surprising and refreshing
All the more so as he is playing next to a giant like the Duke! Music flows effortlessly and exudes with pathos. You would never think a bass could perform the role of a real protagonist as it does in this dramatic recording by Ray Brown. . . a unique combination, piano and bass, and this CD takes it to a peak of excellence. .
Things Ain't What They Used to Be
Two mature and brilliant artists working together with a clear concept and plenty of spirit, Ellington and Brown give the best possible tribute to Ellington's famous 1940's collaboration with his brilliant, influential, but prematurely deciesed bass player Jimmy Blanton. Yes, this is a unique and beautiful album.
Revisiting the past in the company of Ray Brown (one of the contributors to the be-bop revolution and one of the rocks both modern and mainstream jazz stood on at the time of the recording), Ellington once again displays why he is one of the greatest pianists and one of the greatest minds in jazz, a measure of greatness for all younger tallents. .
Btw, if this date is not modern enough for your tastes, check out Ellington's great and unique collaboration with Charlie Mingus (another participant in Blanton's but also in Ellington's legacy) and Max Roach (on of the greatest modern drummers, experts say)on the album "Money Jungle" Money Jungle.
This one's for Blanton!
I think it sounds just as good as SACD or Great LP. This Japanese pressing CD could be the best sounding "red book" CD I have ever heard.
Perfect Music
Perfect Performance
Perfect Sound (forever).
The old Duke still gives me surprises
The one who made me love jazz as to so many millions of people. One of my musicians and composers. Someone who is part of my life and my thoughts is Mr. Duke Ellington. I love his music, his orchestra, the way he composed for an orchestra that never died and always kept alive despite the bop, hard bop, etc. . . The most imaginative orchestra led by the most innovative of the conductors, composers and men of jazz. Well, with this record, he made me confirm that there's no other jazzman like him. I heard "Do Nothin' Till You Hear from Me" and never missed the band, he and the excellent bass player Ray Brown invented the big band for two. And the rest of the tracks give you the same sensation. The old man kept on being bold and audacious till the end of his life. Creating with Mr. Brown, with Mr. Coltrane, with whoever. He was able to do anything and this album is the evidence.
Bless you, Duke. I envy those who are in heaven with you. .
A Great Album By Two Major Jazz Musicians
Without him, this great work would probably not exist. I have to start off by paying respects and thanks to Norman Granz who produced this and many unique recordings done at the Pablo label, which he started in 1973.
A major influence on Ray Brown during his youth was Jimmy Blanton; a young, inventive player who worked with Duke Ellington from 1939 until his untimely death in 1942. He is considered a liberator of the bass from a strictly rhythm role to one inclusive as a solo instrument. In the spring of 1977, Ray Brown was the chief clinician at Loyola University's annual jazz festival. It was the first time I met him and had the opportunity to talk with him. One of the things I asked was if he had ever met Blanton before his death, which he had not. Since Ray's playing had a great influence on me musically, I felt very fortunate to have the chance to meet and talk with him. Whenever he was performing within a reasonable driving distance (read up to 4-5 hours), my wife and I would go to hear him. It was always worth the effort.
This album gave Ray Brown the opportunity to work with Ellington in duo setting, just piano and bass. And he had the chance to play those tunes that Blanton had played with the "Duke" during Ray's teen years. There's some great music recorded here that's worth hearing more than once. I pretty much wore out the vinyl copy of this recording when I found a copy of it soon after its original release. Anyone who is interested should try to find copies of the other Pablo albums that Ray Brown was recorded on with people like Shelley Manne, Clark Terry, Dizzy Gillespie, and others. There are probably reissues from Fantasy of those just as I found a reissue of this recording on CD a few years ago.
This a great album that deserves a place in the music library of anyone who loves jazz and who might also have a special affection for bass.
You can see a complete list of all Duke Ellington with Ray Brown discography, or go back to the Duke Ellington with Ray Brown tabs
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