Reviews (page 4 of 11)
Great album with some very talented musicians.
Listening to good Jazz always transports me back to being in my happy place. Shoutout Jazz in Rokudenashi in Kyoto, hopefully I will see you sooner rather than later. Highlights: Everything but the trumpet at the end of Festival Junction
I'm not much of a fan of live albums and the live aspect of this one was particularly distracting. Too much chatter from the MC for sure. The music itself is classic stuff.
What's a saxophone, and who's Johnny Hodges?
7/10
Obviously very jazzy and just chill music
why do so many people hate jazz??? jazz is all about guys being dudes ya know
This is a fantastic live album. Diminuendo in Blue is one of the best jazz pieces I’ve ever heard. The fact that the crowd heard that song then just went absolutely crazy is amazing. The rest of the album is also awesome, and the history behind it is insane. I just wish parts hadn’t been recreated in studio. It was kinda disappointing to learn that nearly the entire first disc was recreated. I much rather would’ve heard the badly-rehearsed songs in their raw form than the attempt to recreate them. It would be a five if it weren’t for that.
ein Zeitdokument. Hörenswert!
Fav track: Pt. 1 - Festival Junction Live Love the commentary throughout the live album. Duke and his band are truly one of a kind. This album feels like a historical recording, meaning they captured every aspect of what was going on: music, applause, uproar, reaction, collaboration, etc. really cool to hear!
I like it when a live album sounds live, and this is as live as a live album has ever sounded.
Rating: 8/10 What can I say, this is a great lively and energetic jazz performance by Duke and the boys. Love some good crowd cheers in a live album. Diminuendo was awesome and an insane finale
Light 4
Liked this. Like a big band.
This was certainly long. I’d have preferred a studio album so there wasn’t the announcing of musicians. There was some unnecessary chatter, but the music IS very good,
After I realized that the album that the Spotify link uses is the Remastered Complete version that has way to much talking in between the songs that really weren’t on the original album. So just skip the talking and it was great!
Duke's a legend--greatest American composer. The album is a classic. But this is Intro to Introductory Jazz Pre-101. I've moved on, gimme that hard stuff. Is Money Jungle in this 1,001? That's the Duke for me
Really good! I listened to the original tracks and enjoyed it !!
The music on the album is great. You can keep the emcee. I haven't listened to a lot of big band music but I enjoyed it.
Great music, could have done without all the intervening conversations and announcements!
I'm not a big jazz fan but I like this kind of jazz more than modern jazz. My favorite is Louis Armstrong but I can appreciate Ellington. That said, I don't think this album is five star. I would rather give it three and a half but I will go for four because I think three is too low.
jazz. classic. legend.
How about spending two hours with Duke and co? That was the privilege of the people at Newport Jazz Festival back in 1956. This is a warm concert full of energy, virtuosity, and camaraderie. Delighted that someone had the wonderful idea to preserve it in this recording. Great work!
Reminds me of the music that plays over the end credits of Monsters Inc. I'm no jazz-head in general, but I kind of dig this. It's very pleasant to have on in the background. Take the A Train is really catchy and has a timelessness to it - it sounds instantly familiar even though I hadn't heard it before
This album was poppin!
This is peak jazz imo. It doesn't have that sad feelings to it.
Great orchestral jazz record. Will be listening in the future.
smooth, lovely, but I don’t like listening to the “live” part of this live album
Pretty good listen! Put this as background music while working and enjoyed the vibe a lot. You can almost feel like you are part of the crowd and their energy. They are all pretty good musicians and had a good time.
Loved listening to the complete concert with all of the intros and banter. Really felt like I was transported back in time to this sort of casual feeling assembly of jazz genius.
As a kid, this was the kind of music I first heard in my house.This was such a sweet listen, I thoroughly enjoyed it.
Such a joy to experience these masterful arrangements by the Duke and the incredible musicianship of the band. Just overly long for me.
Навіть не могла уявити, що цей альбом мене перенесе в часі, але я не про 50-ті, а про час до повномасштабного вторгнення. Вечори в "Дзизі" у Львові, джем-сесії, джазові концерти - усе це одразу виникло в спогадах та не покидало мене до останнього треку в альбомі. Трохи відволікали розмови, але такий формат живого виступу, тому нічого з тим не вдієш.
