Reviews (page 3 of 11)
Smooth :)
4-5
There is a bit of irony to the random album selections at times on this list, and for me the irony today is that yesterday I dumped on the Hüsker Dü album for being too long and then today I’m given an album where the billed “complete” version is over two hours. I considered going for the original release but opted for the complete version instead. Figured I’d give it a go and if it was dragging I would flip over to the shorter version. Holy shit that wasn’t an issue at all. I was fully sucked in immediately. I bought like 2 pounds of shrimp for dinner and realized they weren’t deveined, so me and my novice knife skills had plenty of time to kill to let it all play out. At first I was just kind of vibing, it was a good performance by the backing band and I enjoyed the vamping of the emcee as the band was constantly shuffling around to prep between songs, but by the time Festival Junction starts hitting its peak I was barely paying attention to my work at hand. Chills down my spine. Incredible. They were locked in on this particular evening, and once the band hits that peak they just rip the rest of the way through. By the time Diminuendo In Blue is hitting those loud trumpet stings at the end overloading mics into the red, I was convinced this isn’t just a new favorite of mine from a genre I barely know, it may be among the finest live albums I’ve ever heard. I should also mention the crowd on this album. I have a vision in my head of a Jazz crowd being on the more silent and contemplative side, and I feel the beginning of this record had their reactions pretty in line with what I would expect. What I loved is they started getting more and more rowdy, I would assume in part due to the historical excellence occurring on stage in front of them. Reading up about it I see what I couldn’t on the album: The crowd was worked into a full blown frenzy due to dancing in the aisles escalating to what I imagine would be the closest thing to a mosh pit the 50’s had to offer. That energy fed the band who kept ramping it up harder and harder. Eventually, they tried to call it a night, and the crowd goes BALLISTIC, threatening to turn violent if they don’t hear more Jazz. So they get it. The show goes a bit longer than intended and ends with an incredible performance of Mood Indigo. I normally pick my top tracks, and I suppose I’ve stated them above, but truthfully this is a performance best experienced as a whole. The build to chaos is amazing to behold and the energy is unrivaled. What a pleasure to listen to. Once the original performance ended I was delighted to hear additional performances and some studio renditions were also on the album. What a shift, from yesterday feeling like I couldn’t pay attention for over an hour to today wishing there were more than 2 hours of music to enjoy.
Transcendent, truly great
Really enjoyed it. I've been trying to get into more jazz over the past couple of years, and I've learned there's a whole lot out there, even when you just consider some of the classic artists. Everything from compilations to live albums...stuff that was a once-in-a-lifetime event. I got the impression that this recording really captured something special in Ellington's career.
Album 308 of 1001 Duke Ellington - Ellington at Newport Rating : 5 / 5 Back to the basics. I love the horns and Duke does it as well as any. What awesome sounds this album gives us. Paul Gonsalves's tenor saxophone solo on 'Diminuendo In Blue', alone, is well worth the ticket price. Put this one on, sit back, chill out in whatever manner you see fit. You can't miss with this one.
What a crazy crowd! Pretty sure this was in my dad's CD collection on heavy rotation.
1956 -working on my electric train in the basement in winter. Dad comes home around noon on a Saturday and works on something in another part of the basement. He turns on the radio and the tubes warm up...we listen to the Mal Bellairs show on WBBM in Chicago with this kind of music. Mmmm, memories of a wonderful time and feeling the love.
Firstly, a shout out to the algorithm for setting all the long albums for the weekend. Secondly, this is fantastic. I was nearly up doing the jitterbug halfway through, and I have no idea what the jitterbug even is.
Love it. Love hearing the classic jazz that I’ve heard in jazz and marching band my whole life from the legend himself and his amazing band
Einer der großen Meister, was soll man da sagen. Als Live-Aufnahme für diese Zeit gar nicht so schlecht. Witzig sind die Ansagen, z.B. wird Quincy Jones als vielversprechender Arrangeur angekündigt ;-)
Good kitchen music
Absolutely electric~!
Very talented unfortunately I am uncultured swine and I like newer things
Great sound
Great mix of jazz. Slow Blues. Jive. Horn players going mad for it.
Great album! Easy listening and he carried the crowd.
This was great! Jazzy but not pretentious or annoying.
Bliss. Pure quality
Love this album! Jazz is so unpredictable and soul-soothing.
Absolute Banger of a 2 hour set of Duke and the band. Learned fun facts about his band members' average tenure and their loyalty
pure genius, a masterpiece
Great classic orchestral jazz! Clean and upbeat sound. Loved it!!
Love the album, live jazz rules and if you can see it live you should, but I’d love to hone in on Father Norman O’Connor. This dude should be the interlude to all albums, he is so awkward and keeps talking about the weather. I was delighted when he started talking about the due they must pay to the west coast, but then he starts talking about Newport and Boston again as if his wife caught him looking at other women. Continuously odd and I’m so glad they kept it in the recording.
Really into the Duke! Very long album, but so good!
Simply a Masterpiece!
this is an absolute treat. I was initially concerned at the run time but it is so worth it, it's such a rewarding listen when you get to 'Diminuendo in Blue' and you hear the crowd shift into excitement, then frenzy. The remainder of the record after the sax interlude is pure gold, with the audience willing the band on, and muffling out the organisers calls for the end of the performance. So happy to have been able to listen to this
Loved it. Not a Jaz fan but this was great
CLASSIC
dude what a good album. love jazz 10/10 fav tracks: Tea for Two, Skin Deep, Blues to Be There
I have a hard time imagining a better album to put on if you're itching for a couple hours of jazz. Just throw this on and you're sorted for the night. Incredible work here by Duke Ellington and company. I'm not usually into the live album experience, but I don't think there was a single time during this album that I can say I was distracted by it or that anything was taken away due to it's live nature. In many cases it was just the opposite. It's easy to say this album feels like an event, but I think it's entirely accurate. Highlight: I Got It Bad (And That Ain't Good) Surprise Hit: Diminuendo In Blue
Enjoyed. Wish it didn't have the monologues, but still want to get something from him now.
Not a huge fan of big band jazz, but still a great album. There is some swing on here too, which is great.
I only feel sorry for those who stop here; Duke's the foundation for plenty of equal jazz to come. The conceit is terribly obvious now, but the band cooks regardless. Useful counterpoint to the Ibrahim from the other day: Piano stays buried but the band sound doesn't suffer.
1956 - Live Jazz
9/10
Top
The sounds they got out of the trumpet. It sounds like a human voice at times. I may have had trouble listening to the full 2 hour plus recording. But the original record is fantastic.
A musical, historical experience
Man, when the band really gets cooking, like in Diminuendo in Blue, they are absolutely on fire. If you don't enjoy that performance then you probably just don't like music.
Fantastic. Ellington is an all-time great.
Grandma E’s favorite musician. This album is special bc it’s wild and live.
coated
Pretty good slap fest - would recommend if you want to listen to some Jazz on a sunday.
