Customer Reviews:

Avg. Customer Rating: 4.8 / 5.0

Fantastic compilation of vintage Ellington:

"Black and Tan Fantasy," "Moonglow," "Boy Meets Horn" "Take the 'A' Train," "Jump for Joy." Those classics and 89 others are featured on this amazing four-disc set put out by Proper Records. To me, this is Duke Ellington at his very best. "Masterpieces" showcases the classic big band swing sound including an occasional vocal accompaniment, sweet horn solos and a hopping piano.
While the unquestioned star is bandleader and arranger Ellington, other music luminaries such as Cootie Williams, Barney Bigard,... more info

An excellent overview of Ellington's earlier work:

This is about as coherent an overview of the earlier recordings of Ellington that you are likely to find. Ellington and his orchestra recorded with Vocalion, Okeh, Brunswick, Columbia & RCA Victor at various times, and re-recorded, several times, most of the selections found on this collection. The result is a tangle of recordings that makes the definitive Ellington collection impossible. Complicating matters is the fact that different modern corporations (Sony & BMG, for example) own the rights to... more info

great!:

If you don't know Duke Ellington's music, and are looking for a good introduction, buy this. It is simply fantastic, and the price can't be beat.

Tracks:

1. East St. Louis Toodle-Oo - Duke Ellington & His Kentucky Club Orchestra
2. Birmingham Breakdown - Duke Ellington & His Kentucky Club Orchestra
3. Black and Tan Fantasy - Duke Ellington
4. Black Beauty - Duke Ellington & His Orchestra
5. Mooche - Duke Ellington & His Orchestra
6. Awful Sad - Duke Ellington
7. Blues With a Feeling - Duke Ellington
8. Misty Mornin' - Duke Ellington
9. Flaming Youth - Duke Ellington
10. Hot Feet - Duke Ellington
11. Double Check Stomp - Duke Ellington & His Cotton Club Orchestra
12. Ring Dem Bells - Duke Ellington & His Orchestra
13. Old Man Blues - Duke Ellington & His Orchestra
14. Mood Indigo - Duke Ellington
15. Rockin' in Rhythm - Duke Ellington
16. Echoes of the Jungle - Duke Ellington & His Cotton Club Orchestra

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