DUKE ELLINGTON "ELLINGTON 55" LP NM/VG+ Reissue 1977

Description: llington '55 Review by Bruce Eder The general outlook on Ellington's two-year stay at Capitol Records is that they were a series of missed opportunities, the label being unwilling to let him do much more than pop-oriented singles and recover old ground. That may be true, and the original marketing campaign behind this album ("Old tunes, new treatments for your listening and dancing pleasure") only seemed to back up this perception. Capitol's strategy seems to have been a compromise based on his prior work for Columbia -- there were no recordings of experimental, long-form pieces, which Columbia had occasionally allowed, but Ellington's pop numbers were extended out to five and six minutes each, to allow for multiple solos. The tunes represented on this album (augmented on the 1999 reissue by two bonus tracks from later sessions) were precisely what the band was playing at its dance dates, of which there were many, as subsequent releases by Atlantic and GNP-Crescendo tell us, and it was material like this that was keeping the band going, filling those dates. So it is hard to argue with the album's programming, which reflected the taste of the most visible part of Ellington's audience. Additionally, what's here is quite fine in the playing -- "Flying Home" is a superb showcase for Clark Terry's and Cat Anderson's trumpets, and Jimmy Hamilton's clarinet is beautifully represented on "Honeysuckle Rose," among other tracks. Whether getting Ellington and company to cover numbers like "In the Mood" or even "One O'Clock Jump," with Jimmy Hamilton and Paul Gonsalves each soloing, was the best use of their time and talents is another question, considering what this band was capable of. It's hard to complain about the recording though -- Capitol's hi-fi sound served the band very well, as is borne out on this reissue. Duke Ellington And His Famous Orchestra* – Ellington '55 Duke Ellington And His Orchestra - Ellington '55 album cover More images Label: Capitol Records – M-11674, Capitol Records – SM-11674 Format: Vinyl, LP, Album, Reissue, Abridged version Country: US Released: 1977 Genre: Jazz Style: Big Band A1Rockin' In Rhythm Written-By – Ellington*, Carney*, Mills* 4:30 A2Black And Tan Fantasy Written-By – B. Miley*, D. Ellington* 5:13 A3Stompin' At The Savoy Written-By – Razaf*, Goodman*, Webb*, Sampson* 5:05 A4One O'Clock Jump Written-By – Count Basie 5:15 B1Honeysuckle Rose Written-By – A. Razaf*, T. Waller* 4:16 B2Happy Go Lucky Local Written-By – Duke Ellington 5:30 B3Flying Home Written-By – B. Goodman*, L. Hampton* 6:07 Manufactured By – Capitol Records, Inc. Pressed By – Capitol Records Pressing Plant, Jacksonville Arranged By – Billy Strayhorn, Duke Ellington Double Bass – Wendell Marshall Drums – Butch Ballard Piano – Duke Ellington Reeds – Harry Carney, Jimmy Hamilton, Paul Gonsalves, Rick Henderson, Russell Procope Trombone – Britt Woodman, Juan Tizol, Quentin Jackson Trumpet – Willie (Cat) Anderson*, Clark Terry, Ray Nance, Willie Cook Reissue as per sleeve, stating: A Capitol Monophonic Re-issue", and "This album is an abridged version of an album previously issued under the same title." Matrix / Runout (Runout Side A etched): M - I - II674 H - 4 #1 Matrix / Runout (Runout Side B etched): M - I - II674 H - I # 3 Matrix / Runout (Dead Wax Side A & B stamped): Mastered By Capitol Matrix / Runout (Dead Wax Side A & B etched): Jay Other (Dead Wax Side A & B: Pressing Plant Jacksonville Logo): 0 GOLDMINE GRADING MINT ---- It should appear to be perfect. No scuffs or scratches, blotches or stains, labels or writing, tears or splits. Mint means perfect. NEAR MINT ---- Otherwise mint but has one or two tiny inconsequential flaws that do not affect play. Covers should be close to perfect with minor signs of wear or age just becoming evident: slight ring-wear, minor denting to a corner, or writing on the cover should all be noted properly. VERY GOOD PLUS ---- The record has been handled and played infrequently or very carefully. Not too far from perfect. On a disc, there may be light paper scuffs from sliding in and out of a sleeve or the vinyl or some of the original luster may be lost. A slight scratch that did not affect play would be acceptably VG+ for most collectors. VERY GOOD ---- Record displays visible signs of handling and playing, such as loss of vinyl luster, light surface scratches, groove wear and spindle trails. Some audible surface noise, but should not overwhelm the musical experience. Usually a cover is VG when one or two of these problems are evident: ring wear, seam splits, bent corners, loss of gloss, stains, etc. GOOD ---- Well played with little luster and significant surface noise. Despite defects, record should still play all the way through without skipping. Several cover flaws will be apparent, but should not obliterate the artwork. POOR ---- Any record or cover that does not qualify for the above "Good" grading should be seen as Poor. Several cover flaws.

Price: 9.99 USD

Location: Saginaw, Michigan

End Time: 2025-01-01T21:45:54.000Z

Shipping Cost: 7 USD