Legendary
Met veel plezier naar geluisterd. Soms wel erg scherp, maar meestal wel lekker.
The greatest of the jazz big bands? Perhaps. The greatest jazz composer? Probably. An absolute watershed in jazz from that most elegant elegance, Ellington. If this doesn’t move you, you don’t like jazz. A top 5 must own album if you’re into jazz - kind of blue, a love supreme, this, Louis Armstrong hot six, and goodman at Carnegie hall. That will do for now. That list will change. But the duke will remain on it. Timeless. Iconic. Gorgeous. 17 stars.
I’m lucky enough to have an American copy of the original vinyl, which features only 5 tracks over 44 odd minutes, so that’s what I’m talking about here, not the remastered 1999 cd set, which added an extra dozen tracks, mainly consisting of a selection of Duke’s greatest hits. The original album is startling. It was only when I read the wiki entry that I discovered that only 40% of that recording was live - the album had been fabricated by a studio recording made after Newport, because Ellington thought the festival recordings were not quite up to release standard. When you’r listening to it, that makes very little difference. The quality of the orchestra is second to none. The fact is that by 1956, big band swing music was pretty much buried, particularly after the birth of rock’n’roll. But Ellington had kept the faith, even to the point of subsidising the band out of his own pocket to keep it on the road. He did not even have a recording contract when he went to Newport, but he certainly did straight after this performance. The record ends with the magnificent Diminuendo And Crescendo In Blue, featuring an amazing solo by tenor-sax man Paul Gonsalves. The record swings from go to whoa.one of the great live albums.
That walking bassline throughout is fantastic. And "Take the A Train" is a classic.
Great album
Really great jazz record!
Great
Star ratings suck
amazing jazz. and to think this was LIVE wtf man
Fun fact: my most high profile exposure to Duke Ellington thus far has been playing Caravan in a high school jazz ensemble. I was on bass. Album #7. Jazz, like metal, is another genre that I’m not very familiar with, though taking music for four years has given me more of an exposure to the former. I’m willing to admit that when I saw this album, I didn’t exactly have high hopes, as while I have cataloged memorable jazz songs, no one album has particularly stood out to me. This, umm….this changed that. From the first breath of the musicians, this recording took mine away. This is life-affirming music, music that could be serving in the background but rewards immensely if paid attention to. This is music to be played loud so you can mosh, sway, and groove to it alone at home or (I wish) with your closest friends. This is music that makes a mockery of any album that uses a brass instrument and calls itself jazz. This is music that humiliates “big band” music that’s really just loud music. Life-changing solos, impeccable swings, and trance-inducing melodies are contained within. After hearing the LP version, I was actually tempted to start again with the hours-spanning complete edition. I’ve been converted. Gonna put it on right now perhaps. Long live the Duke and his horde of life-givers. I really don’t care that it’s not live.
Oh my god. Yes
Full of life. Guaranteed to make a jazz fan of you.
Amazing!
Classic Duke is 5 stars 5 out of 5 times 5-ever.
Fantastic big band swing. You can feel the energy and excitement in the room. And I'm a sucker for a good shout chorus!
Glorious and groovy. 5 stars.
Terrific! I listened to the whole 2 hour deluxe album and it was fantastic!
Hilarious that a Jazz show in Rhode Island resulted in a riot, but the show was an absolute banger. I really loved the start where some guy from Providence RI was shitting on the rest of the country, because he's provincial and likes his Boston folk. Either way great show, and the closer was a ton of fun. I already mentioned the riot, but I think it bears mentioning again - there was no call for an encore, no dopey shuffling around while the lights came on, just pure boos and chaos when the set ended and the house tried to get everyone to leave. Amazing - the crowd at a death grips concert didn't even have the balls to riot when the show ended, so it shows how nuts it was.
Man it would’ve been fun to be alive during the golden age of jazz and to see these guys. The culture wrapped up in it is so rich and interesting. Oh the songs are cool too
A miracle on tape
great album
I want to get wasted and listen to this with jazz people. 9/10
wonderful
Jazz Classic - Very upbeat
Long, but I never felt it. Just incredible all the way through. Not once does it get repetitive or boring
I feel like this album deserves an honorary 5. Duke Ellington is one of the great Jazz legends and to have his live sessions recorded and cemented in history is a treasure. With that said, though, this album is too long haha and I do not see my self listening to this on repeat
Jazz, baby
Sensational performance. I love that big band sound. The band plays to entertain and the crowd is loving it! I think this is my first time listening to Duke Ellington. He’s a great piano player. He loves to riff on the melody with these drunken-sounding off key notes. Very fun, really entertaining. That wailing at the end of “Festival Junction”!! Wow, that’s wild! Excellent. Really enjoyed this.
I can see why this album is such a classic. Will have to look into getting a vinyl of this soon. I can see why this kicked back up Ellington's career--electrifying, can practically feel the music tickling you through your headphones!
The background comments on Dimenuendo are classic as Paul Gonzolas is egged on to continue his solo until he collapses. This album is overflowing with excellent solos. You can really feel the crowd’s energy even on the studio recordings -lol. I didn’t know jazz audiences (or any audience in the 50s) got so unruly.
This album is cool, fun, and has the best solos.
NOW WE'RE COOKING WITH GAS BABYYYYY
I love the performances on display here, and was blown away by some of the diversity of sound.
‘Ellington At Newport’ is an incredible album and I don’t even care that parts of it were re-recorded in the studio after the live event complete with crowd noise added in. While the expanded and updated version is also good, go for the original release as it’s concise and distils the best parts of the concert over two sides. ‘Diminuendo and Crescendo in Blue’ is obviously the centrepiece and major highlight of the album, but really the whole record is excellent, and everyone should hear it.
(mostly) live and swanky old school jazz for cool cats that will put a smile on your face. 4.5/5
Un régal pour les sens - oui, pas juste les oreilles! Mon corps entier répond. Un vrai bijou
Very cool
The Duke all day, and this was a great recording.
10/10 Ellington always delivers while maybe not as apparently talented as John Coltrane, he still brings a lot to jazz that needs to be acknowledged and appreciated
An album like this just makes me want to be there which is exactly the point.
Legendary.
Loved this, keeps getting better like a great concert always does. So many great soloists. Clarinet is so great it’s weird that you don’t hear it in more modern jazz Diminuendo is cool love the long sax soloon the blues and how Ellington segues to the next section during his solo. Bari sax is so good on sophisticated lady Crazy how the crowd gets rowdier as the show goes on. Skin deep is so sick! people flip out for drum solos (I wasn’t expecting the double bass).
So glad this is on the list! One of the most epic concerts ever and would be one of my first stops if I had a Time Machine. The solo to diminuendo and crescendo in blue is iconic and one of the best blues solos of all time!
like
How can you not love this? Joyful. Just fabulous big band and swing music. The sax on I got it bad is just delicious. Also it's not a 2 hour live album, the version I listened to was very obviously the full concert first, then the same songs as a studio rerecording afterwards. Which were then smooshed together for the original release. I may save the studio ones for later.
