This is so meditative. Talk about music to decompress! This version is new to me and it it's not a moment too long. I have always loved Mood Indigo but this takes it to a completely different level! It may not sound challenging to the musicians but the intonation has to be "spot on" as the Brits say. If you've ever heard MI played by a group that is not very good - those chords if they are the least bit off - absolutely painful.
What a sophisticated performance of this sophisticated masterpiece of American Jazz! The mellow sound of saxophone represents the mood of nights in New York at the beginning of the early fifties.
All solos are wonderful, every of the solists is an artist. But the most astonishing and surprising solo ist the one of the trombone. Abolsutely smashing! A trombone talking to us...
Hi, my mum used to hum all the time to different music, when she used to hum to this i knew i would hear it one day. I cant remember when i first heard it but this beautiful song has stayed with me for so many years, love it.
What a super version of one of my favourite Ellington pieces. This was the piece that I first heard of the Dukes and it instigated a life long love affair. Even though this is an early piece of music it had all those wonderful Ellington qualities. I always loved the orchestra's subtle tones, playing melodies that I would never have dreamed of. Thanks.
Thanks for putting this up. It was one of the first Jazz LPs that I bought in 1964, when it was still available on the Columbia label. Not only a brilliant song and arrangement, but outstanding solos from band members, including Ellington himself, and that evocative 1940s vocal from Yvonne. How much of this lovely arrangement was down to the great Billy Strayhorn, we may never know? Please, Sony Music Corporation re-issue "Masterpieces by Ellington"
to all the people unsure of the personnel listings on ellington recordings: go to ellingtonia.co.m. they have a comprehensive discography of EVERY recording Ellington made. Enjoy :)
Une très grande sensualité.. Indigo. Ce dégage. Au fur et à mesure la. Couleur apparaît comme une évidence.. Jusqu'à cette trompette parlante.. Dingue..
From what I've read, Strayhorn did the arrangements and played most of the piano. On this track Ellington comes in at 13.20 and you can tell it's a different piano (sounds a bit more distant in the room). That said, when I've heard live versions of this piece Ellington often plays the ending just like this version (sometimes with the whole band playing the chords).
@astrolin7 The "Ivonne" mentioned on your LP is Yvonne Lanauze; you can look her up on Google, she sand with Ellington and Strayhorn, among others. And on my LP it indicates that Duke is playing the piano.
The listing of Artists @1:53 sadly omits the obvious presence of Harry Carney on baritone saxophone (and possibly clarinet in the other woodwind interludes).
The piano that plays from around 13.20 is among the greatest I have ever heard. Strayhorn I imagine, but it could be Duke. The chords... just flawless, perfect.
+James St.James. More likely Strayhorn, yes. That style impacted a lot on Abdullah Ibrahim whom Duke also "discovered" and who subbed for Duke on a few dates with the Ellington Orchestra in 1966. Ibrahim has extensively acknowledged both these masters in his work.
Am I hearing this right? Billy Strayhorn soloing with clear references to Ellington's solo style? if Not then perhaps both of them sharing the solo space. Thanks for posting this. This album was one of my first exposures to Ellington.
Quite true, but he's on there all right. I happen to play baritone sax, and he was my first bari hero, so I know his unmistakable sound sound very well. ;)
Who is playing the fancy lines with the "mute" in the horn, continuing after Yvonne's singing ? ...is that a trombone? ...great effect, almost cuasi vocalish; thank you for the info if anyone could share. .
could someone remind me of the musicians' names Barney Bigard ,clarinet ?John Hodges on alto saxophone for sure ,but ..James Hamilton , also one of the clarinets . Trumpet lead ,Harold Baker ?Paul Gonsalves on tenor for sure . Lawrence Brown ( reluctantly !) on wahwah trombone ?.then - surely not still in the band ? Samuel Nanton ? Harold Carney of course ,Baritone saxophone . Billy Strayhorn arrangement ? help !
from the wiki page: Duke Ellington, Billy Strayhorn - piano Cat Anderson (tracks 1-4, 6 & 7), Shorty Baker, Mercer Ellington (tracks 1-4), Fats Ford (tracks 1-4), Ray Nance, Nelson Williams - trumpet Lawrence Brown (tracks 1-4), Tyree Glenn (tracks 1-4), Quentin Jackson, Britt Woodman (tracks 5-7) - trombone Jimmy Hamilton - clarinet, tenor saxophone Johnny Hodges (tracks 1-4), Willie Smith (tracks 5-7) - alto saxophone Russell Procope - alto saxophone, clarinet Paul Gonsalves - tenor saxophone Harry Carney - baritone saxophone, bass clarinet (track 2) Wendell Marshall - bass Sonny Greer (tracks 1-4), Louis Bellson (tracks 5-7) - drums Yvonne Lanauze - vocals[7]
thankyous griot7 & Jeff Andersen . Of course - constantly shifting turnover of band members - But all making it Ellington whilst staying true to their own way of playing -- That's part of E.K.Ellington (+ W.Strayhorn) unique genius, isn't it.
