DUKE ELLINGTON – Treasury Shows Volume 18
Storyville Records D.E.T.S 903 9018
CD1
Shelton Hemphill, Taft Jordan, Francis Williams, Cat Anderson, Bernard Flood (track 1-3), Reunald Jones (track 4-16) (tp), Ray Nance (tp, vln, vo), Joe Nanton, Lawrence Brown, Claude Jones, Wilbur DeParis (tb), Jimmy Hamilton (ts, cl), Al Sears (ts), Johnny Hodges, Otto Hardwick (track (1-3), Russell Procope (track 4-16) (as), Harry Carney (bars, bcl, cl), Duke Ellington, Billy Strayhorn* (p), Fred Guy (g), Oscar Pettiford (b), Sonny Greer (dr), Kay Davis, Al Hibbler (vo)
Track 1-3 Broadcast, KABC Studios, San Antonio, Texas, April 13, 1946
Track 4-16 Broadcast, Howard Theatre, Washington, D.C. April 20, 1946
Rex Stewart (co), Shelton Hemphill, Taft Jordan (tp), Ray Nance (tp, vln, vo), Joe Nanton, Claude Jones, Lawrence Brown (tb), Jimmy Hamilton (ts, cl), Elbert “Skippy” Williams (ts), Johnny Hodges, Otto Hardwick (as), Harry Carney (bars, cl), Duke Ellington (p), Fred Guy (g), Junior Raglin (b), Sonny Greer (dr), Al Hibbler (vo)
Track 17 – 24 MBS Broadcast, Hurricane Restaurant, NYC, April 28, 1944
CD2
Shelton Hemphill, Taft Jordan, Francis Williams, Reunald Jones (tp), Ray Nance (tp, vln, vo), Joe Nanton, Lawrence Brown, Claude Jones, Wilbur DeParis (tb), Jimmy Hamilton (ts, cl), Al Sears (ts), Johnny Hodges, Russell Procope (as), Harry Carney (bars, bcl, cl), Duke Ellington, Billy Strayhorn* (p), Fred Guy (g), Oscar Pettiford (b), Sonny Greer (dr), Kay Davis, Al Hibbler (vo)
Track 1 – 17 Broadcast, Municipal Auditorium, Worcester, Mass., April 27, 1946
Rex Stewart (co), Shelton Hemphill, Taft Jordan (tp), Ray Nance (tp, vln, vo), Joe Nanton, Claude Jones, Lawrence Brown (tb), Jimmy Hamilton (ts, cl), Elbert “Skippy” Williams (ts), (track 18-21), Al Sears (ts), (track 22-25), Johnny Hodges, Otto Hardwick (as), Harry Carney (bars, cl), Duke Ellington (p), Fred Guy (g), Junior Raglin (b), Sonny Greer (dr), Al Hibbler (vo)
Track 18 – 25 MBS Broadcast, Hurricane Restaurant, NYC, May 12 & 19, 1944
This fascinating compilation of Duke’s work throughout the years 1944 – 1946 shows just how much the band was in demand despite the fact that many aggregations, both large and small, were unable to survive in these difficult times.
The material presented in this two disc set is all from broadcasts given by the Ellington Orchestra over a two year period documenting the band at frequent intervals, and details Duke’s support for, and promotion of the US Treasury Department who went on to sponsor the band’s coast-to-coast tour of 1945-46 with plenty of nationwide radio time promoting US war bonds, and encouraging its citizens to purchase them. Therefore, interspersed with the music we get to hear Duke’s rather stiff and inexpressive promotion of the war bonds and it is surprising to listen to Ellington’s reading of the script in this manner as normally he spoke so eloquently.
The music however is an altogether different matter. The Orchestra may have lost one its star soloists following the departure of Ben Webster, but the maestro carries on unphased and the performances heard are of a big band at the height of its powers. The material is familiar Ducal repertoire from the period, and we will all have our favourites.
A few standout tracks for me were the less well known ‘Sono’ a feature for Harry Carney’s baritone which apparently did not remain in the band book for very long, a solo recital by Duke of ‘Sophisticated Lady’. ‘Moon Mist’ is credited as a feature for Johnny Hodges alto, but also has a fine contribution for Ray Nance’s violin. Pieces from Ellington’s suite Black, Brown & Beige are featured in two separate broadcasts from Washington D.C. on 20th April, 1946, and the second a week later on 27th April from Worcester, Mass.
The first of these two segments from the Suite is ‘The Blues’, aka ‘Mauve’ and feature the vocals of Kay Davis and some fine tenor playing from Al Sears, replacing the recently departed Ben Webster. Sears appears completely non-plussed by the big shoes he is stepping into, and plays with a calm assurance. On Disc Two we are treated to ‘Come Sunday’ in a superb performance that wholly justifies it’s nearly twelve minute playing time. The blended brass and saxes are a fine accompaniment for Ray Nance’s violin taking the melody line. There is another wonderful solo from Johnny Hodges and we also get hear from Laurence Brown on trombone and bassist Oscar Pettiford.
It really is great to have this wonderful music made available in such a comprehensive series, however I do stop to wonder just who is buying all these volumes as the we are already up to Volume 18 with I presume more in the pipeline. Having said that, despite numerous works by Duke in my collection, this is a set that I will certainly return to time and time again to savour the delights held on the two silver discs.