Love.
Outstanding jazz just the way I like it!
My first real jazz album (I had Jazz Samba before this, but bossa nova is really kind of its own thing), and it’s from Sir Duke himself. I was contemplating just listening to the original, but I had a long plane ride today and decided ‘screw it I’ll just listen to the whole thing’. Probably a good idea, since because of stormy weather it left all the way at ‘Tulip or Turnip’. Anyway, how do I describe this album? I’ll just say this: it’s very warm and nice, sounds like something good to drink coffee to or whatever. That sounds like a 3 or a 4, but I actually really loved this album. ‘Diminuendo in Blue’ especially, for that legendary sax solo that made Paul Gonsalves literally faint. A must hear for any jazz fan.
Jag är ju inte så förtjust i storbandsjazz, men det här är ju strålande.
When I saw this album come up I was horrified that I would have to listen to such a long jazz album, I predicted it would be a 2-hour chore. However, the music was sublime and the talent was outstanding. The pseudo-live editing helped to make it all come together and give some sense of the pandemonium (I pretended not to know how much of it had been put together in a studio)! The whole time I was listening I was imagining old Tom & Jerry cartoons for some reason - guess the music is similar to the old soundtracks they used back then? I would definitely listen to this again and I was amazed how much I was moved by something recorded in the 1950s, the era of "bad" music.
Well... The Star Spangled Banner .......Really! Take the A Train, a classic, Mood Indigo,,,wow,,, Great album at a time when he was a great. Sir Duke at his best. Love this.
Love this Album for years and years already
Fabulous
Paul Gonsalvez single-handedly revitalized Ellington’a career. No I will not elaborate. Standout Songs: “Diminuendo and Crescendo in Blue”
The year Jazz clicked for me. Great album.
Now this is the kind of royalty I can get behind. This swings man. Dig it.
JAZZZ
Jazz is a genre that works for me best as background music. This is really great and seminal jazz though. Definitely belongs in the book.
I hope that over time the music lovers of the world will realize that Duke Ellington belongs in the same conversation as Bach and a small handful of other generationally or century-level composers (setting aside his ridiculous talents as an arranger, leader, conductor, and performer, each of which is worthy of lengthy exploration and adulation). This album is absolutely phenomenal and on its own would be worthy of this and any list of greats. Put in the greater context of Duke Ellington's lifetime of work and we're up on another plane of existence, creativity, and expression. The influence of his music and work goes much further, broader, and deeper than we can really know. Even when we're enjoying a contemporary pop song, or a celebrated punk tune, or a Broadway number, or hip-hop groove, or almost anything in the past near-century or so, much of it can be traced back to Duke Ellington. Epic. Legendary. Duke.
Wonderful! I love jazz so much and this is a really good example.
Phenomenal orchestration. As always, Duke Ellington and company show themselves to be the best at what they do. The improvisations are simply amazing and the prepared portions are played with such subtlety and precision. These are people who are so locked into each other, that their music functions as a breathing organism and responds to changes and cues as a whole. The crowd is absolutely frenetic, a testament to the power of this live performance.
Diminuendo and Crescendo in Blue is worth the price of admission alone. An incredible recording, jazz which is life-giving, vital and infectious. A truly extraordinary piece of work from the maestro. Music would sound very different without him.
Loved all two hours of this. Great live jazz album with awesome bits of chat in between.
Getting all the good ones now 😩
Probablemebt un des meilleir album jazz que j'ai ecoute depuis un mechant bout 5
5/5 exciting and amazing
Jazz great!
Hard to rate the Duke anything less than 5 stars. Obviously a bit disappointing to learn there is a mixture of studio recording here but hey it's still fucking amazing.
I love trumpet 5/5
Man, this joint is jumpin'! It's a wonderful mix of hot, frenetic, swing and cool, sexy, blues. And just to make it all sink in just a little deeper, make sure to listen to the full live version of the album.
So much incredible music on this more than 2 hours long collection. This band absolutely cooks. 5 stars
Brilliant. Absolutely brilliant. Pinnacle of jazz right here. Introduce your friends who don't know/like jazz to this album, and they'll be hooked. Favorite track: Festival Junction
As a drummer, very enjoyable, however can’t help but think it would’ve been better as a studio recording
How can I not rate this one high? Duke is, well, the Duke. And live recordings are such wonderful aural time capsules.
Better than I expected and I enjoyed it There were a few version on Apple Music and I liked the original one not the one that started with the Star Spangled banner.
I’m not a huge jazz fan, but how do you rate something like this? This is a historical artifact of the best jazz musicians at the time, I feel like me leaving a review is pointless lol If you want my opinion, I thought it was really good but the really high note horns coming through randomly weren’t exactly for me, but maybe it was popular at the time I dunno
amazing jazz figures playing live. it's fun to hear the crowd and intros in this one. i just love their performance of i got it bad (and that ain't good) here hehe (and ofc take the a train).
Big band JAZZZZZ
This list has made me listen to a lot of jazz. This was better than most of it, but that only means it's fine
очень хорошо, вайбово.
Excellent jazz. Love the live jams
Classy jazzy action.
Жяяяяяз
Wow, pretty much the first jazz record I've listened to that I "get". I don't mind the live album or the audience noises especially for this kind of genre since it's less about putting out well crafted art, and more about capturing that artistic moment in time. Easy listening too, time breezed by as I listened to this. Only thing I've noticed is that I don't really like the trumpet. Everything else sounds great, and locked in, with a tight rhythm and the trumpet came in sounding like a loud rubber chicken. Everyone else does a great job.
I enjoyed this much more than I expected. Normally jazz isn't my thing and normally live albums bother me, but i thought this worked really well. Of course the sound recording wasn't as good as a studio, and you could hear the crowd, but all those imperfections added together to make this more than the sum of its parts. As I listened I could almost picture this entire scene, an outdoor New England park, emcee giving interesting (in my opinion) context to all of this, and the crowd getting very into the entire thing. The album was too long, but thats because they included the live versions and studio versions of most of the same songs.
Don't listen to the album linked in this website, that is a remastered extended edition which is over 2h long. The original was only 43 mins long. Search for the original and you won't be disappointed, great stuff and without all the filler and introductions that are in the extended version. Someone has made a Spotify playlist with only the tracks from the original, listen to that one. Diminuendo and Crescendo in Blue is a fantastic album closer.
fire
I listened to the 1 hour 6 minute long version labeled as the original. While this still seems a bit longer than the original I think it’s a lot closer to the version meant to be listened to. It’s a dynamic fun album that seems to do a fantastic job at capturing the energy of a live show (its actual liveness is debated)
I haven't listened to the 2 hours-long live album of this one. Instead, I went for the 1 hours-long original album, which was really nice to listen to. I am starting to like Jazz!
