Duke Ellington - Blues in Orbit

The atmospheric, floating quality (see title) of the production and the mysterious, airy, and sparse arrangements make this album an overlooked gem in the Ellington catalog. Two of the tracks were cut in 1958 utilizing the full 15-piece orchestra: the slow-moving blues of the title track, where the leader's eerie piano fills answer the statements of the full band, and "Track 360," a dramatic aural representation of a train wreck. The remainder of the CD (minus one other track) was recorded with slightly smaller configurations at two midnight sessions in December of the following year. Ray Nance (the only trumpet because of band restructuring) and especially Johnny Hodges offer the most rewarding solo contributions of the date, many of which stand alongside their best ever. Hodges's magnificently fragile and seductive alto graces "Brown Penny" and handles both delicate and driving passages with aplomb on Billy Strayhorn's "Smada" (with the composer in the piano chair) while Nance belts out the bridge. The band also revisits earlier classics from the Ellington songbook: Nance shows his violin prowess on "C Jam Blues" before growling through "In a Mellotone"; "Sentimental Lady" is in Hodges's capable caress. --Marc Greilsamer Amazon.com

Desert Island Music!

How can this not be a famous classic! It's accessible, it's jumpin', it's inventive, it's super fun. It's a treat for the ears and the brain. It is NOT crazy braying horns or musicians run amuk or decent ideas played to death. It's not one tiny bit dated. Makes you smile and tap your toes, snap your fingers. What more do you want from recorded music? November 18, 2008

BIG BAND BLUES

THE SONGS RECORDED FOR THIS ALBUM WERE MADE IN 1958 & 1959. DUKE ELLINGTON IS A MASTER AT THE TOP OF HIS GAME FOR THIS RELEASE. GREAT ARRANGMENTS, RECORDING QUALITY, AND MUSICIANSHIP, PARTICULARLY ELLINGTON BAND MAINSTAYS RAY NANCE (TRUMPET) AND JOHNNY HODGES(SAX)AND, OF COURSE, THE DUKE HIMSELF. NO NEED TO GO INTO A SONG BY SONG ANALYSIS, 'CAUSE THEY ALL STAND OUT. NOT A BAD CUT ON THE ALBUM. PICK UP ANY OF THE ALBUMS BY DUKE ELLINGTON RECORDED IN THE 1950'S AND YOU WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED. October 17, 2007

Head Boppin Fun

Well the Jimmy Hamilton intro is worth the price of the Cd but if you are a layman with little experience with Duke this is a great Cd to get as your first you will tap and shake and smile into the wee hours of the morning. August 26, 2005

A Classic Album Beyond Description

The only reason this 1959 album doesn't come up in conversations about Duke's best albums is simply because Duke's catalogue is so enormous and literally every thing he did is classic or near classic. In other words if Duke had recorded only a dozen lp's in his lifetime- this lp would be praised to the high heaven's- and in a lot of circles today it is highly praised as one of his best. I've been listening to this cd in my Buick Park Avenue all week long and can't get enough of "C Jam Blues " and "Three J's Blues " and " In A Mellow Tone ". The original liner notes are intriguing as well and sets a great visual for really enjoying this classic album. The liner notes state that these are after midnight sessions recorded over two nights starting on December 2, 1959 in New York at Columbia Record's studio on East 30th St. and Dukes late nite dinner has arrived at 2am- a sizzling steak, a pot of coffee with lemons in it,portions of american cheese, and grapefruits. If you're just getting into jazz- I highly recommend this album as a great way to initiate your collection. My favorite track on this lp is "C Jam Blues"- I just can't get enough of Ray Nance's violin work on this track- it literally blows me away every time I listen to it. Jazz and Blues lovers everywhere- listen to me- get this lp in your collection pronto. I actually own the original vinyl album of this cd on Columbia -of course it does not include the great bonus tracks found on this cd. As for me- who knows when this cd will be taken out of my cd player in my Buick Park Avenue- maybe never. Duke, If you're listening up there in heaven - you truly were the 20th centuries Beethoven. April 15, 2005

This should be a classic

What an excellent session by the Duke. I don't know why this isn't considered one of the classic Duke Ellington records. I picked it up because it was on sale and was blown away. All of the songs are excellent, "Pie Eye Blues" and "Sentimental Lady" are my favorites. But pick any track at random, they're all great.

This is a pretty loose session, true, but by no means is it sloppy. If anything, the looseness makes these great tunes even more engaging. The Duke's playing is, of course, superb, but there are also excellent solo turns from Ray Nance and Johnny Hodges.

This is a re-release on which the bonus tracks are really a bonus. I'm not really interested in alternate takes - I'm not a musician or an archivist, just a music fan. But there are three tracks that were not on the original album and they're great. These are not throwaways, they're as good as the 11 originals.

Finally, I'm amazed at how far remastering has come. The sound is incredible. Put this on when someone's over and they'll never guess this was recorded in the 50's. March 9, 2005

More reviews at Amazon.com ...