Search - Duke Ellington :: His Mother Called Him Bill

His father, too.

smurdge | 05/01/2003

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Duke recorded this tribute to his partner Billy Strayhorn only three months after Strayhorn's death at 52 from esophogeal cancer, while the shock and grief were still fresh- and it comes through on the record. Even the upbeat tunes have a kind of elegaic quality to them. Many of Duke's greatest musicians were still with him: Johnny Hodges, Harry Carney, Paul Gonsalves, Cootie Williams, Clark Terry and Sam Woodyard. Highlights are Hodges' keening, mourning solo on Blood Count, Terry's happy bubbling playing on U.M.M.G, Duke's impromptu piano solo rendition of Lotus Blossom, and a beautiful, sensual rendition of My Little brown Book, (much improved without the lyrics). Blood Count and Lotus Blossom especially express the love Duke and his men felt for Strayhorn and his music better than words ever could.Though the intention was to record the best of Strayhorn's compositions, there are some mediocre tunes here: Snibor, All Day Long, and 2 takes of Smada (basically a minor riff with Jimmy Hamilton aimlessly noodling on top). These tunes are entertaining and well played, but not top-drawer Strayhorn. Chelsea Bridge or Clementine, (among others), would've been better choices, though I can understand them not wanting to do Take the A Train for the 4,000,000th time! There is also one Ellington compostion, Acht O'Clock Rock, which is pretty much ruined by Cat Anderson's high-note Cat-erwauling (there always has to be one tune ruined by Cat- it was a band rule or something). The Bluebird first editions series is very nice- excellent sound quality, nice digi-pak with the original LP covers reproduced, good notes. Hopefully we'll see more than just the usual RCA suspects released on this series in the future."

Mostly Great Recording

J. Garcia | New Mexico, USA | 01/19/2006

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This tribute to Billy Strayhorn lives up to his legacy of musically erudite yet soulful songwriting. Duke Ellington's notable omission of Billy's "Lush Life" is sad, but understandable in view of the duo's mutual respect.



Many of the selections are brilliant, both in writing and performance, especially in Johnny Hodges' "Blood Count" and Ellington's solo "Lotus Blossom." Unfortunately, the inclusion of a handful of unengaging tracks such as "Acht O' Clock Rock" and "All Day Long" muddles an otherwise masterful performance.



When Ellington's band isn't recapturing Strayhorn's tender touch in ballads, they exude his unique ebullience exemplified in up-beat charts such as "Rain Check" and "U.M.M.G." This is a mostly thorough reflection of Strayhorn's life performed by no less than his closest musical peers."

One of the greatest recording I have ever heard-

Shawn Carter | Pheonix, AZ | 04/23/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I am suprised buy two 4 star reviews below me here. I have never even seen a critic give this recording less than a 5 star essential rating. The band is so overwhelmed (partly to due Duke Grief and Shock) by genius composer Billy Strayhorn, that they play as thier lives depend on it. Johnny Hodges is the real star here, playing "Day Dream" and "Blood Count" that rank among the best Alto solo in jazz ever (at least from what I have heard, and I have heard alot). This sessions is not Hodjes, it is the spirit of Strayhorn and his Compositions. This recording also serves as a way to help the causual Ellington fan decipher what Strayhorn's contributions to Duke's legacy were."