The duke
Conceding of course that this 'Live' performance was juiced up with studio overdubs, it is still a highly enjoyable listen and a testament to the big band era. Out of fashion at the time of this recording, this was a statement by Duke and the boys that their time was not over. They hit a variety of moods here, my favorite maybe the sultry Jeep's Blues but all offering something special. The crowd at points sounds like Bernie Mac at Def Comedy Jam or something, absolutely going apeshit!
What do you think of Dook Smellington as on online name?
Lengthy album but a great vibe for this morning. Think I'll put on my jazzy blues playlist for the rest of the day.
Not really my thing but it was very good. Admittedly I had to start skipping the introduction tracks.
Everything here is great - fun and technically brilliant - but the only absolutely essential thing is Paul Gonsalves' extended solo on "Diminuendo and Crescendo in Blue." And it is absolutely essential, to the point Gonsalves literally collapsed from exhaustion after playing it. A great starting point for big band or jazz in general.
I like a whole lot of this. Occasionally gets a little too frantic, but overall, pretty incredible.
This album had the fascinating quality for me of deflecting my sustained attention — I kept getting lost in thought. It certainly captures the sound of this era of big band in perfect clarity, and I can’t imagine many people could complain about hearing it given that it is just so straight down the middle. Diminuendo and Crescendo in Blue in itself took this to a 4 for me, that shit was insane. And then I thought the slower songs near the end of the set were really beautiful with complex chords composed of all the different instruments. The drum solo on Skin Deep is a reminder of how deeply connected jazz and 80s/90s hip hop DJs are.
Loved this! I need to listen to more jazz
An incredible classic jazz album. The live complements add so much and it was incredible to hear the Duke like this. The full band sound is just so vital and fun, moving from person to person as the solos and focus moves. It ends on such a high note, and keeps momentum moving quickly. Just don’t listen to the version with interruptions between every god damn song.
An excellent live concert. You can feel the energy of the crowd in the record.
I wasn’t expecting to like this, but it was a bit of a revelation. Excellent all the way through with the highlights being Diminuendo and Crescendo in blue 4 stars.
Wow this isn’t really my usual kind of jazz at all but it was a lot of fun and caught me in just the right mood to enjoy it
This is definitely the way more accessible type of jazz. I'm much more into the big band stuff, and for the most part this is a thoroughly nice listen. I like the really, really strange sound they get out of the trumpet at times. Like the musician is being strangled, hah. 3.5 rounded up.
Based on the original recording not the “complete” version . “culturally, historically, and aesthetically significant”
While I respect its place in history, and there's no denying Duke Ellington's superb talent in bridging big band and jazz, this is awfully long. Did I feel that I had been transported to a different world years before my birth? Absolutely, but all the spoken filler between tunes was a bit much. Also, the prolonged screams from the muffled trumpet were not my favorite.
Uff. Un fenómeno. La rompe toda. No se puede dejar de escuchar a un tipo con un talento así. Y encima album en vivo. 7/10
This might be cheating, but I listened to the 60th anniversary addition of this album instead, which cut about an hour off the runtime thank the lord. Boiling it down to just the music best showcasing the Duke himself. Duke Ellington was my introduction to jazz, and is still my favourite artist in the genre. The chugging blues scale holding down the base makes his music feel alive, and more approachable. Gets the toes a tappin.
Quintessential jazz, what's not to like?
This is a weird choice for the only Duke Ellington to appear on the list. How many Beta Band records show up? Also, the list album is Ellington at Newport, and the linked album and art are from the complete version. Everyone complaining about the length is listening to the wrong album. Duke's signature work is from an era before the concept of albums, and his most exciting, innovative work came after this album. Weird choice.
Absolut!
Music to my ears
Big Band not exactly my thing, but a rowdy and wonky 50s live recording IS exactly my thing. Extra star for all the times a horn was too loud for the mics and it sounded all fucked up
A very well-liked Jazz icon that I, ashamedly, know very little about. So I was quite eager to dive into this live record. Really made my workday that much more tolerable as I threw it on and immersed myself in its peaks and valleys for nearly 2 hours. It's a very easily digestible and light swing album; it has that fluttery feel that a lot of jazz albums of its time do. Say, for maybe the opener 'Black and Tan Fantasy', which feels more bitter than anything else here, with these odd, twisted solos. There's a lot of tension building on this track before you get that euphoric, explosive finish. It's a strange opener, but I dug it because right after that, you get 'Tea For Two,' which is the polar opposite side of the spectrum, an incredibly infectious and melodic track. There's a generally very dexterous feeling to the "Big Band" performances here - they're not super clunky or heavy, but agile, light as a feather, and very slick, elevated by the many spot-lit solos that almost lead the backing band, as opposed to the other way around; noticed this on "Take the 'A' Train" especially with that killer trumpet solo. But the band does ultimately remain feeling "Big", nothing about that's changed, you'll get these huge drowning horn jabs all over this thing that just scream "'50's swing". Some other highlights are 'Sophisticated Lady', which is this slow, brooding track over this much less outspoken, atmospheric backing piece. A mellowing change in pace. 'Dimineundeo in Blue' brings back that squawking sax over what is maybe the lightest playing in the concert yet, with Duke's piano remaining a highlight. I love the way it cools the atmosphere almost instantaneously, like closing the shutters of a once bright room, setting the tone for the solo to come. And apparently, this was the song that kicked off the riot captured in this performance; you can really hear the crowd growing restless as that monstrous tenor solo just keeps going for a good chunk of the song. I get it, it's a damn great solo. The vocal moments on this album were pretty good too, adding some variety, which there is already plenty of (in terms of players) - my favorite was the song 'Tulip Turnip.' Pretty good live record that manages to keep things fresh for its longer duration. I'm pretty sure I listened to the "Complete" version, which isn't what was originally intended, but the monolithic nature of this version, with the constant switching of soloists and players, made the whole thing feel very alive and dynamic. Great record.
Gets dinged a star for all the talking, though mercifully that's all isolated to its own tracks so you can easily skip it. Otherwise, perfect.
going way back to the 1950s for a legendary live jazz performance by sir duke ellington and his crew. it's said to be one of the most important jazz recordings in history, both by music critics/historians and by the library of congress. ellington's charisma and his efforts got him a nice record deal after the record released. despite what it may sound like, only a decent portion of the album is actually live. it's very elegant and wonderfully vintage jazz stylings, but the only thing that prevents me from rating it higher is the really crunchy mastering on most releases of the record. makes the horns and winds sound like nails on a chalkboard. i just loooathe any jazz album that insists on squealing at the highest pitch imaginable.
