Any Ellington is good Ellington, but this double-set hour-long offering is on a higher level entirely. The first set (both are black & white, recorded in Copenhagen in 1967) finds him exploring lesser known material both solo and with a trio on tunes such as the tranquil “Meditation” and the minor blues “On the Fringe of the Jungle” (with an astonishing Rufus Jones drum solo); set two brings on the brilliant saxophonists Harry Carney and Johnny Hodges, trumpeter Cat Anderson, and other Ellington stalwarts for “Sophisticated Lady” and more. It is all sublime (just try not to be moved by Hodges' playing on “Passion Flower”). Indeed, in these troubled times, Duke Ellington's music is a tribute to humankind's better angels. A must have for Ellington fans, and sure to be appreciated by music lovers, in general, this is highly recommended. Editor's Choice. Aud: C, P. (S. Graham)
The Intimate Duke Ellington
(1967) 60 min. DVD: $19.99. Image Entertainment (avail. from most distributors). Color cover. Volume 18, Issue 4
The Intimate Duke Ellington
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