Search - Duke Ellington :: Duke Ellington In Sweden 1973

Alice Babs is wonderful

e-mitch | Minneapolis, MN United States | 02/21/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Finding recordings of Alice Babs is not easy in the U.S. This disc contains some wonderful tracks of Babs singing with Duke Ellington and his orchestra. Noteworthy is track 7, Serenade to Sweden, a short melody which contains no words, only vocalizations, Babs' voice is remarkable nonetheless."

A Stong Live Set from the End of Duke's Life

Michael J. Connor | Waltham, MA USA | 04/16/2000

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This set was recorded live Malmo Sweden in 1973, and it is a much stronger set than Duke's Third Sacred Concert, or the Eastbourne set.Have the concert is given over to songs featuring Alice Babs, one of Duke's favorit vocalists."

Priceless

jive rhapsodist | NYC, NY United States | 09/25/2010

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is it. After 50 years, the seemingly eternal reign of the Duke Ellington Orchestra grinds to a halt.The last European tour. The last months of concerts...No Cootie, no Hodges, no Gonsalves!



Duke celebrated his 40th birthday (Apr. 29, 1939) in Stockholm with hundreds of children under his window, garlands of flowers, an unforgettable radio broadcast which thankfully still exists. So there was a long love affair between Ellington and Sweden. And one of the key symbols of this love affair was the Swedish singer Alice Babs, who had added so much to Duke's 2nd Sacred Concert. And this last recording of this love feast is...not perfect, by any means. But if you love Duke Ellington and his music, you will really appreciate everything on this disc that there is to appreciate. Babs, of course. The excellent drumming of the young, recently hired Rocky White - why did Duke keep Rufus Jones for so long? Compare the drumming on the 1972 Togo Brava live CD...no comparison.

The rejuvenated trombone section, brightened by the presence of that exuberant Ellington aficionado Art Baron. The touching lyrics of Checkered Hat (dedicated to Hodges' memory). Duke's piano playing - greater and greater right up to the end. Russell Procope stepping up every time he's heard. The delirious audience. Duke's tired, husky voice, showing the effect of the lung cancer that would take his life 7 months later. It is all too moving. This is not just music. This is life, with all of its indomitable, imperfect, touching, flawed, sad and glorious moments."