DUKE ELLINGTON AT FARGO, 1940 LIVE / Original 1978 (3) lp Box Set NEW & SEALED

$

50

Original 1978 BOOK-OF-THE MONTH-CLUB three record box set, DUKE ELLINGTON AT FARGO, 1940 LIVE (30-5622)
Wikipedia: At Fargo won the Grammy Award for Best Jazz Instrumental Performance, Big Band at the 22nd Grammy Awards.[11]

Allmusic.com review Scott Yanow posits that "there was no better orchestra at the time, and rarely since".[7] JazzTimes writer Harvey Siders says, "the real star, of course, is the band, with its organized chaos, its sophistication, its jungle heat, its ability to respond to the improvisational genius of Duke".[12] A Storyville Records reviewer argues "the Fargo performance still resonates as one of the greatest concert recordings in all of jazz, on a par with Benny Goodman at Carnegie, Coltrane at the Vanguard, or Ellington at Newport in 1956".[13]

AMG 5 STARS: One winter night in late 1940, Jack Towers (then a young Ellington fan) received permission to record the orchestra on his portable disc cutter at a dance in Fargo, ND. Little did he know that it was a historic night (as trumpeter Ray Nance made his debut with the band) and that the band would be in inspired form. Decades later the music came out on LP and now this double CD includes every scrap of music that has survived. The Duke Ellington Orchestra was at one of its peaks during this period, overflowing with distinctive and unique soloists, and propelled by the top bassist in jazz (Jimmy Blanton). With the accelerated writing activity of Ellington and his new musical partner Billy Strayhorn, there was no better orchestra at the time, and rarely since. Tenor saxophonist Ben Webster is heard in top form on "Star Dust," cornetist Rex Stewart, trombonists Tricky Sam Nanton and Lawrence Brown, clarinetist Barney Bigard, and altoist Johnny Hodges also have some very strong moments, and Ray Nance does his best to fit in; many in the band were hearing him for the first time. It is indeed very fortunate that Jack Towers was present for what would have been a forgotten one-night stand.

Side 1

1. "The Mooche"
2. "Sepia Panorama (theme)"
3. "Ko-Ko"
4. "There Shall Be No Night"
5. "Pussy Willow"
6. "Chatterbox"
7. "Mood Indigo"

Side 2

1. "Harlem Air Shaft"
2. "The Ferryboat Serenade"
3. "Warm Valley"
4. "Stompy Jones"
5. "Bojangles"
6. "You Took Advantage of Me"
7. "Rumpus in Richmond"

Side 3

1. "The Flaming Sword"
2. "Never No Lament"
3. "Clarinet Lament"
4. "Slap Happy"
5. "Sepia Panorama"

Side 4

1. "Boy Meets Horn"
2. " 'Way Down Yonder in New Orleans"
3. "Oh, Babe! Maybe Someday"
4. "Five O'Clock Whistle"
5. "Rockin' in Rhythm"
6. "Sophisticated Lady"

Side 5

1. "Cotton Tail"
2. "Whispering Grass"
3. "Conga Brava"
4. "I Never Felt This Way Before"
5. "Across the Track Blues"

Side 6

1. "Honeysuckle Rose"
2. "Wham"
3. "Star Dust"
4. "Rose of the Rio Grande"
5. "St. Louis Blues"