A great album I love jazz so much
yeah
C'est choubidou
Pt.1 - Festival Junction - 4/5 Pt. 2 - Blues to Be There - 4/5 Pt. 3 - Newport Up - 4/5 Jeep's Blues - 4/5 Diminuendo and Crescendo in Blue - 5/5 Half of this is a studio album masquerading as a live album because Ellington was a perfectionist and didn't like how the first suite sounded live and wanted another go at it, adding in canned applause and other sounds to make it sound live. That part doesn't detract from the part that lifts it up, the nearly 7 minute sax solo on Diminuendo and Crescendo in Blue. That alone is worth 5 stars, but I'll have to take a star off for faking the live recording. Overall: 4/5 Favorites: Diminuendo and Crescendo in Blue
Almost perfect, just a little too "big bandy" for me.
Groovy
MUY largo. Demasiado, pero tiene muy buenos temas. Lástima que no escuché todos.
Big band sound's not my cup of tea, and this Complete version is a little too complete, but there are some tracks I love (Diminuendo in Blue)! Great recording, sound quality is tops.
Man, some really good grooves on this one. Also, was unaware that a trumpet could produce notes so high... damn. Minus one star 'cause it's live and we all know how I feel about that.
I like jazz
Trop bien !
Them white people was going UP for Duke at this concert goddamn. So much control Highlights: Blues To Be There, Take The A Train
I went back and forth a bit on the sound, both the occasionally intrusive crowd noise and some tracks where the orchestra felt muted, but the performances are really a lot of fun. Big band orchestras are not really my thing, but I loved it especially when the clarinet was featured. Like I said, I went back and forth between wishing this was performed in the studio and recognizing that the live performance was truly electric, but I wouldn't dispute including this on a list of must-listen jazz albums. 4/5
I really dislike live albums, but this is beautiful jazz nonetheless. A little too screechy for me at times
This was very easy to listen to
A vibrant and demanding presence on this live jazz record. Crowd participation and announcement interludes contribute to the experience. Particularly admired the unconventional works of the trumpeter on Festival Junction. Throughout this record we won’t just witness the riff of spontaneity of the live jazz experience, but also time travel to the slight spice that the 50’s carried. I’ve been to Ronnie Scott’s in ‘26 yet something still feels difference here. The rowdiness in crowd prevention is incredible and the way it recharges itself and merges into Skin Deep is awesome.
Great live album demonstrating straight recording without overdubs and post manipulation
I am evidently in the minority in that I really like a live album. Usually (The Who's Live at Leeds isn't great; I'm sure there are others). Nothing like getting that feel for an artist.
Banger after banger.
fletcher flashbacks
A bit before my time but overall good. Wish it had been remastered so the sound quality was better.
Pretty damn great!
very easy to listen to. i don't sit thru a lot of full jaz albums.
I genuinely loved this. Easy to listen to
This album slapped way harder than it had any right to. Really funky tracks with some absolutely insane musical talent on display. I did only listen to the 5 tracks from the original LP, which I think probably saved this album from some harsher criticism, particularly since I really dislike Live albums. As a brass player myself, I am in awe of the trumpet playing here, it's nuts. This album isn't something I'm going to listen to again, but I can't rate it lower than a 4 out of sheer respect for the insane talent on display. Great playing, enjoyable music, very good album.
Big band jazz era end, Great sunday morning Dimineuendo and crescendo in blue
Great live recording.
I think I like trios, quartets better. This was also amazing. The energy must’ve been crazy live. Lower 4
The talent throughout this album is through the roof. That part is irrefutable. On this note, I enjoy the genre, and I'm taking into consideration this has to be one of the oldest albums in this generator. With that out of the way, it's literally difficult to hear the music, especially with the talking, and audience. There are great live albums, but this one is almost too overbearing. Favorite Track: "Festival Junction".
enjoyed it, but i also intentionally listened to only the songs that were on the original album :)
Really enjoyed this as another turn of pace from the general rock that's been given so far (on album 26). The quality was great, as if it's being played by a jazz band today, and I quite liked the introductions between the songs of each artist. Sort of felt like you were sat with a martini watching it yourself.
Jazz 🫰
Smooth
The last half of show fucks.
Do ya like jazz?
Que excelente experiencia, siempre ha gustado el Jazz, lo más gracioso es que conocí a Duke por la serie de Netflix big mouth primero jajajaaj, su álbum no me defraudo. Me encanto.
I like all Jazz
Love that I got this album just as I was watching Carol. Never listened to jazz before that much, so it's nice that my first proper listen to an album was one by Duke Ellington, who's apparently a legend within the genre.
Classic Duke Ellington
Diminuendo and crescendo was a joyful 15 minutes was so fun, skin deep drum solo ripped. Took until the fourth piece to really get going, did not love festival Junction.
In het nummer festival junction vind ik t vet hoe die trompet haast “hui- hui” zegt. Het publiek speelt ook een erg belangrijke rol op dit album, het is vet om te horen dat ze af en toe helemaal leip worden op bepaalde momenten. Als je luistert naar t publiek weet je wanneer je moet opletten. Verder is de dynamiek erg tof. Ik had er wel bij willen zijn in 1956.
Pretty cool album. I can dig it daddy-o. Some truly amazing moments in here. The 2 hour runtime can be a bit off-putting, but a clever digital listener might be able to reduce that by selectively hiding some of the banter tracks, though that might arguably take away some of the charm of this one.
Good jazz. Jazz isn't always my thing but this one is good. 3.5/5
This is a very good live jazz album. The short spoken interludes from Duke Ellington and the audience's cheers definitely add a thrill to the music, and the drum solos on the last track ("Skin Deep") are excellent.
What masters! A bit overindulgent with the trumpet sometimes though.
I’ve heard this before, but it’s been almost 30 years. My college roommate had this one and I’m guessing every other pre 1970 jazz record on this list will have been in his collection. There’s too many versions of this album and I clicked on the 2 hour double disk one. Listened all the way through that and then found the original 40 minute version. I’m not a big fan of big band jazz but Duke Ellington is a head above the rest. Also they seem to have added some of the bebop style here instead of stagnating I dig it and I’m gonna listen to every version of this again.
*I prefer quartet/quintet style jazz of eras a little later than this, but this live performance is about as good as big band can get.
- kyl hyvä kunnon jatsi toimittelee ja toimitteli taas
A vivid and exciting document: at times tasteful and restrained and at others giving way to ecstatic indulgence (if Wikipedia is to be believed, the live recording was blended with studio overdubs thanks to a little sleight of hand, but it doesn’t detract from the experience). I listened to the original LP track listing but I’m pleased to see that there’s much more material to indulge in.
