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Dukes Men: Small Groups 1
Duke Ellington
Dukes Men: Small Groups 1
Genres: Jazz, Pop
 
  •  Track Listings (23) - Disc #1
  •  Track Listings (22) - Disc #2

The Ellington band was always a group of great soloists who often contributed far more than solos to Duke's music: both a set of rare and distinct tones and a fertile source of melodic ideas. A key part of Ellington's tale...  more »

     
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CD Details

All Artists: Duke Ellington
Title: Dukes Men: Small Groups 1
Members Wishing: 1
Total Copies: 0
Label: Sony
Original Release Date: 7/23/1991
Release Date: 7/23/1991
Genres: Jazz, Pop
Styles: Swing Jazz, Traditional Jazz & Ragtime
Number of Discs: 2
SwapaCD Credits: 2
UPCs: 074644699524, 074644699548

Synopsis

Amazon.com essential recording
The Ellington band was always a group of great soloists who often contributed far more than solos to Duke's music: both a set of rare and distinct tones and a fertile source of melodic ideas. A key part of Ellington's talent as a composer was his ability to write for those special sounds and to turn those melodies into full-fledged compositions. One way Ellington held the band together was by providing outlets for remarkable and sometimes independent-minded musicians, arranging and recording small-group features with trumpeters Cootie Williams and Rex Stewart, trombonists Juan Tizol and Lawrence Brown, clarinetist Barney Bigard, and the matchless, creamy sound of Johnny Hodges's alto saxophone. These 1934-38 recordings offer plenty of room for them to express themselves and are among the masterpieces of small-group swing. The Duke's Men, Volume 2 offers cuts from '38 and '39. --Stuart Broomer

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CD Reviews

Great stuff, but no actual.
Slaninka Frantisek | Bratislava Slovakia | 02/20/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is perfect music on this doule cd. With clear arrangements and perfect playing of all members these recordings are one of the best of swing small groups music.

There are many great themes like Caravan, Stompy Jones, Moonlight Fiesta, Lost In Meditation, Echoes Of Harlem, Tiger Rag in noncommercial versions (for the most part better then orchestral versions). And many great swing themes which never been played with orchesta (like Rexatious, Blue Reverie).

Perfect music, good sound (but low volume).

Exist Duke's men: Small groups vol.2 double cd with many perfect small combos music too.

But both this Columbia double cds are not actual for me, because there exist new limited Mosaic 1936-40 small group sessions 7cd set. It includes all recordings from Columbia Duke's men vol.1 and vol.2 doule sets (omit Stingaree and Baby, Ain'tcha Satisfied?, but add all alternate versions and small groups recordings like Blue Light, or Ellington-Blanton duets). It also includes perfect 1939-40 sessions.

Sound on this Mosaic set is perfect, much better than on vol.1, but not so clear and thin like vol.2 double set.

I reccomend this 7cd box, which can buy on Mosaicrecords site directly."
Why has Columbia nixed this masterpiece?
J. Cohen | 04/03/2008
(5 out of 5 stars)

"This album is wonderful! Almost every track is glorious. And it's such a shame that this is no longer in print. The sound is wonderful.



But for some reason, Columbia (and other labels) have decided to re-release and re-package old jazz recordings like this one from the 20's and 30's, with "remastering" that, for me, totally ruins the sound.



I know that they're trying to make the recordings sound better, but they only end up ruining the recordings as far as my ears can tell. And it's really a shame.



I wish they would keep the original pre-"remastered" CD's, like this one, on the market."