Jazz for aficionados

Today’s Listen:

Ella Fitzgerald and Duke Ellington -- ELLA AT DUKE’S PLACE

Recorded in 1965. CD reissue in 1996. Reissue notes by Keith Shadwick. Mr Shadwick made the following critical comments about the recording.

"on the up-tempo selections such as "Duke’s Place" and "CottonTail" there is an uncharacteristically awkward straining for effect from Fitzgerald. In fact "CottonTail", the album’s closer, finds the band unable to settle into a smooth delivery of its section work due to an improbably fast rhythm from the bass and drums."

Judge for yourselves.

azure
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tc9F5pa9IQQ

duke's place
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ol-AvCEdRQw

cottontail
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HL2xvS_nUTs

passion flower
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rZSiE8ePfHw

One of the best things about albums like this, when the sax or trumpet is playing, you know who is doing the playing.

Cheers

The notes also mention the DOWNBEAT reader’s poll for 1966, the year of the release.

"Ellington won in the big band category by polling more than twice as many votes as Count Basie, who was No. 2, and in the composer category by four times as many votes as the runner-up there, Thelonious Monk. Fitzgerald of course, won the female vocal vote comfortably over Nancy Wilson and Carmen McRae, with Nina Simone a distant fourth."
Where’s Sassy? We always give reader’s poll all the respect they deserve..

Mississippi Truth Tellers:

as true in the 21st as it was in the 20th
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vqlR2bR9JkU   

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dEmYBRpIcnQ   

might be the devil or it might be 1st Cav
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NEiW5YMiNvI    

say it, say it, say it !!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2jW8d88SPM8   

Cheers

I think you are mellowing with age 😊. Surprised that you are not raking the reviewer over the coals for daring to say anything negative about icons like Duke and Ella. IMO, the reviewer is only half correct and is conflating a couple of different issues. I agree with him that “the band (is) unable to settle into a smooth delivery of its section work due to an improbably fast rhythm from the bass and drums." On “Cottontail” the saxes sound a little ragged and the trombones get very behind the beat at one point. However, it really wasn’t all that bad and why is he suggesting that Ella is the culprit in any way? She swings her as& off. In fact it is Paul Gonsalves who almost can’t keep up with her amazing scatting. Only singer who I can enjoy listening to scatting for an extended period.

**** Where’s Sassy? We always give reader’s poll all the respect they deserve..****

Easy one, but takes a little digging.

Nominations and winners of DB’s readers poll are, if not entirely, mostly influenced by the artists’ recent work.
The year is 1966.

Ella:

- In 1965 Ella released “Ella At Duke’s Place (With Duke Ellington)“
Remember, not only is Duke king, he was slated to win in the big band category with twice as many votes as Basie.

- In 1966 itself she released “Whisper Not”. One of her most popular and a record of mostly Jazz standards.

Nancy Wilson:

- Between 1964 and 1966 Nancy Wilson released eight (!!!) records including some of her most popular. All in her stylistic “comfort zone”.

Sassy:

- In 1964 she released “Lonely Hours” and “Vaughn With Voices”

- In 1965 she released “Viva! Vaughn” and “The Mancini Songbook”

- In 1966 she released “The Pop Artistry of Sarah Vaughn” and “The New Scene”

None of them were exactly serious swinging Jazz records. Even our beloved Sassy had her forays into “Lite” fare and Pop land.

Surprised that you are not raking the reviewer over the coals for daring to say anything negative about icons like Duke and Ella.

Actually my first post was just as you stated, almost word for word, but a little more 'explicit'.  Closed the window by mistake and had to write it again.   Thought about  the Regulators / moderators and thought I'd better play it safe.

Thanks for your insight into the performance.

Cheers

@frogman 

Upon careful relistening, I hear your point.

Thanks

Cheers