The energy is palatable here. Jazz is an emotion, a state of being....and Ellington really transcends that here. All these years later a modern day listener is still enamored by the fantastic playing of all of these artists, especially on "Diminuendo and Crescendo in Blue" a song older than most human beings on this earth are today. Crazy to think that.
i wish there were lyrics but it was pretty good! i like jazz
slapped tbh
esse jazz é foda, melhor que o de in a silent way obviamente propostas diferentes, mas esse jazz é insano tô com medo da duração, embora fazer concept art enquanto eu ouço esse jazz é foda os instrumentos estão bons e bem audíveis acho que o cara falando não vai me incomodar pq eu n tô prestando total atenção nas interrupções, mas isso talvez seja um ponto negativo não é, eu nem tô vendo o tempo passar com esse som mega divertido tudo bem que teve um momento que exageraram no trompete e ficou parecendo um cachorro ganindo, mas no fundo o jazz é sobre improviso, e exagero exageraram forte em dizer que metade disso é fala, no disco 1 pelo menos as falas são curtas em comparação as músicas diminuendo in blue é um tesão total as duas primeiras dos disco 2 tbm são tesões o disco todo é um tesão, só que tem uns tesões maiores que outros daria 9 (4,5), mas como n chega no 10 por pouco vai 4 (8/10) mesmo
Agora eu gosto de jazz!
Diminuendo and Crescendo in Blue was the standout. Clearly a jazz milestone.
Fun. The crowd getting crazy was a plus. Would have loved to be there when this was recorded.
Great jazz
Classic Duke
I kinda liked the guy who talked, he added more depth to the listening experience. And more time, way too much more time.
Rambunctious crowd and classic, upbeat jazz. Like! 3.7
Solid live jazz album that I need to revisit when I have some time for intentional listening.
1956, otra epoca
Nice. Easy to listen to without too much effort. However, if you start listening with intent, you immediately begin to pick up on the artistry and talent of the individual performers. Never had any experience with this music of his yet however, I recognized the melody from a train. Would listen again.
Since there are relatively few albums from the 1950s in this project, it’s clear that they were all, to a greater or lesser extent, groundbreaking and of high quality. While “Live at Newport” certainly meets the standard of excellence, this recording was perhaps more important to Duke Ellington himself than it was to music history. Many of the songs are timeless classics—“Take the A-Train” is currently one of my favorites again—and the arrangements are polished to perfection. In my view, however, an S-tier / 5-star rating requires either - truly outstanding soloists/vocalists, - catchy original compositions, - some other groundbreaking creative achievement, - or exceptional significance for a cultural shift. While some of these elements may be faintly discernible, Ellington’s recording ultimately reminds me too much of my own early attempts at big band jazz and the very limited creative scope inherent in that genre. And, of course, jazz standards were already part of mainstream culture by the mid-20th century. Ultimately, it’s just very well-crafted elevator music.
Diminuendo in Blue is outrageous! The Original Album is available on Spotify but it's not linked from here, it's half the length with less of the comperes.
Classic Duke.
i've learned about this concert several times. once in jazz band at school. once in college in a music class. once in ken burns' "jazz" epic doc. the sax solo in "diminuendo in blue" is legendary and essentially revamped ellington's career if i recall correctly. it's a good album. a lot of talking in between, which i'm sure was more customary - and good to capture completely in some cases, but a pared down version would certainly flow better. given the original record and the "complete" would still take the "complete" tho.
Liked this one. Reading up on this, turned out it's a 100% live recording. Still enjoyed it very much. Will probably listen again.
7.5/10 I loved this!! I do think i like big band more because it has a recognizable flow but jazz its great!
Solid live performances, though quite long to listen through outside of the live context
NB: I’m reviewing the original 1956 release. This was a fantastic new discovery for me, and it was incredible to hear one of the founding fathers of jazz at work. Okay, so it’s only partly a ‘real’ live album, but I also listened to the complete version and that was just as good. And after all, what bands don’t polish up their live albums in the studio a bit? Regardless, all five tracks are really strong, especially ‘Festival Junction’ and ‘Diminuendo and Crescendo in Blue’. A very strong 4 stars, quite possibly rising to 5 in future with greater familiarity.
Good background music. Some of it sounds the same but I think it’s that way with all jazz music
Exceptional sound quality considering the age of the recording. Some seriously iconic moments. Never felt dull or settled in.
First challenge: how much of this am I supposed to listen to? Having read the Wikipedia, I’ve decided to just focus on the actual concert recordings and skip the studio ones at the end. Second challenge: listening to jazz. (That’s a bit harsh, I did enjoy this)
Some truly classic jazz. It's really interesting to hear this and put it in the context of the 1950s. It's particularly interesting to realize what would have caused "pandemonium" from the crowd at that time. This music sounds pretty tame today, like something that your grandparents might put. But at some point, this was cutting edge and people would have reacted quite strongly to it. But the truth is, it's a great performance and goes get pretty frantic at points. It must have been exciting to be in those crowds.
Excellent
7/10 Duke Ellington managed to hang on as a big band leader beyond the time that many of his contemporaries had packed in the style, but this album triggered something of a resurgence in his popularity. While there is a heavy big band flavour to this record, I think there are decent moments where the big band aspect does take a backseat to the more subtle, virtuosic playing of single players improvising over a more restrained backing. The big band do pop in here and there to accentuate things, which provides a nice bit of dynamic flair to proceedings, and it feels like a fairly nice balance between the two styles. Personally, the more intimate small band focus is a little more my flavour, but I did find this to be an engaging and enjoyable ride. The band are, as you would expect, completely hooked up with one another and provide a super tight groove that switches lanes from smooth and sultry to up-tempo and danceable with ease. Duke controls his band really well too, and there are points where you can hear him geeing them on and encouraging them to give it all they’ve got, particularly during Paul Gonsalves’ epic solo in the closing track. It just sounds like they’re having a great deal of fun together, and listening to musicians with this much intimate control of their instruments letting loose and having fun while always staying completely locked in to the groove is always a satisfying experience. Unfortunately, while the final track is really excellent, it is kind of let down a little by the crowd noise. It wouldn’t be so much of an issue except for the fact that they added it in afterwards! According to resurfaced tapes, only 40% of this record was actually comprised of the live tape, which is kind of amusing, and a little bit of a let down at the same point. Either way, an enjoyable listen and worthy of a fresh spin now and again. Festival Junction - The intro feels like a relic of its time. I don’t imagine having a minute of chit chat at the beginning of an album, live or otherwise these days. Either way, once we get into it, this is some nice up tempo swinging jazz. There are some superb little runs and moments of musical punctuation from the band, but it’s when the solos start kicking in that this really starts moving for me. It’s got that roaming freedom to it that’s the result of so much knowledge and control of one’s instrument and the underlying theory of the music. They can just roll about having so much fun. I can almost hear the little looks and sly nods the band are giving each other as they throw control of the track backward and forward. It’s