[78-L] Top Dukes

[Taylor Bowie]

> In my opinion the 1939-1940  Ellington recordings were his very best work
> and boasted
> an unequaled orchestra full of soloists and section men of the first rank.
>
> Al Simmons


We're close,  Al...but I'll go for 1940-41...cuz I've gotta have "John 
Hardy's Wife"!!

Not to go out on a limb and maybe get sawed off...but wasn't it when Blanton 
joined that everything just perked up with Ellington?

I can still remember the first time I heard the Ellington Victor of 
Sidewalks of New York when I was 12  years old (1965) and how all of a 
sudden I  understood what a bass in a big band was all about!

It's still my favorite Ellington record...that last passage with all the 
reeds in perfect unison and blend just slays me every time,  even after 
hundreds of plays.

Taylor