Ellington,Duke Treasury Shows 8 CD

Duke Ellington & Orchestra: Duke Ellington (piano); Ray Nance (vocals, trumpet, violin); Kay Davis, Al Hibbler, Joya Sherrill (vocals); Johnny Hodges, Otto Hardwick (alto saxophone); Jimmy Hamilton (tenor saxophone, clarinet); Al Sears (tenor saxophone); Rex Stewart, Taft Jordan, Shelton Hemphill, Cat Anderson (trumpet); Joseph Nanton, Lawrence Brown, Claude Jones (trombone); Billy Strayhorn (piano); Fred Guy (guitar); Junior Raglin (bass); Sonny Greeer (drums). Recorded on July 14 & September 21, 1945. During 1945 and 1946, Duke Ellington recorded a number of broadcast transcriptions for use by the U. S. Treasury Department to promote the sale of war bonds. This eighth volume, issued by Storyville, is yet another two-disc set that compiles three different broadcasts. While the sound quality is decent for the soloists and only so-so for the whole band, the occasional rarity like "Let the Zoomers Drool" or "Ultra Violet, " as well as superb renditions of favorites like "C Jam Blues, " "Ko-Ko, " and "Main Stem" will be of interest to Ellington collectors. A surprise inclusion is Ellington's nearly 12-minute tone poem from 1935, "Reminiscing in Tempo, " though it was no favorite of star soloists like Johnny Hodges, who preferred opportunities to blow. But this volume falls a little bit short in value compared to earlier sets in the series, because of inconsistent sound quality and overall programs that are not as interesting as a typical Ellington concert, though at least the long medleys of hits always featured in his later years are not present. - Ken Dryden.

1. Take the "A" Train [Opening Theme] 2. In the Shade of the Old Apple Tree 3. Kissing Bug 4. Ellington Bond Promo 5. Bugle Breaks 6. Friend of Yours 7. West Indian Dance 8. Ellington Bond Promo 9. Tonight I Shall Sleep (With a Smile on My Face) 10. Stomp, Look and Listen 11. I'm Beginning to See the Light [Station Break] 12. Take the "A" Train (Theme) [Broadcast Return] 13. (Medley) the Magazine Suite: Downbeat Shuffle 14. (Medley) the Magazine Suite: Esquire Swank 15. (Medley) the Magazine Suite: Metronome All Out [Ellington Bond Promo] 16. If You Are But a Dream 17. Bluetopia 18. Candy 19. Ellington Bond Promo 20. Main Stem 21. Take the "A" Train [Broadcast Close] 22. Midriff 23. Door Will Open 24. My Little Brown Book 25. Stomp, Look and Listen 26. Waiting for the Train to Come in 27. Diminuendo in Blue 28. Rocks in My Bed 29. Crescendo in Blue 30. Everything But You [Broadcast Close] 31. Take the "A" Train [Opening Theme] 32. In a Mellow Tone 33. Wish I Wish Tonight 34. Ellington Bond Promo 35. C Jam Blues 36. Ultra Violet 37. There's No You 38. Emancipation Celebration 39. Don't Get Around Much Anymore 40. Let the Zoomers Drool [Station Break] 41. Take the "A" Train (Theme) [Broadcast Return] 42. Reminiscing in Tempo 43. Everything But You [Ellington Bond Promo] 44. Ko Ko 45. Mood to Be Wooed 46. Tea for Two 47. Ellington Bond Promo 48. Blues on the Double 49. Things Ain't What They Used to Be [Broadcast Close]