lovely, expressive work. Blues To Be There - This is smooth and sultry. The way it builds a subtle, bubbling tension in each section before finally resolving to the root is so tasty. It’s got a mysterious edge to the sound, but still offers plenty of space for virtuosity, and some of the clarinet runs in particular are gorgeous. It does slow down a little too much at points, so that the crowd start applauding because they think it’s done. It’s a strolling groove with a purposeful edge of meandering to it, but it plays really well with dynamic range and tempo to create a push and pull between sections. Newport Up - Now the pace has kicked up a notch, it leans a bit more into the big band sound, which is quite cool, but less my cup of tea than the more subtle individual work that has been a bit more in focus on the previous tracks. There’s still plenty of time for virtuosity here though, and some of the soloing is, as you’d expect, really good. They’re super tight, even going at a clip like this. It’s a bit less nuanced, but it’s certainly good fun. The momentum to the rhythm is great and it really gets you frantically toe tapping as it chips along. While I can appreciate the quality and musicianship, I feel like there’s not as much for me to hang my particular style of hat on here. Jeep's Blues - More of the big band flavour here, but leaning its way back into the more sensual tone. When they let things drift out to a simple backing and the piano and sax play together over the top, it’s glorious stuff. The two of them bouncing back and forward against each other is so tasty, although I could probably do with the piano being a little more forward in the mix - perhaps a harsh complaint for a 70 year old live festival recording. When the band comes back in more subtly it’s super cool and some of the motifs here are so hooky and evocative. Lovely stuff. Diminuendo And Crescendo In Blue - Apparently Paul Gonsalves’ tenor sax solo was actually overdubbed here later because he played it into the wrong microphone during the show. But he also pretty much collapsed when playing it because it took so much out of him. This has got a lot of get up and go to it, but it’s balanced out well with some more laid back, legato moments, despite the tempo never really dropping. When we get to it, it’s a great solo, touching base on the central motif enough to keep it relevant, but dancing around enough to keep it fresh. Blowing for a 27 chorus solo must have been exhausting, especially when he doesn’t have many audible breaks for much more than a quick breath. This is the kind of thing that I can really enjoy for the musicianship but does go on for quite a long time as a recording. Live, I can imagine it being mesmerising as he just goes and goes. As mentioned before, there’s a sense of simple joy about this in that joy can feel the enthusiasm of the band through their playing as Gonsalves drives away at his sax like it’s the last time he’ll ever get to play it. Duke takes over the reigns once Gonsalves is done and they take us through a bit more of the big band stuff to finish. Reportedly that solo was credited with revitalising Ellington’s career, so fair play. This big band flavour of jazz is never going to be my favourite, but this track is still a really enjoyable and engaging ride, despite it’s 15 minute length
Jazzy
Quite an enjoyable live album.
This album goes back 70 years. I listened to the entire concert (remastered version disc one and disc two tracks 1-8). Some of these songs were written in the 1920s. Big band music had died down by 1956 and jazz was becoming more popular. You can hear both on this record.
I very much enjoyed this jazz album from one of the greats Duke Ellington! I don’t listen to a ton of jazz music but this album had me thinking that I might need to change that. Overall, I had a great time listening to this album and would pick it up again in the future!
Love Ellington. This was great.
Good live album. Band is right. Duke is very good. Intros were annoying. I understand this is a live album from a different era but it was difficult to listen to despite musically being very solid
Always love the duke
I liked the energy in this one. I think I would give it 4.5, but 4 is more appropriate for me to give than 5 - I listened to ‘Kind of Blue’ yesterday and I’m biased to say that this album can’t be a 5 if that album is a 5.
Yes I do like jazz Mr. Benson. What about it?
A good sax solo will do that to people
I don't know tons about jazz, but I really enjoyed listening through this one! It was a solid hour of some great jazz music!
Absolutely amazing musicianship. This was a delight to listen to.
Great music
Enjoyed this one a lot.
Eu não invejo o autor dessa lista. Que trabalho difícil, que responsabilidade grande. Quando o assunto é Jazz seu trabalho fica mais complicado ainda, até turistas do gênero (como eu) podem citar meia dúzia de nomes proeminentes que merecem serem expostos, mas você deve levar em consideração os subgêneros, os diferentes instrumentalistas, diferentes décadas. Tudo isso em um gênero que em si é bem polarizante com o público geral não-entusiasta. Ellington é uma escolha óbvia para a lista. Acho uma pena que incluíram apenas um de seus discos (precisamos de espaço para mais um álbum de Neil Young, pô!), mas acho que a escolha foi até que inteligente. Duke é um tremendo pianista, e seu trabalho com sua ‘big band’ é certamente notável, tendo seu destaque em suas performances ao vivo. Tudo isso é observável aqui, com solos totalmente eletrizantes e instrumentos estridentes e cativantes. O álbum é apenas parcialmente ao vivo, com uma grande parte dele sendo regravado após o fato. É também importante notar que existem diversas versões diferentes deste álbum. Em casos assim, eu costumo ouvir a versão do LP original, mas pra este disco em específico eu decidi ouvir uma versão mais recente e mais completa do lançamento, justamente por ele conter mais faixas relacionadas ao concerto mencionado. Acho que esta escolha me permitiu ter uma perspectiva melhor formada. O único defeito da versão que escolhi é de fato a duração. Uma hora e trinta minutos é tempo demais para ouvir Jazz, independente do quão energético são as composições. Mas é difícil ficar muito bravo com tantos momentos marcantes. Tantos solos reverenciáveis. O resultado é uma escuta que, embora um tanto laboriosa, consegue ser também extremamente gratificante e recompensadora , especialmente para qualquer entusiasta no gênero. Não é uma surpresa que a carreira de Duke foi revivida por este lançamento, apenas se coloque nos sapatos de um Jazzista em 1956 ouvindo este disco, sabendo que você pode ir em uma dessas performances se conseguir um ingresso. Ótimo disco. 4/5
Very nice jazz easy listening album, felt like you were in a jazz club listening at times
Nice, I'd been thinking about getting some jazz records to listen to while I do stuff around the house. This was the vibe I was looking for. Bit of a choppy start with the Star Spangled Banner and the priest reading off all the names of people and where they came from (this isn't the book of Genesis pal), but they won me back pretty quickly. I also like that the interlude before the encore of the first show is called "riot prevention." You could hear how upset the crowd was that the band was planning to leave. There's a pretty cool mural of Duke Ellington in the alley by my old apartment behind Rhombus Guys.
Gotta love Duke Ellington’s pure jazz and flawless orchestration
More upbeat than the other jazz records I've listened to. Very improvised. it's like the trumpet is scatting (3.5-4).
Smooth
89 suggestions later and finally a jazz album. That took way to long for a foundational sound.
So so good!
Don’t listen to a ton of jazz but this album kicked ass. Would’ve loved to have been at this show
good jazz record, really good live performance, enjoyed it and a strong ending
First time listening to this album. I chose to listen to the 2+ hour version of this. This was quite enjoyable.
heel chill live album maar ik moet toegeven dat ik wel elke keer het spreekgedeelte heb geskipt 0_0
I thought I disliked jazz. Apparently I just disliked bad jazz.
Never thought I'd like jazz... but Ellington might have changed my mind! Perfect snow day listening
Stellar work, of course. There are some of the distractions of any live album, I suppose, but they didn’t get in my way too much.
