Duke Ellington: Copenhagen (1965) Parts One and Two

Ho-hum: another day, another topnotch Duke Ellington concert on DVD. The last couple of years have seen the release of The Big Band Feeling, from 1952; Live at Tivoli Gardens in Denmark, featuring two sets from 1971; and The Intimate Duke Ellington, recorded in Copenhagen in 1967. Now here's yet another two-set show from Denmark, and while it may not be quite up to the standards of the earlier releases, Copenhagen (1965) Parts One and Two has its share of delights. Many of Ellington's greatest musicians are on hand, including saxophonists Johnny Hodges and Paul Gonsalves, clarinetist Jimmy Hamilton, and trumpeter Cat Anderson—there's even a rare appearance by Billy Strayhorn, Ellington's most important collaborator. A number of hits are performed (including “Take the ‘A' Train,” with composer Strayhorn on piano; “Chelsea Bridge,” a gorgeous ballad also written by Strayhorn; “Satin Doll,” and "Things Ain't What They Used to Be”), but much of the program is given over to more unusual numbers, including three selections from "Black, Brown & Beige,” Ellington's self-described “history of the Negro in America” (dig Hodges' solo on “Come Sunday,” where he caresses the notes from his alto as if whispering through silk). Perhaps of equal interest is the band itself: several shots find Gonsalves, an incorrigible drinker and druggie, literally nodded out with his horn still in his mouth; yet minutes later he stands up and blows 15 solo choruses on “Blow by Blow.” Elsewhere, violinist Ray Nance mugs shamelessly on “He Huffed and He Puffed and Blew the Horn,” while the rest of the musicians look on with utter disinterest (that is, when they're not chatting and/or yawning on the bandstand). Still, Ellington's music is so strong, and the musicians so experienced, that even this weirdness barely detracts from what is overall a worthy performance (filmed in black-and-white and sounding great here in remastered Dolby Digital mono). Recommended. Aud: C, P. (S. Graham)