About This Item
The year is 1973 and the great Maestro Duke Ellington led his world famous orchestra on it's final European tour. To collectors and expert listeners alike this performance is a rare document of his final band which includes a few remaining veterans and a healthy sprinkling of young blood who would keep the Ellington flame lit for some time after Duke's passing, as members of the Ellington Orchestra led by his son Mercer. The remarkable thing about this recording is that Ellington, despite being terminally ill, is still playing like a younger man, full of energy and fresh ideas. The material is standard fare, but the music has a certain urgency and abandon that will convince the listener that Duke had much more left to express before leaving the planet. The concert was produced by George Wein as part of the 'Newport to Paris' series, and features special guest pianists Raymond Fol and Claude Bolling, as well as Ellingtonians such as Harry Carney, Russell Procope, Harold Minerve, Johnny Coles, and many more. Album Tracks 1. Rockin' in Rhythm 2. Creole Love Call 3. Spacemen 4. Caravan 5. How High the Moon 6. New York, New York 7. I Got It Bad and That Ain't Good 8. Blem 9. Chinoiserie 10. Basin Street Blues 11. Medley Don't Get Around Much Anymore / Mood Indigo / I'm Beginning to See the Light / Sophisticated Lady 12. In Triplicate 13. Love You Madly 14. One More Time 15. Woods 16. Somebody Cares 17. Take the 'A' Train 18. Take the 'A' Train 19. Lotus Blossom
