Descripción
Duke Ellington Treasury Shows Vol. 6, CD 1.
The approx. 40 tunes (1 hour & 20 min.) on this double-CD are radio broadcast performances from the Spring and Fall of 1945, made at theatres and military installations in the eastern and mid-western U.S., where Duke Ellington was not only out to please his audience, but also raise money for the war effort (WWII was still on) by selling bonds via the radio broadcasts.
The repertoire is mostly Ellington hits from the 40’s, plus some from the 30’s – all tailored to please the live audience (including the folks who wanted to dance) as well as the radio audience. The genre is solid Ellington swing, including some dance tunes.
The many vocals included here (mainly by Joya Sherill) gave consolation to the audience during the war years. As is normally the case with Duke Ellington, even though one has heard the same tune many times, it is performed completely differently each time so that one never tires of hearing it.
This music shows Duke Ellington in his prime, and is an important addition to the collection of Ellington fans. Of the 40 tunes on this double-CD, Sunny Side of The Street, Cotton Tail, Harlem Air Shaft and Warm Valley are among the best.
The sound quality has been enhanced greatly through re-mastering.