SELECTED AS ONE OF THE 100 BEST JAZZ ALBUMS OF ALL TIME !!

4 1/2 STARS DOWN BEAT (1957)
 

"Ellington Indigos is virtually a dance set. Duke mixes some of his tunes with some standards by other composers and plays then with emphasis on shades of colour. He has "Soltude"  pretty much of himself; Gonsalves' breathly tenor has a showpiece on "Where or When"; then Baker (muted) takes over "Mood Indigo", and this shouln't be missd" - Don Cerulli

AN OUTSTANDING EXAMPLE OF THE ELLINGTON ORCHESTRA PLAYING JAZZ STANDARDS!

INCLUDES THE COMPLETE ORIGINAL ALBUM ELLINGTON INDIGOS PLUS TWO RARE TUNES FROM THE SESSIONS OMITTED FROM THE ORIGINAL LP AND ALL OF THE ALTERNATE TAKES!! MUCH OF THE BONUS MATERIAL APPEARS HERE ON CD FOR THE FIRST
TIME EVER!

As the original liner notes for the Indigos album clearly states, the Ellington orchestra not only performed in concert halls - presenting extended suites to be listened to from the comfort of a plush theatre seat - it was also a legendary dance band, accustomed to playing very personal versions of the most celebrated standards as well as the numerous compositions by its leader. It must be said, however, that the prolific Ellington book well outnumbered the renditions of tunes from Tin-Pan-Alley. Therefore, Duke and his long-time partner Billy Strayhorn's treatment of well known songs like "Willow Weep for Me", "Tenderly" and "Dancing in the Dark", always makes for an exciting listening experience. This edition put together for the first time ever all the material from the Indigos sessions, including two tunes omitted from the album and all of the alternate takes.

Personnel:

DUKE ELLINGTON, and His Orchestra

Clark Terry, Willie Cook, Cat Anderson, Harold "Shorty" Baker (tp),
Ray Nance (tp, vln, vcl),
Quentin Jackson, John Sanders, Britt Woodman (tb)
Jimmy Hamilton (cl, ts),
Russell Procope (as, cl)
Johnny Hodges, Rick Henderson (as)
Paul Gonsalves (ts),
Harry Carney (bar, cl, b-cl)
Duke Ellington (p)
Jimmy Woode (b)
Sam Woodyard (d)
Jimmy Grissom (vcl on 11 & 19 only),
Ozzie Bailey (vcl on 10 & 15 only).

Recorded in New York, March 13, September 9 & October 1-14, 1957.

Tracks:

01, Solitude
02. Where Or When
03. Mood Indigo
04. Night And Day
05. Prelude To A Kiss
06. All The Things You Are
07. Willow Weep For Me
08.Tenderly
09. Dancing In The Dark
10. Autumn Leaves
11. The Sky Fell Down
12. Commercial Time
13. Mood Indigo
14. Mood Indigo
15. Autumn Leaves
16. Willow Weep For Me
17. Where Or When
18. All The Things You Are
19. Love [My Heart, My Mind, My Everything]