[78-L] Top Dukes

[simmonssomer]

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Taylor Bowie" <bowiebks at isomedia.com>
To: "78-L Mail List" <78-l at klickitat.78online.com>
Sent: Friday, December 18, 2009 3:21 PM
Subject: [78-L] Top Dukes


>> 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

You're right. Sorry. I omitted 1941 thoughtlessly.
"Sidewalks of New York" is a great record.
Also try the Charlie Barnet version. Incredible!

Al S.