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Blues in Orbit
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Binding: Audio CD
EAN: 0886972414225
Format: Original recording remastered
Label: Sbme Special Mkts.
Manufacturer: Sbme Special Mkts.
MPN: 724142
Number Of Discs: 1
Publisher: Sbme Special Mkts.
Release Date: February 01, 2008
Studio: Sbme Special Mkts.
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Editorial Review:
The atmospheric, floating quality (see title) of the production and the mysterious, airy, and sparse arrangements make this album an overlooked gem in the Ellington catalog. Two of the tracks were cut in 1958 utilizing the full 15-piece orchestra: the slow-moving blues of the title track, where the leader's eerie piano fills answer the statements of the full band, and "Track 360," a dramatic aural representation of a train wreck. The remainder of the CD (minus one other track) was recorded with slightly smaller configurations at two midnight sessions in December of the following year. Ray Nance (the only trumpet because of band restructuring) and especially Johnny Hodges offer the most rewarding solo contributions of the date, many of which stand alongside their best ever. Hodges's magnificently fragile and seductive alto graces "Brown Penny" and handles both delicate and driving passages with aplomb on Billy Strayhorn's "Smada" (with the composer in the piano chair) while Nance belts out the bridge. The band also revisits earlier classics from the Ellington songbook: Nance shows his violin prowess on "C Jam Blues" before growling through "In a Mellotone"; "Sentimental Lady" is in Hodges's capable caress. --Marc Greilsamer
Customer Reviews
Average Rating: 
Rating: - Desert Island Music!
How can this not be a famous classic! It's accessible, it's jumpin', it's inventive, it's super fun. It's a treat for the ears and the brain. It is NOT crazy braying horns or musicians run amuk or decent ideas played to death. It's not one tiny bit dated. Makes you smile and tap your toes, snap your fingers. What more do you want from recorded music?
Rating: - BIG BAND BLUES
THE SONGS RECORDED FOR THIS ALBUM WERE MADE IN 1958 & 1959. DUKE ELLINGTON IS A MASTER AT THE TOP OF HIS GAME FOR THIS RELEASE. GREAT ARRANGMENTS, RECORDING QUALITY, AND MUSICIANSHIP, PARTICULARLY ELLINGTON BAND MAINSTAYS RAY NANCE (TRUMPET) AND JOHNNY HODGES(SAX)AND, OF COURSE, THE DUKE HIMSELF. NO NEED TO GO INTO A SONG BY SONG ANALYSIS, 'CAUSE THEY ALL STAND OUT. NOT A BAD CUT ON THE ALBUM. PICK UP ANY OF THE ALBUMS BY DUKE ELLINGTON RECORDED IN THE 1950'S AND YOU WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED. ... Read More
Rating: - Head Boppin Fun
Well the Jimmy Hamilton intro is worth the price of the Cd but if you are a layman with little experience with Duke this is a great Cd to get as your first you will tap and shake and smile into the wee hours of the morning.
Rating: - A Classic Album Beyond Description
The only reason this 1959 album doesn't come up in conversations about Duke's best albums is simply because Duke's catalogue is so enormous and literally every thing he did is classic or near classic. In other words if Duke had recorded only a dozen lp's in his lifetime- this lp would be praised to the high heaven's- and in a lot of circles today it is highly praised as one of his best. I've been listening to this cd in my Buick Park Avenue all week long and can't get enough of "C Jam Blues " and "Three ... Read More
Rating: - This should be a classic
What an excellent session by the Duke. I don't know why this isn't considered one of the classic Duke Ellington records. I picked it up because it was on sale and was blown away. All of the songs are excellent, "Pie Eye Blues" and "Sentimental Lady" are my favorites. But pick any track at random, they're all great.
This is a pretty loose session, true, but by no means is it sloppy. If anything, the looseness makes these great tunes even more engaging. The Duke's playing is, of course, ... Read More
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