> > Not their best, but it gives me a will to live some days is WSQ's
> > Ellington record.
> > Helps me soar sometimes.
>
> I think I'll stick with a Duke
> recording as his 100th birthday is tomorrow. Maybe something from _And
> His Mother Called Him Bill_, a tribute to Billy Strayhorn and my
> favorite Ellington album.
Yep, that one is sublime, especially their rendition of
Strayhorn's "Blood Count", which Bill had written on his deathbed in the
hospital only months before. That instrumental number conveys sadness,
defiance, anger and acceptance all in the same breath. Another fine
late period Ellington album is "Blues In Orbit", which is one of the most
listenable jazz records in print from any era. Highly recommended.
Twang content: heard a terrific version of Duke's "Don't Get
Around Much Anymore" last weekend by Hank Thompson.
An unabashed Ellington freak,
Kip
