The Duke Steps Out [ASV/Living Era] (2004)

About this title: Duke Steps Out -- "Duke Ellington in the '20s" is a single-disc, 24-track overview of his earliest recordings with Decca during the Cotton Club era. Several Ellington standards are introduced including "Creole Love Call," "Black and Tan Fantasy," "East St. Louis Toodle-Oo" and "The Mooche," along with the first glimpse of crucial Ellington orchestra members Johnny Hodges, Tricky Sam Nanton, Barney Bigard, Cootie Williams Harry Carney and Otto Hardwick. This collection serves as an enjoyable career overview alongside Living Era's companion set In the Forties. Al Campbell, All Music Guide

Tracks:

1. East St. Louis Toodle-Oo [Ellington/Miley]
2. Choo Choo (Gotta Hurry Home) [Ellington/Ringle]
3. Birmingham Breakdown [Ellington]
4. Creole Love Call [Ellington/Miley/Jac]
5. The Blues I Love to Sing [Ellington/Miley]
6. Black and Tan Fantasy [Ellington/Miley]
7. Washington Wobble [Ellington]
8. Take It Easy [Ellington]
9. Black Beauty [Ellington]
10. Jubilee Stomp [Ellington]
11. The Mooche [Ellington]
12. Hot and Bothered [Ellington]
13. Awful Sad [Ellington]
14. The Blues With a Feelin' [Ellington]
15. Misty Mornin' [Ellington/Whetsol]
16. Tiger Rag [LaRocca]
17. Doin' the Voom Voom [Ellington/Miley]
18. Rent Party Blues [Ellington/Hodges]
19. The Dicty Glide [Ellington]
20. Hot Feet [McHugh/Fields]
21. Stevedore Stomp [Ellington/Mills]
22. Cotton Club Stomp [Hodges/Carney/Ellin]
23. Saratoga Swing [Bigard/Mills]
24. The Duke Steps Out [Ellington/Hodges/Wi]

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