About This Item
This collection compiles, for the first time on a single disc issue, all the master takes of the instrumental recordings in which Duke Ellington participated for Mercer Records between 1950 and 1951. Made under the names of other band members - for contractual reasons, these sides feature the likes of Johnny Hodges, Oscar Pettiford, Max Roach, Billy Strayhorn, Louie Bellson, Juan Tizol and Willie Smith. These sides remain among the most unusual and fascinating in Duke's extensive catalogue. Unfortunately, the masters for these recordings were destroyed in a fire in the 1950's. For this issue they have been transferred and restored from the best possible surviving sources and remastered to the best quality possible. Album Tracks 1. Perdido 2. Take the InchAInch Train 3. Oscalypso 4. Blues for Blanton 5. Untitled Blues/Blues No. 3 6. The New Piano Roll Blues 7. Cotton Tail 8. C Jam Blues 9. Flamingo 10. Bang-Up Blues 11. Things Ain't What They Used to Be 12. Tonk 13. Johnny Come Lately 14. In a Blue Summer Garden 15. Great Times 16. Night Walk (Aka InchCat WalkInch) 17. Moonlight Fiesta 18. She 19. The Happening 20. Swamp Drum 21. Sultry Serenade 22. Indian Summer 23. Britt - and - Butter Blues 24. Caravan 25. Alternate 26. Hoppin' John 27. Jumping with Symphony Sid