First Listen; 4; Tons of energy and talent. Incredible how it moves between mellow and nuanced to 10/10 energy. Favorite Track: Festival Junction
This project is like being the princess who has to kiss a lot of frogs to find a prince. There’s a lot of nonsense we listen to, but days like this are when I find the prince. My rating may somewhat be a reflection of circumstances - listening on a snowy day, making beef stew and cleaning the house with this as my background but I enjoyed it very much. It was perfect music for what I was doing. I was even happy it was over 2 hours long. I love the big band sound and will definitely be listening to more of this.
Very calming
J'ai beaucoup aimé l'album. Je l'avais déjà écouté mais seulement la version originale qui ne comportait que 4 ou 5 titres qui ne m'avait pas plus marqué que ça. Néanmoins, le fait de se plonger dans la version intégrale m'as permis de comprendre la qualité artistique du travail de Duke Ellington et de son Big band en participant réellement à un retour dans le temps vers les années 50 qui offrent une expérience très agréable.
Because Duke, but I’ll probably never put it on unless I stay up all night drinking scotch and the sun is coming up and I’m making breakfast. Then it would be perfect.
De entre las grabaciones de jazz que más interés me pueden causar puedo destacar precisamente las de la brass bands. Duke Ellington al piano y su banda de metales nos brindan un buen ejemplo de ese jazz que en vivo suena totalmente auténtico, un dechado de virtudes a cada instrumento y una perfecta sintonía entre todos los miembros. Sin ser mi música preferida, hay que decir que en su lugar, Duke Ellington es inigualable.
Embarrassing to admit I haven’t listened to Duke Ellington before… but now I have and will listen more! Loved it. I can’t speak with any savvy about jazz & blues so I’ll just say this was excellent and made my brain happy. Oh, and I thought I was more of a brass fan but on this album, I found the clarinet solos the most satisfying. Standout: Festival Junction (for the clarinet of course!) 01-21-2026
I just really like these live jazz albums. These are all new to me but hearing some familiar parts is fun.
first listen certified hood classic
Great stuff! I mean, the dude's A Jazz Great for a reason.
That smooooooth jazz baby. Really enjoyed the easy listening of this. A few trumpet moments that were a little piercing to ear, which docked it a star. But overall really enjoyed.
this is why he's called the duke
No. 79 This album is amazing. I don’t know much about jazz but I like this.
This was a really good album! I've really come to appreciate and like jazz way more because of this and duke Ellington man! Great guy!
You like jazz or you love it. Or you're weird
A good live Jazz album. Maybe a tad long but what’s stopping you from pausing and coming back?
It blew my mind when they introduced a young and talented composer by the name of Quincy Jones. This is just so far back. Still a great listen.
Incredible live jazz album no skips and truly live can hear audience throughout
Let me introduce my review. Now for this review I will be speaking about Ellington at Newport by Duke Ellington. Yes, Ellington at Newport by Duke Ellington. But before I do that, I'd like to acknowledge the good people at 1001albumsgenerator, spotify, and sony. My sincerest of thank yous. Now on to my review. Ellington at Newport by Duke Ellington is an enjoyable listen.
Pt. 1 Festival Junction: Playful jazz, feels like I'm at some sort of festival or wild party where jazz is the main focal point. Ends on a very high pitched trumpet towards the end, not bad but can be startling. Pt 2: slow, intimate, date jazz. The kind you would find playing at a small jazz club dinner date. Pt. 3: I enjoyed the percussion accompaniments. Diminuendo in blue: have to wait for it to ramp up a little more towards the second half, great listen. OVERALL: great jazz album to listen to. Mostly for the trumpet vibes
Album pericoloso, ad ogni canzone avevo voglia di un sigaro e di un whisky.
Vibes are immaculate and execution is flawless on a live record that had the Newport crowd about to tear down the walls. I’ll need more time with this one to appreciate it but suffice to say Duke had some magic and a big band atmosphere that could bop with the best but with a sincere touch of class and high art.
Haven't listened to this in a long time. So much smoother than I remembered. One of the rare times I prefer the truncated version to the complete. Great stuff
Duke is one of the all-timers but this live album oddly doesn’t have some of his best songs (longer versions of this show do). Nevertheless, this is some great jazz. Top tracks: "Blues to Be There," "Newport Up,” “Jeep’s Blues”
Good jazz album.
Really nice live sound a great performance
Fantastic. These dudes could play. I recently started swing dancing with my wife, and that's really opened my eyes to all the glories of the big band sound. Had I heard this a year ago I think I'd have found it a lot less interesting. I agree with the recorded audience: "Diminuendo and Crescendo in Blue" is the high point of the record.
There’s a certain magnetism to live albums like this. The soupy, smoky atmosphere of the venue comes through strongly on the recording, the clamouring of the punters making it a pretty raucous affair. It’s too much of a good thing but it is really good - superbly played jazz that you can zone out to given the right conditions.
Not an easy one to review. This is a live double album of 1950s Jazz. Personally, I found that the live element didn't add much to the experience, though it wasn’t a major distraction either. On the audio front, this is the first album I’ve encountered that my headphones literally could not handle. The trumpet was so high-pitched and intense at points that my headphones seemingly could only pulse my earlobes with a form of sonic torture. However, once I switched to bookshelf speakers, all was well again. I was finally able to enjoy the brilliance of the musicians and the deep, varied sounds of the instruments. As with much of the Jazz I've explored recently, the skill level here is off the charts. My main critique isn't that the music has aged badly, but rather that this is a difficult genre to crack into as a casual observer listening at home. When you remove the live setting, you lose the visual mastery, the physical atmosphere, and the subtle evolution of the performance. For that reason, there were moments where it didn't fully grab my attention or take me through a changing narrative. Final thoughts this is, without a doubt, exceptional music. While it lost a point for me regarding depth and variety, it remains a showcase of absolute mastery.
Really enjoyed - I love jazz and live jazz is even better
Dos horazas de buen jazz. Una manera fantástica de empezar el año. Mi tema favorito el de Riot Prevention. Solo lo he escuchado una vez así que mi conclusión es que después de un tema dijeron que el máquina que se acababa de marcar un pedazo de solo era de Long Island, y eso hizo que la peña de Newport se pusiese a abuchear tan heavy que casi se lía. ¿Me estás diciendo que estás presenciando uno de los mejores conciertos de la historia del jazz y de la nada te chinas tanto que casi lo jodes todo? ¿Qué clase de peña iba a conciertos de jazz antes? No sé, muy gracioso todo. Tendré que enterarme de qué es lo que pasa en realidad. Buen disco.
I will be looking more into jazz music after listening to this album. It seems like great music to play in the background that’s not incredibly boring.
Bruh this goes so hard. A great window into the past - this is what got people out of their seats in 1956.
Great album with some very talented musicians.