Duke Ellington & Johnny Hodges - Play the Blues Back to Back

Here we have an oddity in the Duke Ellington collection, a small-band record that includes not a single Ellington composition and only one Ellington musician, co-leader and alto sax king Johnny Hodges. The repertoire consists of seven classic blues, including three from the pen of W.C. Handy, and the results of this informal 1959 session are nothing short of remarkable. The other major solo voice is Harry "Sweets" Edison, a Count Basie-band veteran who seems particularly inspired on this day. His embrace of the melody on "Basin Street Blues" shows great tenderness laced with simply perfect blues-based accents. Hodges offers a virtual lesson throughout in how to build solos from the ground up, nuzzling the nostalgic melodies at first before adding colorful embellishments. Meanwhile, Ellington's spare improvisations and clever comping offer bold chord choices and typically idiosyncratic timing without overwhelming the basic structure and feeling of the blues. No question, a record of old standards and easygoing statements can be just as powerful as any. --Marc Greilsamer Amazon.com essential recording

Immaculate blues

Previous reviewers have already said everything that needs to be said, so I'll keep this short. This is a small group recording with Jo Jones on drums Les Spann on Guitar, Johnny Hodges on Alto Sax and Harry Edison on Trumpet.

None of the tracks are Ellington tunes, which is very unusual. When Ellington plays these tunes they begin to sound like he wrote them. In this case its probably because they are all blues. With a talent as great as Ellington's you quickly put your mark on the music. All the musicians play beautifully. This isn't a wild jam session, so whilst there certainly are sparks they are of a more subtle nature.

If you want to hear more of Ellington's under-rated Piano playing I strongly recommend "Piano in the Foreground" and "Money Jungle". Both of these feature the Dukes Piano in a trio setting (although wildly different). May 10, 2008

Back to Back, Duke Ellington

You want a review of my latest purchase. I assume that you think that my
order 102-2061749-6273025 has arrived. Why? It has not! I don't trust you
any longer. It's time you pull yourself together now! My order before this one YOU cancelled! Stuttgart Meditations, Charles Mingus order number
105-5343855-0268402.
The Duke Ellinton-CD I have had for many years as a LP. It's an exellent
recording from all point of views! I'm slowly re-creating parts of my jazz collection - my LP:s are very worn out. About my age - over 13 - yes,
I can be more specific: 59 years over, so I am in a hurry! What's next? Your move to straighten this out!
Peter January 14, 2008

not essential, but glad i have it all the same.

duke ellington and johnny hodges playing the blues in a small group setting. how could you go wrong with this one? you can't. hodges trademark tone is in fine form as ever, and of course mr ellington's piano is sophisticated and fine throughout. while not a mellow album, the mood is loose and laid-back, full of a light easy swing that sits down fine on the ears. there are many essential ellington releases, i would say this is not one of them, so don't start here if you are new to his music; but once you have collected the finest gems in his discography, then by all means pick up a copy of this fine jazz outting. August 26, 2007

Alto Sax Clinic

Johnny Hodges is so good he sets the standard for big band saxophonists, literally holding a clinic on how to play the blues. With Duke Ellington, "Sweets" Edison and others to back him, this late 50's recording is hard to beat. Another recording from the same period with the nearly the same personell is "Side by Side". Own both! July 23, 2007

Want to relieve stress?

I am a casual Jazz fan who owns a few classic Duke Ellington albums. No this album is not ground breaking by any stretch but it is very enjoyable and very easy on the ears. This album is so laid back and easy to listen to, anytime I am anxious or stressing out I put on the noise canceling headphones and lay back in my easy chair and enjoy. Calms me down every time. I keep this on my ipod shuffle and it is always the first album on my playlist.

The songs featured here are classic blues songs... some of which are W.C. Handy standards that date back to the very early 20th century. This album is one of the many Duke Ellington small group albums Duke participated in in the late 50s thru the early 60s. The fact that it is a small group makes it more easy to listen to since there aren't a bunch of soloists fighting for attention. One thing that really makes this album special is Johnny Hodges alto sax. I have always enjoyed his style of playing and he is of course very prominent on every track.

So if you are a casual fan of Jazz and want something to relax to or play in the background in the evening this album IS for you. If you enjoy this album also get the companion album "Side by Side". Many of the tracks from that album were recorded during the same session. If you are a jazz fan who is looking for something ground breaking or something that on every listen you discover something new this is not for you. July 15, 2007

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