Duke Ellington

Advantages The fundamentals - Classic Big Band Style Jazz
Disadvantages Sound quality was poor

...Duke Ellington composed many interesting traditional jazz music suited at that time for big band style. Amongst the popular music he wrote were Mood Indigo, It Don't Mean A Thing, Caravan, Chelsea Bridge and many more. His compositions in my opinion were very radical compared to those of the traditional era which cause some people to dislike it. It applies more tension chords as ever, bringing in modern jazz concepts and adapting them in a traditional context. He is however one of the legends in the field of jazz and although many do not know him, they have heard of him. Many of his songs are taken today and played in small group bands, trios and quartets and improvised to meet modern expectations. I personally enjoyed the tracks because I am a jazz fanatic. What I didn't enjoy was the poor recording quality which is probably... Read review

Advantages Superb playing and well-written music, cliche free
Disadvantages Nothing

...I've been reluctant to write about this CD, since I generally can't string together two words about it. However, it is hands down my favourite Duke Ellington CD, so I thought I'd share my thoughts with you all! 'Such Sweet Thunder' is dedicated to the Stratford, Ontario Shakespearean Festival, and all the pieces are based on Shakepeare characters or sonnets. This has absolutely no reflection in the music though, so it's best just to sit back and enjoy the ride. Track Listing (HUGE, bear with me) 1. Such Sweet Thunder, 2. Sonnet for Caesar, 3. Sonnet to Hank Cinq, 4. Lady Mac, 5. Sonnet in Search of a Moor, 6. The Telecasters, 7. Up And Down, 8. Sonnet for Sister Kate, 9. The Star-Crossed Lovers, 10. Madness in Great Ones, 11. Half the Fun, 12. Circle of Fourths, BONUS TRACKS: 13. The Star-Crossed Lovers, 14. Circle of Fourths, 15... Read review

Advantages Great jazz tunes from the Golden Age
Disadvantages None

...a little something to this pure piece of jazz-blues piano work that makes up this excellent tune. Solitude by Duke Ellington and his Orchestra begins strangely with what sounds on this recording by what sounds like some off-key piano playing. Then the rest of the orchestra slowly join in. I fear that this recording is marred by damage to the masters, as it seems to have some problems. Even so, it shows what Duke an his court could do. Speaking of royalty in jazz, the next track is King Oliver with Rhythm Club Stomp. This is re-mastered for digital stereo and seems to have benefited from the experience. It could be this might be one of the accidental stereo recordings that was discovered. Apparently it was the habit of some record producers to use two sets of recording equipment on a recording session, as insurance against an equipment... Read review