ella. Ella herself was at her loosest best where she playfully pushed her voice to exciting improvisatory limits. Highly recommended. Next to Count Basie, I think Ella is happiest when she works with the Duke. And can't anyone ever eclipse Ella's "Caravan"?

Strong Chemistry.......2000-03-11

Ella Fitzgerald is one of the worlds Greatest Vocalist ever.her voice is Diamond.together with One of The Greatest Teachers of Music Mr.Duke Ellington this disc is a must have.the Pairing of the two is Music History.her voice and the band are pure magic.you feel Admiration&genius on both parts.a strong chemistry.together they hit the right note.

Average customer rating: awesome!!!! Only one decent song Stunningly good Score! Track 14 / Worth the price of the CD A few standout tracks, but difficult to recommend on the whole.

The Island Manufacturer: Milan Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Movie Scores | Soundtracks | Styles | Music Movie Soundtracks | Soundtracks | Styles | Music General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music Marches | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music Classic Big Band | Swing Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music Similar Items: Batman Begins The Island Mr. and Mrs. Smith King Kong The Da Vinci Code ASIN: B0009X766E Release Date: 2005-07-26

Tracks:

1. The Island Awaits You
2. Where Do These Tubes Go?
3. Sector 6
4. Starkweather
5. Agnate Ukuleles
6. You Have A Special Purpose In Life
7. Mass Vehicular Carnage
8. Renovatio
9. I'm Not Ready To Die
10. This Tongue Thing's Amazing
11. Mass Winnings
12. The Craziest Mess I've Ever Seen
13. Send In The Clones
14. My Name Is Lincoln
15. Blow

Amazon.com

After supplying something known as "additional music" to many films since the late 1990s, Steve Jablonsky seems to have become the go-to composer for director-producer Michael Bay. Jablonsky's score for Bay's sci-fi thriller The Island shows the influence of its producer, Hans Zimmer. "The Island Awaits You" sets up the mood, which is oddly muted for a movie directed by explosion-master Bay. Even a track titled "Mass Vehicular Carnage" is merely ominously low-key, oddly sounding like something by dank trip-hopper Tricky. Elsewhere, the electronic number "Starkweather" successfully creates a feeling of oppressive tension before integrating elements of the main theme. Unfortunately, in his effort to avoid big ka-booms, Jablonsky can be overly subdued; while nothing is jarring, nothing makes much of an impression either. Actually, there is one jarring thing on this CD, and it's the Prom Kings' nu metal/funk hybrid "Blow," tacked on at the end like an afterthought. --Elisabeth Vincentelli

Customer Reviews:

awesome!!!!.......2007-02-18

The brooding post modern industrial feel to the songs on this soundtrack give it a feel of epic proportions. I simplely love it!!!...dark,foreboding, and eerily brilliant on every track....thank you Mr. Jablonsky!

Only one decent song.......2007-01-15

There's only one coherent actual song on this CD. The rest is just a collection of sound effects and short music bits. If you want that one song, the nice one at the very end, fine, but it's too bad there aren't more like it. I think they could have done better. I remember liking the movie soundtrack a lot - I don't think it translates very well to CD, though.

Stunningly good Score!.......2006-11-10

This is a hauntingly good score to a pretty darned good film, which for whatever whim of the masses was less than well received. I you like taiko drums, fast paced and wonderfully executed "world beat" music, this is definitely the score for you, I've played it again and again and it only gets better with each listening.

Track 14 / Worth the price of the CD.......2006-11-04

I agree with other reviewers here -- much of the music on the CD is simply supplemental to the film, is forgetable, nothing really stands out, there is a lack of melody. Only one track (# 14) "My Name is Lincoln" -- stands apart, offering a theme, melody, choir and resolution -- it is a signature bit of composing that, for me, is really worth the price of the CD.

A few standout tracks, but difficult to recommend on the whole........2006-10-27

I'm afraid to say that I find this CD somewhat difficult to recommend as a whole. Steve Jablonsky is a prodigiously talented composer with a bright future; as his score to 'Steamboy' and trailer music and additional themes for Pearl Harbor attests. And although Jablonsky has done his job well here - the Island score works splendidly in the film - on CD the persistent throbbing electronica and pervasive percussion comes off so harshly as to the point of being too abrasive for the listen to be enjoyable (and I'm a big fan of electronica!)

