Ellingtonia at it's pre-Webster/Blanton best
09/29/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Recorded at the Cotton Club, this beautifully packaged 2-CD, 22-song set is a must for Duke Ellington fans. This is not a live show recording (some applause can be heard in spots). It's well-mastered, though some fans may question the sound quality (It was 1938, in a club no less!). It's fascinating listening to the Ellington orchestra at it's New York home base. The band is tight and bright toned and singer Ivie Anderson enjoys herself with some improvisation. Though there is not one bad tune in the whole collection, the highlights are: "Echoes of Harlem," "Three Blind Mice," "Dinah's In A Jam," "Rockin' In Rhythm," "Harmony In Harlem," "Downtown Uproar," "The Gal From Joe's," and "Riding On A Blue Note." For Ivie Anderson fans there are vocals that until now were not released on CD: "If Dreams Come True," "It's the Dreamer In Me," "Have A Heart," "At Your Beck and Call" and "You Went To My Head." Personnel: Duke Ellington (p), Wallace Jones (t) (recently having replaced Arthur Whetsol), Rex Stewart (t), Cootie Williams (t), Tricky Sam Nanton (tb), Juan Tizol (tb), Lawrence Brown (tb), Otto Hardwicke (rds), Barney Bigard (rds), Johnny Hodges (rds), Harry Carney (rds), Fred Guy (g), Hayes Alvis (b), Billy Taylor (b), Sonny Greer (d) and Miss Ivie Anderson (v)."