Things Ain't What They Used to Be - Duke Ellington, Ellington, Mercer
All Too Soon
Janet
Kinda Dukish
Montevideo
December Blue
These 1953 recordings brought Duke the pianist into clear focus, proving him to be a clever, quirky, thoughtful, and bold improviser--often simultaneously. Ellington wrote 8 of these 15 cuts specifically for this record, w... more »hile offering new interpretations of classics such as "Prelude to a Kiss," "In a Sentimental Mood," and "All Too Soon" plus Billy Strayhorn's delicate "Passion Flower" and son Mercer's "Things Ain't What They Used to Be." As strong as those readings are, the highlights here are the new pieces. "Reflections in D," "Retrospection," and "Melancholia" are spooky-but-serene tone poems; "Montevideo" and "Kinda Dukish" (actually the introduction to "Rockin' in Rhythm") are jagged and urgent; and "Janet," a two-minute suite in three parts, combines both moods. The lesser-known "Dancers in Love" (from The Perfume Suite) receives a delightful treatment that shows just how much can be said with one title and two minutes. --Marc Greilsamer« less
These 1953 recordings brought Duke the pianist into clear focus, proving him to be a clever, quirky, thoughtful, and bold improviser--often simultaneously. Ellington wrote 8 of these 15 cuts specifically for this record, while offering new interpretations of classics such as "Prelude to a Kiss," "In a Sentimental Mood," and "All Too Soon" plus Billy Strayhorn's delicate "Passion Flower" and son Mercer's "Things Ain't What They Used to Be." As strong as those readings are, the highlights here are the new pieces. "Reflections in D," "Retrospection," and "Melancholia" are spooky-but-serene tone poems; "Montevideo" and "Kinda Dukish" (actually the introduction to "Rockin' in Rhythm") are jagged and urgent; and "Janet," a two-minute suite in three parts, combines both moods. The lesser-known "Dancers in Love" (from The Perfume Suite) receives a delightful treatment that shows just how much can be said with one title and two minutes. --Marc Greilsamer
"This was my favorite Ellington disk on vinyl, and one of the first I replaced with a CD--with one additional track, happily. It's easy to hear how much Monk was influenced by Ellington, just as others have noted. Duke really was an amazing pianist, endlessly inventive, humorous, quirky, and lyrical. His orchestral music is great, of course, but if you're a fan of piano trios, this is one of the all-time best."
The Master at work
Michael R. Lachance | Maine, USA | 08/07/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Everything you need to appreciate Ellington is here on this CD. His skill at composition and his magical ear are illustrated beyond compare. You will hear the depth and mood of the slow pieces and the outright swing of the faster ones. Kinda' Dukish has always been a favorite and the syncopation and timing on this track is utterly amazing. This CD is required Ellington."
Masterful!
Michael S. Goldfarb | Verplanck, NY United States | 07/23/2003
(5 out of 5 stars)
"There's not much to add to what the other reviewers have said. I've owned the LP of this album since the 70s, and it's just flat-out wonderful!Ellington is generally remembered as a genius composer and bandleader, but he was also an ace pianist. These solo and trio performances show that his unique style encompassed everything from the stride/ragtime/barrelhouse styles he heard in his youth to the sophisticated chromatic "modern" approach of the 50s. And he could be just as expressive alone on the piano as with his orchestra full of monster soloists...Great stuff!(Also recommended for hearing Duke as pianist: the 1961 sessions with Louis Armstrong, now available in a couple of different CD packages. Fantastic!)"
Get it, listen to it, love it.
bruce horner | 08/03/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Anyone who doubts Ellington's talents as a pianist should listen to this album. On many of these cuts he sounds like the missing link between stride and Monk. If you've listened to the piano playing on 1940's "Ko Ko" (only about 20 years ahead of its time) you probably won't be too surprised at how progessive Ellington's playing could be. Here we have most of the facets of his playing: jagged rhythms, impressionistic tone poems, swinging arabesques... Did I mention how damn FUN this album is to listen to? Few people fused genius with sheer entertainment like Ellington."
Great piano playing in small ensemble
N. Dooley | 03/31/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This is a great showcase of the Duke's piano virtuosity -- not to mention his beautiful compositions. Not a perfect recording, though, since there's a fair amount of high-end hiss, but still quite enjoyable. Almost as good as Money Jungle!"