In comparison to something like Spy Game by Harry Gregson-Williams, which is a deep, subtle and nuanced electronic score, the Island is stark and aggressive, with much repetition, few discernable themes, and occasional sequences of outright garish and incoherent noise generated mostly by garbled electric guitars. With all this in mind, I feel the CD generally hovers around the two star mark.

However, there are a couple of BIG standout moments; namely 'The Island' theme itself; first featured on the opening track, and then later on track 10 and elsewhere, has a beautiful, haunting, ethereal quality to it, reminiscent of the opening minute of 'Injection' from the M:I-2 score. Similarly, 'This Tongue Thing's Amazing' and 'You Have a Special Purpose in Life' have long, stretches of warm orchestral music that are decidedly enjoyable and memorable.

Finally - and most importantly - the finale, 'My Name is Lincoln' is such a standout track that it deserves special attention. It's a warm, uplifting, inspiring theme which borrows heavily upon Gladiator's 'Now We Are Free', but with an epic choral backing which pushes it to even greater heights. It's incredible, probably one of my top 10 favourite film score tracks of all time, seriously.

If ever there was an album that you should consider purchasing as individual mp3 tracks, this one is it - a purchase of tracks 1, 2, 6, 10 and 14 will pretty much cover 95% of all the good bits.

Average customer rating: The last Gasp of the Big Band Era What ELSE is on this CD? Who really cares? Diminuendo in Blue and Crescendo in Blue Gonsalves Flirts With Woman in Audience A legendary performance burnished

Ellington At Newport 1956 Duke Ellington Manufacturer: Sony ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Jazz | Styles | Music Swing General | Swing Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music Classic Big Band | Swing Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music Contemporary Big Band | Swing Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music Orchestral Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music Similar Items: The Complete Atomic Basie The Hot Fives & Sevens Brilliant Corners Mingus Ah Um Moanin' ASIN: B00000IMYA Release Date: 1999-05-11

Tracks:

1. Star Spangled Banner
2. Father Norman O'Connor Introduces Duke & The Orchestra/Duke Introduces Tune & Anderson, Jackson...
3. Black And Tan Fantasy
4. Duke Introduces Cook & Tune
5. Tea For Two
6. Duke & Band Leave Stage/Father Norman O'Connor Talks About The Festival
7. Take The A Train
8. Duke Announces Strayhorn's A Train & Nance/Duke Introduces Festival Suite, Part I & Hamilton
9. Festival Suite: Part I - Festival Junction (Live)
10. Duke Announces Soloists; Introduces Part II (Live)
11. Festival Suite: Part II - Blues To Be There (Live)
12. Duke Announces Nance & Procope; Introduces Part III (Live)
13. Festival Suite: Part III - Newport Up
14. Duke Announces Hamilton, Gonsalves, & Terry/Duke Introduces Carney & Tune (Live)
15. Sophisticated Lady (Live)
16. Duke Announces Grissom & Tune (Live)
17. Day In, Day Out (Live)
18. Duke Introduces Tune(s) And Paul Gonsalves Interludes (Live)
19. Diminuendo In Blues And Crescendo In Blue (Live)
20. Announcements, Pandemonium (Live)
21. Pause Track

Tracks:

1. Duke Introduces Johnny Hodges
2. I Got It Bad (And That Ain't Good) (Live)
3. Jeep's Blues (Live)
4. Duke Calms Crowd; Introduces Nance & Tune
5. Tulip Or Turnip
6. Riot Prevention
7. Skin Deep
8. Mood Indigo
9. Studio Concert (Excerpts)
10. Father Norman O'Connor Introduces Duke Ellington/Duke Introduces New Work, Part I, & Hamilton
11. Festival Suite: Part I - Festival Junction
12. Duke Announces Soloists; Introduces Part II (Production)
13. Festival Suite: Part II - Blues To Be There
14. Duke Announes Nance & Procope; Introduces Part III (Production)
15. Festival Suite: Part III - Newport Up (Production)
16. Duke Announces Hamilton, Gonsalves, & Terry/Duke Introduces Johnny Hodges (Production)
17. I Got It Bad (And That Ain't Good) (Production)
18. Jeep's Blues (Studio)
19. Pause Track

