Audio CD review:
Duke Ellington with Count Basie's Orchestra - First Time: The Count Meets the Duke

Duke Ellington with Count Basie's Orchestra - First Time: The Count Meets the Duke

Band: Duke Ellington with Count Basie's Orchestra Title: First Time: The Count Meets the Duke Rating: Release Date: 27 April, 1999 Media: Audio CD Tracks: 1: Battle Royal 2: To You 3: Take The "A" Train 4: Until I Met You 5: Wild Man 6: Segue In C 7: B D B 8: Jumpin' At The Woodside 9: One More Once - (bonus track) 10: Take The "A" Train - (bonus track, previously unreleased, alternate take, rehearsal) 11: Jumpin' At The Woodside - (bonus track, previously unreleased, alternate take) 12: B D B - (bonus track, previously unreleased, alternate take) 13: Blues In Hoss' Flat (Blues In Frankie's Flat) - (bonus track) 14: Wild Man - (bonus track, previously unreleased, alternate take) 15: Battle Royal - (bonus track, previously unreleased, alternate take, rehearsal) 16: (Pause Track)

Editoral Review The composer credits and solo space are divided democratically, to say the least--four songs from Duke's camp, four from Basie's. The two greatest big bands in jazz history side by side on your headphones: What can be more glorious? If, as Billy Strayhorn said, Duke Ellington's band was his instrument, then this 1961 session finds Ellington and Count Basie "trading fours," as it were. The sparring between soloists of both bands is a pure delight, especially the gentle conversations between the two leaders-pianists, who finish each other's thoughts as if all four hands were attached to one unified torso. Highlights include two engaging new Duke compositions--the blistering opener "Battle Royal" and the impulsive "Wild Man"--and the closing Basie chestnut "Jumpin' at the Woodside," on which the lead tenors Frank Foster and Paul Gonsalves engage in ferocious dueling. Amazingly, there is no toe-stepping amid the rousing interplay. --Marc Greilsamer .. You can see a complete list of all Duke Ellington with Count Basie's Orchestra discography, or go back to the Duke Ellington with Count Basie's Orchestra tabs