So, I listened to the original tracklist but live. I find Jazz an incredibly hard genre to judge... so, I won't. I like long songs generally, they give room to do different things and tell stories but without words you'd think that would be harder. But no. These songs are experiences, they pick you up and let you breath and then continue to climb. Phenomenal listening experience.
The Duke!
Good ass jazz
A bit(!) overlong, but I enjoyed the jazz. That said I could do with less of the compere.
Un album de jazz un peu trop classique pour moi, mais qui s’écoute quand même très bien. Les quelques séquences où Duke Ellington s’adresse au public auraient pu être retirées, elles coupent l’ambiance de l’album.
Last track makes me want to flail around on the ground
jazz
Really enjoyed this album, a bit shrill and badly recorded at points but the jazzy/funkiness was on my vibe.
It’s a great experience to listen to the album as a live recording, but I'd prefer if it were edited into a shorter version because it’s too long and all the introductions aren't necessary. I feel greatness in this. I almost know nothing about Duke Ellington, so there is opportunity to fill the gap. Can’t even imagine how fascinating this album sounded live. “Diminuendo In Blue” is an absolute banger 4/5
TWO HOURS TEN?! Okay, I’ll have to see how I get on with finishing this and if it gets full attention… Hmmm seems to be two versions of this album. Original release - one hour and “complete” - two hours, with emcee etc. Went with the original and a highly pleasurable and skilled listen. Hard to dislike and easy to get drawn in and impressed by many elements of it. Nice switches of tempo and style. All done to a great standard. Enjoyed a lot and then moved onto to the “complete.” Different feel and more variety from the off. In between tracks bit annoying and wish it could be an album without that. Still quality all the same and probably one I’d come back to
now this is fantastic - I never would have listened to this without some kind of prodding and it was great. Exactly the kind of experience I wanted from this site Will I listen to it a lot? maybe not? but it was a pleasant way to spend 45 minutes or so. gave me fond memories of seeing big band performances on an old CRT when I'd stay up too late at my great aunt's house. could see throwing this on in the background when I'm cooking or cleaning or working on something. is it like, by my usual standards, a four after I sit with it a while? probably not. it sure felt like a four while I was listening to it though and I'll gladly award an ephemeral four. adding to collection
Played in the back of doing school work and was great.
Just about steals a 4 from me. Drags a bit at times but I do quite like jazz. Can imagine it was amazing to see live
Really great listen, and love hearing the crowd reactions. It helps show just how talented all of these musicians were.
Very smooth, but it would have been great to hear them really cut loose
star spangled banner was so unnecessary
Getting the first jazz album of this generator makes me wonder how many jazz albums there are and also if there are any classical albums. There must be tons of great jazz and classical albums out there and so many of them should probably be on this list but sadly are not. This album is amazing to listen to for the fact that it’s a big band playing incredible arrangements live, being captured by minimal equipment. You can totally feel the energy of the crowd build towards the end and it sounds absolutely wild out there! We are blessed that this moment was captured and available for all to hear.
Labai gražus albumas. Puiki muzika. Gerai, kad paliko ir tuos supažindinimus su tuo, kas ką groja, priduoda daug gyvybės tam.
cool fun relaxing standard. guess what? chicken butt!
Aaaaaahhh.....
Mæ: Åh, jazz på en lørdag, sånn flaks, da kan æ lese bok og nyte livet! Duke Ellington: TUUUUT TUUUT! Det va gøy, men veldig mye mer bråkate enn æ hadde venta. Men jazzbråk e jo ikke så ille, synes æ.
OMG this crowd is NOT normal. The audience is unbelievably excited for jazz music when jazz is too often considered boring! But then again, Duke Ellington was one of a kind. His love for music is echoed in the audience. Ellington uses jazz, big band, and just a little bit of swing to make a fun, live album, when other live albums don't nearly have the same excitement or high energy.
Great album! Always wanted to be a jazz listeners and I think this was a perfect start.