Amazon.com essential recording

When Duke Ellington took his orchestra to the Newport Jazz Festival in 1956, the band was in need of an uplift, some humongous event that would revitalize its image in the wake of bebop, hard bop, and so many more jazz currents. Ellington got the lift he needed when he called "Diminuendo in Blue" with set-closer "Crescendo in Blue" tacked on the end. Tenor saxophonist Paul Gonsalves got the nod from Ellington to segue from "Diminuendo" to "Crescendo," and he blew doors. With one rousing 27-chorus solo, Gonsalves blew a fever into the crowd and jump-started Ellingtonia for another generation. Trouble with all this is that the living document of the Newport show is almost fully manufactured, recorded in a studio with crowd madness dubbed in. So this two-CD historical correction is an awesome addition to the centennial-era reissues on Columbia (including Anatomy of a Murder, Such Sweet Thunder, First Time: Count Meets the Duke, and Black, Brown and Beige). The producers revisited the Newport gig after four decades because they discovered an extant Voice of America tape--the one whose microphone Gonsalves blew his solo into, and the VOA tape catches the whole Newport set in its organic glory. Alternately tender with layers of brushstroke orchestration and blazing with the band's well-seasoned tightness, this new Newport is one for the generalist and the Ellington completist. It's got the revived original gig as well as the original commercial release. And they make great siblings, illustrative of the live-event charm and the music industry's dogged labors in reinventing it on record. --Andrew Bartlett

Customer Reviews:

The last Gasp of the Big Band Era.......2007-06-27

Perhaps that isn't a totally fair statement but rock and roll meant the end of the big band era. Here the Ellington band got back together after a short hiatus and produced some great music. I like the Newport Suite and the standards. Jimmy Hamilton, an underrated clarinetist, is very impressive. And of course, Johnny Hodges, Harry Carney, Clark Terry and Britt Woodman contribute great solos. Diminuendo in Blue and Crescendo in Blue is exciting but the solo by Paul Gonsalves has always been overrated. If you want to hear a great extended tenor sax solo in concert, listen to Rahsaan Roland Kirk on Perdido with Charles Mingus at Carnegie Hall. This aside, there is much to like here and things were never the same again.

What ELSE is on this CD? Who really cares?.......2007-04-29

I've owned this record ("record" - what an old-fashioned word!), in some form or another, for about thirty-five years. And today is Duke's birthday anniversary, and Diminuendo and Crescendo was on the radio, and I listened. And the goosebumps came, and the tears of joy and emotion still flowed. The sense of occasion is matched by the magnificence of the performance - one of the greatest ever performances by the greatest band of all time. And, by the way, a masterpiece composition which did not receive its due on the original recording. What is NOT great here? Some of the highpoints: Jimmy Woode's pedal points in Diminuendo, Hodges' fills in Crescendo, the strutting Trombone section of Woodman, Jackson and Sanders - a miracle of section playing. Duke's jabs and fills (of course!), Woodyard in what is possibly the highpoint of his career, Cat Anderson taking us home at the end. Oh - and Paul Gonsalves! This performance is the apotheosis of everything from the wildest New Orleans Street Parade to the wailingest Albert Ayler collective avant-gospel freakout - and all what is in between. If you don't have this...well, why DON'T you have this?

Diminuendo in Blue and Crescendo in Blue.......2007-01-29

Specially, I like the long solo of Bud Gonsalves. It's really swings.

Gonsalves Flirts With Woman in Audience.......2006-05-08

There is so much wonderful writing on this release already, so I will make it quick. On Ken Burns History of Jazz, George Wein talks about this marvelous concert. He said that a very attractive blonde woman was dancing in an isle to Diminuendo in Blue/Crescendo in Blue. Gonsalves was "playing to this woman" and it caused quite a stir in the audience. Ellington then spurred Gonsalves to continue on and on. A great historical anecdote that makes the recording even more special. The fact that this performance is reputed to have rekindled Ellington's career makes it all seem more fun!

