Search - Duke Ellington :: Best of

The Duke Revisits

Ted Ficklen | Saint Louis, MO USA | 03/16/2001

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Duke Ellington recorded for many labels during his lifetime and every one of those record companies have done their own "Best Of" re-issues. These Capitol recordings were done in the early 1950's and were the first re-recordings of the old Ellington standards of the 1920's and 30's. Unhampered by the time limits of the 78 rpm disc, the orchestra gets a chance to stretch out a bit. The sound here is comparable to other Hi-Fi recordings--vastly preferable to the 78's, even if the arrangements are sweeter and less funky than the originals. Some Critics at the time of original release really slammed Ellington for trying to "improve" on his past, but looking at his entire career, you see his was constantly re-arranging and re-recording his standards. This compilation on the Curb label is a better price than Capitol's own "Best Of" collection."