Search - Duke Ellington :: 1969 All Star Tribute to Duke Ellington

Duke and Dick

Samuel Chell | Kenosha,, WI United States | 09/15/2002

(4 out of 5 stars)

"As a collector of most things Ellingtonian, I had to have this album after hearing an NPR piece about the circumstances of the recording and its delayed release. It's pleasant enough, but not a CD that's apt to get much playing. The instrumentation is somewhat curious--6 horns plus rhythm section, and no tenor saxophone! Bassist Milt Hinton and drummer Louis Belson are the main constants, with the piano chair being rotated among no fewer than 5 pianists (but not Marian McPartland or Willie the Lion Smith, both of whom were in the audience, as were Dizzy Gillespie, Benny Goodman, and Billy Eckstein).The proceedings, for the most part, have the feel of a jam session, with the instrumentalists taking turns playing songs from the Ellington universe in a number of medleys. At times the transitions are a bit rough, as the rhythm section has to work to find not just the right key but tempo as well. The only number that evidences any rehearsal is Gerry Mulligan's unusual, up-tempo arrangement of the complex harmonies of "Prelude to a Kiss."Some highlights and low-lights. Paul Desmond is as close to perfection as you can get--maintaining his musical composure even when the Hank Jones/Milt Hinton accompaniment can't find the chords to the bridge of "Chelsea Bridge." Each of his solo turns is an inventive gem, and at one point he surprises with an unexpected Johnny Hodges imitation. The same could be said of trombonist J.J. Johnson, whose every note brings life to the occasion, whether he's soloing or providing fills. And of course, Clark Terry is his exhuberant, colorful self, making his horn provide the personable vocal effects that are the essence of the Ellington style.The set by pianist Billy Taylor represents the best piano playing of the evening (what an underrated giant he is--let's hope some of his out-of-print trio recordings are soon made available). Dave Brubeck has only one opportunity, and appears to be cut off at mid-solo by Mulligan's baritone. Fatha Hines 2-minute solo is a virtuosic dazzler, but too short to produce the electrifying effect on record that it apparently had the night of the concert. Not all of the material is top-shelf Ellington, as the music from the "Second Sacred Concert" and the 4 songs featuring vocalist Mary Mayo definitely represent a musical let-down (while setting up Joe Williams to even greater dramatic effect).There are absolutely no announcements on the record. Understandably the producers were more interested in capturing the 75 minutes of music, but the presentation by Nixon, the announcements by Willis Connover, and the verbal remarks by Ellington himself would have added a far greater sense of the moment.As for guitarist Jim Hall, who refused to sign the release required to make the recording available, one wonders if his reasons were not merely political but musical, given the negligible amount of solo space he was afforded that evening. Thank goodness he finally came around or, like Nixon and Rosemary Woods, he would be remembered primarily as the man who lost some potentially valuable tapes."

Buy it. Listen. Learn.

Samuel Chell | 09/10/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This concert isn't all-star, it's all-legend, and the band is unbelievably hot. Listen to saxophonists Mulligan and Desmond go after each other, or trumpets Berry and Terry on "Just Squeeze Me". The pianists are a wonder, from Hank Jones' fine work through Brubeck's star turn and Billy Taylor in marvelous form on a medley. Then "Fatha" Hines sits down and blows them all away with "Perdido". Great stuff. Great, great stuff.Singers Mayo and (especially) Williams end the evening with some touching vocal work. Everyone on this disc, and just check out that lineup again, is at the top of his (or her) game, in some of the greatest American music ever written.So why was this concert not released domestically until now? Seems guitarist Jim Hall had a thing about Nixon (it was 1969, after all) and wouldn't sign the release until recently. Go figure.Ah, but if only the tapes could have recorded the jam session following the concert, which went on until 3 am. Marion McPartland, Willie the Lion and a host of jazz greats were in the audience and each took a turn, or played duets with the Duke. Even the Marine Band joined in. Too bad it wasn't recorded.But hold on, this was the NIXON White House. You don't suppose . . . ."

A lot more fun than you think it is

Eric C. Sedensky | Madison, AL, US | 01/19/2008

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I just love this recording. All of the Duke's greatest, signature hits, all in one place, recorded live at the White House, when "Tricky Dick" Nixon was president. What a hoot! It must have been one gala of a party, because you can hear the audience laughing and shouting throughout the recording, at obvious moments of hilarity that were going on during the music and between numbers. You can imagine some horn player making a sour face, or wiping the sweat from his brow after a solo, or Duke cutting up with the president's wife. I mean, I don't know what was going on, but this CD tells a story not just of Ellington's great musical life, but an eventful, fun night in the now distant late 60's. I just let my imagination take me where it wants to go when I listen to this CD, and I get a different sense of enjoyment every time I listen to it. This is a Blue Note recording, so you get very high quality sound, a superb band, and renditions that are true to the originals. I consider this a must have for any serious jazz music collector."