A legendary performance burnished.......2006-04-01

In the reviews that I read (not all), I did not see a mention of what an excellent job Columbia did in the remastering. I owned the LP when it was first issued and it has been a lifelong favorite; so it was a very pleasant surprise to hear how much the sound was improved on this release. (The whole series of recent Columbia remasterings is excellent.)

A legendary performance? Oh yeahhh, the missing Voice of America tape, Philly Jo Jones driving the band (apocryphally) with a rolled up newspaper, and the Dancing Blonde In The Black Dress who got the crowd on their feet and roaring during the Gonsalves solo. The Time cover, and the renaissance of the band. And a performance that easily supports the weight of the legends...

The format of this release, complete and with the studio recordings appended, is very interesting; it corrects and completes the historical record. It's good to hear the studio recordings, now seeming oversmooth and plump, in comparison to the real thing.

I consider it an essential recording.

Average customer rating: One of the best ever! Kristen Chenowith Has its moments Great CD! This woman has what it takes, and then some...

Let Yourself Go Kristin Chenoweth , Jule Styne , George Gershwin , Richard Rodgers , Jeanine Tesori , Kurt Weill , Jerome Kern , Vincent Youmans , Ricky Ian Gordon , Richard Dworsky , Lawrence Ellington Duke / Brown , Harry Warren , Bobby Troup , Jason Alexander , Irving Berlin , Rob Fisher , and The Coffee Club Orchestra Manufacturer: Sony ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Gershwin | Gershwin, George | ( G ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Weill | Weill, Kurt | ( W ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Marches | Theatrical, Incidental & Program Music | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Chamber Music | Forms & Genres | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Vocal & Song | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Movie Scores | Soundtracks | Styles | Music Movie Soundtracks | Soundtracks | Styles | Music General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music Traditional Vocal Pop | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music General | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music General | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music Traditional Pop | Oldies | Pop | Styles | Music Opera & Vocal | The Sony BMG Masterworks Store | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music Musicals | The Sony BMG Masterworks Store | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music Similar Items: As I Am Still I Can't Be Still You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown (1999 Broadway Revival Cast) Leonard Bernstein's Candide (Great Performances) WICKED: THE GRIMMERIE, A BEHIND-THE-SCENES LOOK AT THE HIT BROADWAY MUSICAL ASIN: B000059T4T Release Date: 2001-05-29

Tracks:

1. Let Yourself Go
2. If
3. How Long Has This Been Going On?
4. My Funny Valentine
5. Hanging Around with You (with Jason Alexander)
6. The Girl in 14G
7. I'll Tell the Man in the Street
8. I'm a Stranger Here Myself
9. Nobody Else But Me
10. Nobody's Heart Belongs to Me/Why Can't I?
11. Should I Be Sweet?
12. He's Just an Ordinary Guy
13. Going to the Dance with You
14. On a Turquoise Cloud
15. You'll Never Know
16. Daddy

Amazon.com

Kristin Chenoweth won a Tony for the supporting role of Sally Brown in the 1999 revival of You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown, made a memorably vampy Lily in the 1999 television film of Annie, and had an NBC sitcom created for her, Kristin! Now she grabs the spotlight in Let Yourself Go, her first solo recording. She mixes torchy standards ("My Funny Valentine," "How Long Has This Been Going On?") with Faith Prince-style sauciness ("If"), gets to show off her operatic and scat chops in the miniplay "The Girl in 14G," and shares a light duet with Jason Alexander (reviving his musical theater career post-Seinfeld). Perhaps her "Stranger Here Myself" isn't the weightiest you've ever heard, but this is an enjoyable album with a good deal of old-fashioned class, expertly accompanied by Rob Fisher and the Coffee Club Orchestra. --David Horiuchi

Customer Reviews:

One of the best ever!.......2007-04-24

Do I mean the best album or the best singer? You are correct if you said both! I saw Kristin Chenoweth on a PBS show "Broadway's Best at the Pops," (though it was not the first time I had heard her) and decided to check out the offerings here. This is a collection of the kind of music and performances I love. She has a great range, a precise pitch, and a great style that is at the same time true to the music and to herself. In an era when singers try to outdo each other re-interpreting the composer's original work, not usually with great success, she is a blessing!

Kristen Chenowith.......2007-02-26

I bought this CD for the Girl in 14G. Yes, it's that good...

