Having proven his tango credentials, Daniel Barenboim makes another move beyond his classical orbit, into jazz. It's a qualified success. Cliff Colnot has scaled down Ellington's big-band arrangements for a smaller group (... more »most of them apparently from Barenboim's orchestra, the Chicago Symphony) with relatively convincing results. The ensemble plays well and the music still swings. However, only the celebrity jazz guests, vocalist Dianne Reeves and clarinetist Don Byron--both of whom could have held down a place with the Ellington band in its prime--get much chance to do solos, always an essential part of Ellington's music. And they're on only two cuts each. Barenboim's concluding solo, "Fast and Furious," is an unconvincing replica of Ellington's playing. Check out Ellington's own recordings first. --Leslie Gerber« less
Having proven his tango credentials, Daniel Barenboim makes another move beyond his classical orbit, into jazz. It's a qualified success. Cliff Colnot has scaled down Ellington's big-band arrangements for a smaller group (most of them apparently from Barenboim's orchestra, the Chicago Symphony) with relatively convincing results. The ensemble plays well and the music still swings. However, only the celebrity jazz guests, vocalist Dianne Reeves and clarinetist Don Byron--both of whom could have held down a place with the Ellington band in its prime--get much chance to do solos, always an essential part of Ellington's music. And they're on only two cuts each. Barenboim's concluding solo, "Fast and Furious," is an unconvincing replica of Ellington's playing. Check out Ellington's own recordings first. --Leslie Gerber
"Let me begin by expressing my desire for a more nuanced rating system. In reality, this CD is closer to a 4.5, but I'll be fair and round up. While we're still on the subject of reality, folks, lets face the cold, hard fact: no recording to date surpasses or matches Ellington's own releases with his original band (I don't believe any future recordings will either). With this in mind, it is pointless to compare the new crop to the stunning originals. In fact, many modern interpreters of Ellington's music have doomed themselves to inescapable failure by attempting to recreate what "The Duke" achieved. Barenboim and his guests, however, have no false hopes of attaining the unattainable. Rather, they play these pieces in the spirit of Ellington and his band -with scrupulous sensitivity, exposing the subtleties of meter, phrasing, harmonic modulation, and melodic variation - not in the completely unique style of their models. What results is an outstanding rediscovery and reaffirmation of the limitless possibilities of Ellington's compositions. To summarize: not better than the real thing, but not trying to be. What we have here is a work of art, born out of love for - and dedication to - one of the 20th Century's greatest musical masters, projected by some of the most adroit musicians before the public today."
Ellington arranged for the elevator
Bruce Murray (brucem@compuserve.com | Cincinnati OH, USA | 11/06/1999
(1 out of 5 stars)
"I first heard Ellington's orchestra in 1957, (a Johhy Hodges Sax solo)and I have loved his music and arrangements ever since. This is not for real fans of his orchestra. The tunes are there, but they are full of piano solos focusing on the entire melody rather than supplementing the soloists as Ellington did. The music came out bland and colorless.As I listened, I could only think: MUZAK."
A Great Album
T. Butler | Chicago, IL United States | 06/03/2003
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I love this album. I know... a German classical performer isn't as spontaneous and soulful as many jazz performers but this album has great feeling of elegance. The arrangements are great, the performances are wonderful and the recording is sparkling. What DB lacks in soul he makes up for in polish."
Better Than You Might Expect
Robert Szarka | Norwich, CT USA | 05/28/2007
(4 out of 5 stars)
"While few of these tracks will send you racing to the dance floor, they swing more than you might expect (appearances by Dianne Reeves and Don Byron help) and the recording quality is superb. Given that carefully-arranged chamber music isn't exactly out of line with Ellington's own approach, Barenboim's approach deserves consideration; just don't expect the kind of solos Ellington's own sidemen regularly supplied."