Bennett Sings Ellington: Hot & Cool (1999)

About this title: Tony Bennett's practically inevitable commemoration of the Duke Ellington centenary is an appropriately blue-chip affair, with a big band and orchestra augmenting the Ralph Sharon Quartet on arrangements by Jorge Calandrelli, who has slowed the tempos to give the singer time to give intimate interpretations to the lyrics of songs like "Mood Indigo" and "Sophisticated Lady." Especially impressive are the less familiar tunes, such as "Azure" and "Day Dream." The slowest tunes also leave room for expressive solos by trombonist Al Grey and trumpeter Wynton Maralis ("Mood Indigo") and violinist ... read more

Tracks:

1. Do Nothin' Till You Hear from Me [Ellington/Russell]
2. Mood Indigo [Bigard/Ellington/Mi]
3. She's Got It Bad (And That Ain't Good) [Ellington/Webster]
4. Caravan [Ellington/Mills/Tiz]
5. Chelsea Bridge [Strayhorn]
6. Azure [Ellington/Mills]
7. I'm Just a Lucky So and So [David/Ellington]
8. In a Sentimental Mood [Ellington/Kurtz/Mil]
9. Don't Get Around Much Anymore [Ellington/Russell]
10. Sophisticated Lady [Ellington/Parish/Mi]
11. In a Mellow Tone [Ellington/Gabler]
12. Day Dream [Ellington/Strayhorn]
13. Prelude to a Kiss [Ellington/Gordon/Mi]
14. It Don't Mean a Thing (If It Ain't Got That Swing) [Ellington/Mills]

Note: This is a general synopsis. Each listing is further described below.