Has its moments.......2007-02-19

After watching Candide endlessly and going to see Ms. Chenoweth in The Apple Tree, I was hungry for something more portable to listen to. At times this fits the bill, but what surprised me the most is how thin her voice comes across on this recording. Perhaps it was the joy of seeing her live that has ruined this listener; perhaps I need to upgrade my aging music system. Then again, maybe the recording is just not as good as Ms. C singing Bernstein or as good as staring at Ms. C command a Broadway stage.

Great CD!.......2007-01-19

I truly enjoy listening to this CD. Kristin Chenoweth's vocal style and abilities are very well-matched to the songs selected for this album. If you enjoy classic, older-style Broadway/popular tunes, I would highly recommend this CD. Ms. Chenoweth has a bright, expressive voice and does a fantastic job with this material.

As with any full-length CD, there are a couple of songs I am not as crazy about, but that has to do with the songs themselves, not Ms. Chenoweth's vocal performance. Overall, I love this album and have listened to it several times now, since receiving it as a Christmas gift last month.

This woman has what it takes, and then some..........2007-01-12

Kristin Chenoweth brings new life to some timeless Broadways tunes while introducing a few wonderful new ones. This high pitched vocal goddess effortlessly provides for a nearly flawless and easy listening experience. I definitly recommend this CD for anyone who enjoys jazz vocals, showtunes, or just a new spin on some old classics.

Average customer rating: Sweet Compilation Inconsistency at its finest Poor quality of recordings is distracting Crackle for ambience, Ellington forever The Great Duke Ellington!

The Very Best of Duke Ellington Duke Ellington Manufacturer: RCA ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Jazz | Styles | Music Swing General | Swing Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music Classic Big Band | Swing Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music Contemporary Big Band | Swing Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music Orchestral Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music Similar Items: The Very Best of Benny Goodman Glenn Miller - Greatest Hits Tommy Dorsey - Greatest Hits [RCA] The Very Best of Artie Shaw Artie Shaw - Greatest Hits ASIN: B000050G83 Release Date: 2000-11-07

Tracks:

1. Take The 'A' Train
2. Warm Valley
3. Cotton Tail
4. Jack The Bear
5. Concerto For Cootie
6. Black And Tan Fantasy
7. East Saint Louis Toodle-O
8. The Mooche
9. Mood Indigo
10. Rockin' In Rhythm
11. Creole Rhapsody, Part 1
12. I Got It Bad (And That Ain't Good)
13. Don't You Know I Care (Or Don't You Care To Know)
14. Chelsea Bridge
15. Work Song
16. Caravan
17. Perdido
18. Isfahan
19. Blood Count
20. Come Sunday

Customer Reviews:

Sweet Compilation.......2006-02-24

An excellent variety of Duke Ellington's music which includes both vocals and instrumentals. While the quality of each recording is not perfect, the imprefections add to the ambience associated with listening to the originals on the radio.

Inconsistency at its finest.......2005-03-02

This CDs recordings span 40 years, and that should account for some of the difference in sound quality. However, I have some of these same records in my collection, which sound better and cleaner than the transfers here. "Warm Valley" is particularly disappointing; there is substantial swish and crackle throughout which could have been minimized very easily. Some of the work is wonderful, some is awful. I would expect better from BMG.

Poor quality of recordings is distracting.......2004-11-06

I sought out this disk as an intro to Duke Ellington's work and to acquire a recording of "Take the 'A' Train." "'A' Train" is without vocals on this disk, which was disappointing for me. Guess I'll have to look elsewhere for a vocal rendition of that piece. ("I Got It Bad...", "Don't You Know...", "Come Sunday" all have excellent vocals on this disk)

Also dissapointing is the quality of many of the recordings. Perhaps this is as good as it gets in terms of what survives today. If so, that's a shame. Hiss and scratches are prominent, particularly in "Mood Indigo" and "Creole Rhapsody." Also, many of the solo instruments seem overdriven (I might even say too loud for their respective mixes), causing distortion in the early songs on the disk -- "Warm Valley", "Jack The Bear", and "Rockin' In Rhythm" in particular. In general, sound quality does improve as you get deeper into the CD and encounter the more recent recordings.

