(Tks 5-8): As above: Cook, Anderson & Baker out. June 1957.
(Tks 9-12): Baker returns. Sept. 1957.
Another classic album from Tuesday's Hexham jaunt - Johnny Hodges leading the Ellington band with Duke's alter ego Strayhorn on piano. Even without Ellington as composer, arranger, pianist or leader such is the influence the great man had on his musicians that he could have been there in any one or, indeed, all of those roles and I wouldn't have known the difference!
Hodges is at his silken toned best, as smooth as ever - he could turn a simple scale into a thing of beauty. I first heard the Ellington band live around about the time of this recording at Newcastle's Odeon Cinema and I marvelled at the sound that filled every corner of the theatre. This was the first American big band I'd ever heard and, overnight. the bands of Heath, Parnell, Dankworth and the other Brits were put into perspective.
As well as the leader (for the day!) all of the soloists on this now treasured piece of 12" vinyl are in top form. Carney's majestic baritone, the screamers from Cat, Hamilton on both tenor and clarinet, Jackson and Nance in the growl dept. and Terry as quirky as ever. Say what you like about Norman Granz he knew how to pick a winner and he excelled even himself with this one.
Surprisingly, Gonsalves doesn't solo - maybe he fell asleep - and nor did Procope who, like Hodges, also plays alto...
In the June 1959 issue of the long defunct Jazz Monthly 5 out of their 6 reviewers made it their Record of the Month and deservedly so.
Tremendous. Lance
(Composer in brackets): Don't Call Me, I'll Call You (Anderson); An Ordinary Thing; (Anderson); Waiting For Duke (Anderson); Dust Bowl (Hodges); Little Rabbit Blues (Hodges); Johnny Come Lately (Strayhorn); Gone and Crazy (Hodges); Segdoh (Hodges); Viscount (Hodges/Mercer Ellington); Bouquet of Roses (Hodges/Mercer Ellington); Digits (Terry); Early Morning Rock (Hodges)
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