The Essential Duke Ellington [Sony] (2005)

About this title: The Essential Duke Ellington, a two-CD set, differs from previous Columbia/Legacy Duke Ellington reissues in that the music is drawn not only from Sony's vaults but from BMG's vaults, too. Four selections are from the 1920s, 20 date from the 1930s, seven are from the 1940s, and the final six were recorded between 1950 and 1960. Is this an essential acquisition? Most Ellington collectors will already have all of these performances in more complete fashion, while general collectors should realize that this two-fer does not cover Ellington's final 14 years and largely overlooks most of the ... read more

Tracks:

1. East St. Louis Toodle-Oo [Ellington/Miley]
2. Black and Tan Fantasy [Ellington/Miley]
3. Take It Easy [Ellington]
4. Hot and Bothered [Ellington]
5. The Mooche [Ellington]
6. Rockin' in Rhythm [Ellington/Carney/Mi]
7. Creole Rhapsody [Ellington]
8. It Don't Mean a Thing (If It Ain't Got That Swing) [Ellington/Mills]
9. Creole Love Call [Ellington]
10. Sophisticated Lady [Ellington]
11. Drop Me Off in Harlem [Ellington/Kenny]
12. Solitude [DeLange/Mills/Ellin]
13. In a Sentimental Mood [Ellington]
14. Back Room Romp [Ellington/Stewart]
15. Clouds in My Heart [Ellington/Bigard/Mi]
16. Echoes of Harlem [Ellington]
17. Caravan [Ellington/Tizol]
18. Blue Reverie [Ellington/Carney]
19. Diminuendo in Blue [Ellington]
20. Crescendo in Blue [Ellington]
21. I Let a Song Go Out of My Heart [Ellington/Nemo/Mill]
22. Pyramid [Ellington/Mills/Tiz]
23. Prelude to a Kiss [Gordon/Mills/Elling]
24. Tired Socks [Hodges]
25. Mood Indigo [Mills/Bigard/Elling]
26. Ko Ko [Ellington]
27. Don't Get Around Much Anymore [Russell/Ellington]
28. Cotton Tail [Ellington]
29. Take the "A" Train [Strayhorn]
30. Harlem Air-Shaft [Ellington]
31. Do Nothin' 'Til You Hear From Me [Ellington/Russell]
32. Satin Doll [Ellington]
33. Perdido [Tizol]
34. Come Sunday [Ellington]
35. Jeep's Blues [Ellington/Hodges]
36. Black Beauty [Ellington]
37. Arabesque Cookie [Tchaikovsky]

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