My Duke Ellington knowledge is limited, but if asked if I would recommend this disk as a way of introduction, I would say no. There must be something better out there.

Crackle for ambience, Ellington forever.......2003-12-05

There's some slight crackling on this disc, but it's not bad at all, just enough to add some extra ambience to all those freezing winter evenings spent at home on your couch under the toasty glow of Duke Ellington and His Famous Orchestra. The recordings on this compilation date from between 1928 and 1966, so the sound quality varies, but it's never annoying. As for the Duke's music, if you ever get tired of "Take The 'A' Train", "Cotton Tail", or "Isfahan", you're nuts.

The Great Duke Ellington!.......2003-05-17

Once again, I am back with a Duke review. And I say, "SUPERB!" My favorite is, "Take the A train" among others. The level of the bass on this song must have been heart pounding when heard live, judging from this CD; I'd say it was very noticeable. There was a hint of old recording crackling in the background when heard through earphones, but the recordings really were very clear. I could listen to this CD all day long. Another great CD I recommend.

Average customer rating: ellington & armstrong One of my favorite cds awesome It's hard to beat the classics High Peak

The Great Summit: The Master Takes Louis Armstrong & Duke Ellington Manufacturer: Blue Note Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Jazz | Styles | Music Swing General | Swing Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music Traditional Jazz General | Traditional Jazz & Ragtime | Jazz | Styles | Music Vocal Jazz General | Vocal Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music Traditional Vocal Pop | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music General | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music Traditional Pop | Oldies | Pop | Styles | Music Blue Note Records | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music General | Jazz | Indie Music | Stores | Music Traditional Jazz | Jazz | Indie Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: First Time: The Count Meets the Duke Duke Ellington & John Coltrane Louis Armstrong Plays W.C. Handy Piano Reflections Satch Plays Fats: The Music of Fats Waller ASIN: B00005614N Release Date: 2001-01-09

Tracks:

1. Duke's Place
2. I'm Just A Lucky So And So
3. Cottontail
4. Mood Indigo
5. Do Nothin' Till You Hear From Me
6. The Beautiful American
7. Black And Tan Fantasy
8. Drop Me Off In Harlem
9. The Mooche
10. In A Mellow Tone
11. It Don't Mean A Thing (If It Ain't Got That Swing)
12. Solitude
13. Don't Get Around Much Anymore
14. I'm Beginning To See The Light
15. Just Squeeze Me
16. I Got It Bad (And That Ain't Good)
17. Azalea

Amazon.com

For starters, The Great Summit produced not only itself, both with this Master Takes set and the two-CD Complete Sessions, but also a later summit, Count Basie and Ellington's tandem showdown, First Time. On its own, though, The Great Summit needs no later chapters to justify its celebrated standing in jazz annals. This was and is terrifically important music: Ellington is in grand form between recording the Paris Blues soundtrack and cutting ace sessions like Duke Ellington Meets Coleman Hawkins and Duke Ellington and John Coltrane in late 1962. For his part, Armstrong was on leave as well, resting up between ceaseless tours as a bona fide jazz superstar and veteran. So Ellington and Armstrong join hands, backed by the latter's band (Trummy Young on trombone, Barney Bigard on clarinet, Mort Herbert on bass, and Danny Barcelona on drums), tackling 17 of Duke's tunes. Armstrong's sweet, rolling vocal growl gives the tunes endless hugs, just as his band both cuts plump solos and then backs way off so Ellington can throw down alternately swinging and unapologetically modernist solos himself. --Andrew Bartlett

Album Description

Louis Armstrong and Duke Ellington the most important artists in the history of jazz and the two most influential American musicians of the 20th Century. Because of their centennials (1999 for Duke and 2000 for Louis), their great legacy is celebrating a worldwide rennaissnce. And this month, they are the focus and the continum in Ken Burns' JAZZ, a 20-hour documentary to be broadcast on PBS. In April, 1961, these two giants got togethr in a New York studio for their only encounter. Louis brought his trumpet, voice and the all-stars with Trummy Young and Barney Bigard. Duke brought his pianistic talents and a considerable canon of great compositions. The magic that transpired over one night and the following afternoon was an historic simgularity.

