This 1958 concert is a typical
Duke Ellington
set from the period, mixing new numbers and old favorites, as well as the inevitable long medley of his biggest hits. Because this performance was recorded for radio broadcast, it doesn't quite have the depth or balance of
Ellington
's commercial recordings, though the balance is fairly good, and the soloists are very prominent. Highlights include the exciting
"Newport Up,"
which showcases
Clark Terry
on flugelhorn, clarinetist
Jimmy Hamilton
, and tenor saxophonist
Paul Gonsalves
; baritone saxophonist
Harry Carney
in
"Sophisticated Lady,"
and finally, alto saxophone star
Johnny Hodges
"Jeep's Blues."
The two songs from the fairly new LP,
A Drum is A Woman
, with lackluster singer
Ozzie Bailey
, are disappointing, while the long medley serves mainly to fulfill numerous audience requests. Sadly, the final number, "Diminuendo and Crescendo in Blue," is the victim of a fade-out in the midst of
Gonsalves
' solo. This is a good, though hardly essential release for fans of
. ~ Ken Dryden