Audio CD review:
Duke Ellington - Far East Suite

Duke Ellington - Far East Suite

Band: Duke Ellington Title: Far East Suite Rating: Release Date: 07 October, 2003 Media: Audio CD Tracks: 1: Tourist Point of View 2: Bluebird of Delhi (Mynah) 3: Isfahan 4: Depk 5: Mount Harissa 6: Blue Pepper (Far East of the Blues) 7: Agra 8: Amad 9: Ad Lib on Nippon 10: Tourist Point of View [Alternate Take][#][*] 11: Amad [Alternate Take][#][*] 12: Bluebird of Delhi (Mynah) [Alternate Take][*] 13: Bluebird of Delhi (Mynah) [Alternate Take][#][*] 14: Isfahan [Alternate Take][*] 15: Depk [Alternate Take][#][*] 16: Mount Harissa [Alternate Take][#][*]

Customer Reviews Jonny Quest jazz They both try to invoke a sense of adventure and exoticism inspired by far off, and mysterious lands. There's something about this album, especially the opening track that always reminds me of the theme to the old Jonny Quest cartoon. Granted, comparing Duke Ellington's version to an old cartoon theme is perhaps a bit trite. This is after all one of the finest composers the world has ever seen. And the material here is clear evidence of his right to that stature. There is a subtlety and sexuality that underpins that feeling of adventure and exoticism, especially in a track like Isfahan. But there's also a playful side to this album in a song like Bluebird of Delhi which always conjures the image of a camel conversing with a fliting bird or the hard kick of Blue Pepper. In short this is Duke being Duke in all his greatness, having a whole lot of fun doing it, and expressing it in every note. Ellington & Strayhorn at their very best The album has been with me for all this time, and every new cd edition seems to improve on the last. The Far East Suite I first heard on Dutch radio, back in '67 or '68. This edition caps them all. The sound quality has never been that good. To my ears, it matches the impeccable Japanese LP pressing made 25 or so years ago. This is classical music: it gets better over time, and it was already fantastic when it came out. Just listen to Isfahan, Agra and Ad Lib on Nippon, and you'll understand what made this big band the very best that ever existed. Hats off to RCA for this new and great reissue. Spicy and Fun " I could listen to that piece all day. Particularly "Ad Lib on Nippon. It's delightfully dynamic and hedonistic. It's a travesty that the Duke didn't win the Pulitzer for music. . You can see a complete list of all Duke Ellington discography, or go back to the Duke Ellington tabs