This disc contains all 17 master takes that made during those magical sessions, newly remixed from the original tapes with 24-bit/96kHz mastering for maximum fidelity, far superior to the previous mid-price CD issue.

PERSONNEL:
Louis Armstrong (trumpet,vocals), Trummy Young (trombone), Barney Bigard (clarinet), Duke Ellington (piano), Mort Herbert (bass), Danny Barcelona (drums).

Customer Reviews:

ellington & armstrong.......2007-01-16

simply wonderful - two of my favorite musical artists....period. this proves why their fans have endured.

One of my favorite cds.......2007-01-15

If you're not into Jazz, you'll still love this CD.

awesome.......2007-01-04

the title says it all. two giants of jazz at their best. positively sublime. a must for all jazz lovers.

It's hard to beat the classics.......2006-08-15

Sure, these guys have been gone a long time and this was recorded a decade before that, If you've listened to any classic jazz, you've almost certainly heard cuts from this album. It's still a joy to listen to and a gem to hear it in its entirity. The compositions are all Ellington's, but Satchmo and Duke make the music theirs together. Mercifully, there are no "bonus track" outtakes here, but plenty of music nonetheless. Aside from the pure talent of Armstrong and Ellington -- and their sidemen -- there is a chemistry between these two very different jazz legends. To my ear, there is an enthusiasm at their only pairing in their respective 50 year careers, and a spontaneity that gives it a unique energy. Underproduced by today's standards and under-rehearsed by their standards, the production is clean and energic. Recorded in RCA's great Manhattan studios and masterfully remastered, the recording itself is second to none. Groundbreaking? No, but still a landmark because of what it is. Best of all, though, it's just really, really wonderful to listen to.

High Peak.......2006-05-05

I write this as a Louis Armstrong fan. I respect Duke Ellington, but I haven't heard nearly as much of his output as I have of Louis Armstrong's. My judgment is more about Satchmo's performance here than about Ellington's.
I consider this an example of Armstrong showing a musical colleague how much he cares about all music. At this point in Armstrong's career he had committed most of his repertoire to Long-Playing vinyl. It's easy to forget that, in 1961, many of the classic 78s of the jazz era had still not been transferred to LP, and it is easy to forget that such transfers were not necessarily cleaned up for playback. This is my roundabout way of saying that, in re-recording much of his own material, Armstrong, throughout the fifties, was playing music he'd played since the twenties. He and the All-Stars, his small combo founded in the forties, were well attuned to each other and waxed some of the greatest performances of Armstrong's career, live or in the studio. But Armstrong had only been recorded with Ellington very rarely previously. I am not certain, but I think there are literally a couple of songs he and Ellington played live on the air in the late 1930s, and I wouldn't be very surprised if they played once or twice without being recorded at other times. But they'd never really sat down and worked out a set until 1961, when they were both in New York at the same time and had the opportunity. The songs on this album were not songs Armstrong played in his stage shows and he didn't make records of them. But he was not caught short here. He knew this material, either because he learned it for this project or because he'd been listening to this music for years, and he understood it. The marvelous thing is he clearly cared for it. Armstrong sets aside his personality for THE GREAT SUMMIT, or, more to the point, he set aside everybody else's expectations and interprets the lyrics in all their somber beauty. His trumpet is earnest here. His trumpet is always full-bodied, but on this project, Louis Armstrong is not, if you will, playing the showman, but expressing, through his trumpet, the music of another genius. It may be the most giving performance of his career. And that's saying a lot, given that his career is full of high peaks.
I sometimes put this CD on when I go to bed at night. It sounds like New York City. There's a breeze, some laughter in the air, and cameraderie. Two musical innovators commenting on what they see, for all to hear.

Rap Music:

1. Going for the One [Original recording remastered]
2. Grace Like Rain
3. Grassroots [Explicit Lyrics]
4. Hi Hi Puffy Amiyumi: Music From the Series [Enhanced] [Soundtrack]
5. Hits [Original recording remastered]
6. If You Didn't Laugh You'd Cry
7. Importance of Being Idle [CD-single] [Import]
8. In a Coma: 1995-2005 [Import]
9. Into the Purple Valley
10. Invisible Touch

Rap Music

rap music

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