Map,
"Far East Suite" is my #1A favorite Ellington record, but "Queen's Suite" and "Intimacy of the Blues" would be choices 1B and 1C, respectively. The only caveat is that I own these only on LP and haven't heard the cd versions. Both LPs (Pablo) sound very, very good, if maybe not quite up to Far East Suite quality.
As a side note, some critics have dumped on "Queen's Suite" as "minor" Ellington - but I disagree. Can't guarantee how you'll feel.
Marty
PS Glad you enjoy Far East Suite. Overall, my single favorite recording (out of many thousand) that I own.
"Far East Suite" is my #1A favorite Ellington record, but "Queen's Suite" and "Intimacy of the Blues" would be choices 1B and 1C, respectively. The only caveat is that I own these only on LP and haven't heard the cd versions. Both LPs (Pablo) sound very, very good, if maybe not quite up to Far East Suite quality.
As a side note, some critics have dumped on "Queen's Suite" as "minor" Ellington - but I disagree. Can't guarantee how you'll feel.
Marty
PS Glad you enjoy Far East Suite. Overall, my single favorite recording (out of many thousand) that I own.