Reviewed by Nick Lea
Storyville Records D.E.T.S 903 9018
CD1
Shelton Hemphill, Taft Jordan, Francis Williams, Cat Anderson, Bernard Flood (track 1-3), Reunald Jones (track 4-16) (tp), Ray Nance (tp, vln, vo), Joe Nanton, Lawrence Brown, Claude Jones, Wilbur DeParis (tb), Jimmy Hamilton (ts, cl), Al Sears (ts), Johnny Hodges, Otto Hardwick (track (1-3), Russell Procope (track 4-16) (as), Harry Carney (bars, bcl, cl), Duke Ellington, Billy Strayhorn* (p), Fred Guy (g), Oscar Pettiford (b), Sonny Greer (dr), Kay Davis, Al Hibbler (vo)
Track 1-3 Broadcast, KABC Studios, San Antonio, Texas, April 13, 1946
Track 4-16 Broadcast, Howard Theatre, Washington, D.C. April 20, 1946
Rex Stewart (co), Shelton Hemphill, Taft Jordan (tp), Ray Nance (tp, vln, vo), Joe Nanton, Claude Jones, Lawrence Brown (tb), Jimmy Hamilton (ts, cl), Elbert “Skippy” Williams (ts), Johnny Hodges, Otto Hardwick (as), Harry Carney (bars, cl), Duke Ellington (p), Fred Guy (g), Junior Raglin (b), Sonny Greer (dr), Al Hibbler (vo)
Track 17 – 24 MBS Broadcast, Hurricane Restaurant, NYC, April 28, 1944
CD2
Shelton Hemphill, Taft Jordan, Francis Williams, Reunald Jones (tp), Ray Nance (tp, vln, vo), Joe Nanton, Lawrence Brown, Claude Jones, Wilbur DeParis (tb), Jimmy Hamilton (ts, cl), Al Sears (ts), Johnny Hodges, Russell Procope (as), Harry Carney (bars, bcl, cl), Duke Ellington, Billy Strayhorn* (p), Fred Guy (g), Oscar Pettiford (b), Sonny Greer (dr), Kay Davis, Al Hibbler (vo)
Track 1 – 17 Broadcast, Municipal Auditorium, Worcester, Mass., April 27, 1946
Rex Stewart (co), Shelton Hemphill, Taft Jordan (tp), Ray Nance (tp, vln, vo), Joe Nanton, Claude Jones, Lawrence Brown (tb), Jimmy Hamilton (ts, cl), Elbert “Skippy” Williams (ts), (track 18-21), Al Sears (ts), (track 22-25), Johnny Hodges, Otto Hardwick (as), Harry Carney (bars, cl), Duke Ellington (p), Fred Guy (g), Junior Raglin (b), Sonny Greer (dr), Al Hibbler (vo)
Track 18 – 25 MBS Broadcast, Hurricane Restaurant, NYC, May 12 & 19, 1944
This fascinating compilation of Duke’s work throughout the years 1944 – 1946 shows just how much the band was in demand despite the fact that many aggregations, both large and small, were unable to survive in these difficult times.
The material presented in this two disc set is all from broadcasts given by the Ellington Orchestra over a two year period documenting the band at frequent intervals, and details Duke’s support for, and promotion of the US Treasury Department who went on to sponsor the band’s coast-to-coast tour of 1945-46 with plenty of nationwide radio time promoting US war bonds, and encouraging its citizens to purchase them. Therefore, interspersed with the music we get to hear Duke’s rather stiff and inexpressive promotion of the war bonds and it is surprising to listen to Ellington’s reading of the script in this manner as normally he spoke so eloquently.
The music however is an altogether different matter. The Orchestra may have lost one its star soloists following the departure of Ben Webster, but the maestro carries on unphased and the performances heard are of a big band at the height of its powers. The material is familiar Ducal repertoire from the period, and we will all have our favourites.
A few standout tracks for me were the less well known ‘Sono’ a feature for Harry Carney’s baritone which apparently did not remain in the band book for very long, a solo recital by Duke of ‘Sophisticated Lady’. ‘Moon Mist’ is credited as a feature for Johnny Hodges alto, but also has a fine contribution for Ray Nance’s violin. Pieces from Ellington’s suite Black, Brown & Beige are featured in two separate broadcasts from Washington D.C. on 20th April, 1946, and the second a week later on 27th April from Worcester, Mass.
The first of these two segments from the Suite is ‘The Blues’, aka ‘Mauve’ and feature the vocals of Kay Davis and some fine tenor playing from Al Sears, replacing the recently departed Ben Webster. Sears appears completely non-plussed by the big shoes he is stepping into, and plays with a calm assurance. On Disc Two we are treated to ‘Come Sunday’ in a superb performance that wholly justifies it’s nearly twelve minute playing time. The blended brass and saxes are a fine accompaniment for Ray Nance’s violin taking the melody line. There is another wonderful solo from Johnny Hodges and we also get hear from Laurence Brown on trombone and bassist Oscar Pettiford.
It really is great to have this wonderful music made available in such a comprehensive series, however I do stop to wonder just who is buying all these volumes as the we are already up to Volume 18 with I presume more in the pipeline. Having said that, despite numerous works by Duke in my collection, this is a set that I will certainly return to time and time again to savour the delights held on the two silver discs.
Reviewed by Nick Lea