Great
Long record, impressively so but also goes a little bit longer than I'd like. Solid 4, seminal Take The A Train
muy lindo buena musica 10/10 no le doy 5 x escuchabilidad
Me ha gustado para ser un álbum de jazz. Supongo que el hecho de que sea una grabación en directo le da el toque y resalta la buena interpretación sin necesidad de ser un erudito en el estilo
Bom, jazz bolado
Another one I had before joining the group - still feeling similar about this one. My previous review: As someone who enjoys jazz from time to time but normally a bit more stripped back vs big band stuff, this has been lovely to listen to. A great example of using a big band as an instrument in it’s own right - giving the right instruments the right parts is everything. I started thinking the intros and audience noise would get annoying but were actually quite nice for picturing being there!
Enjoyed this, sounded great. Would have loved to have been at a show like this. Couldve done with trimming the talking and sticking to the music, but I guess that’s the idea with a live record. And I think jazz like this lends itself well to that
Great stuff, probably was mind blasting to experience this in person
Nice! Fun throwback music performed by truly talented musicians and fronted by an exceptional arrangement.
Yep, awesome.
I can't mess this up, because it says one of my least fav genres is jazz in my summary which isn't true. This is a long album, no doubt. I'm 7 songs in and I feel like I can knock this whole album out, because it's so entertaining, but we will see. Take the A Train is my first one that's stood out. Track 17. I really like the album, but just tired of listening. I really do think I'll come back to this at a later time to finish it up or visit the full thing again. 4/5.
The music is a 5, but as an album it’s just a 4 because the talking introductions are interesting once, but they break up the musical continuity.
Big band is not really my thing usually; but it's a landmark jazz recording and the band is so tight in a live setting it's very compelling. The mutes, squeal and drawl on the brass are very dated, so can be tiring. But largely great!
Swishy swinging dance music paired with thrilling virtuouso soloists taking turns ripping through the changes. The best of big band, a view into a pre-album era of popular music as, first and foremost, performance, and of jazz in particular as live and living, not the fossil we inherit in the 21st century.
An absolute masterpiece. 4.5⭐
Peak band jazz, what a treat. Must have been wild in the 50s
(4.2) very patriotic only got through disc 1 bc it’s 2 hours
great big band album, the 12 bar blues is back with a vengeance baby! the extra long tenor solo on the last track *chefs kiss*
It’s jazz!
There is a combination of raw power and precision that's exclusive to big bands that is here in spades. Great-Grandma and Grandpa could throw down and keep time. Pretty good for a guy who lived in Nick Kroll's attic.
When I imagine jazz in my head, it comes out sounding like Duke Ellington. It's structured but free-flowing, it's loud and soft, it's the ultimate mix. I don't know that this is my favorite jazz album, but it is an exceptional embodiment of that era of jazz
There seems to be a few different versions on streaming services, I didn't listen to the two hour version which I couldn't be doing with According to the Wiki entry it seems there is some debate about how live this LP actually was with Ellington's band going back into the studio after the show to re-record some parts. It was cool, but Duke sounds like the Penguin in his between song repartee and once I heard it I couldn't unhear it.
Diminuendo and Crescendo est incroyable avec son solo de saxophone !
Jazz!
You can only appreciate the talent on display here from the live recording. Great showcase of what jazz musicians are capable of
An amazing set from a big band at the height of its powers. Duke Ellington is a phenomenal bandleader, you can hear him encouraging the players to go faster, harder, and longer on their solos. The slower, bluesier numbers are great too. This is my favorite kind of jazz and nobody did it better than Ellington and his band.
Duke Ellington was the man, you can tell he had the best stories. And a legendary composer, these songs are snappy and alive, I love the blend of classic swing with some New Orleans-style jazz. Diminuendo and Crescendo in Blue is the soaring center, he and the band deliver on what's promised in the title. Great set of tunes
Great album, very vibrant. Not really into jazz but enjoyed listening to this.
LETS GO BABY!!
I liked
(76/100)
Love shit like this
Goede achtergrond muziek. Toegankelijk. Fijne sfeer
4/5 - I needed to hear this because it seems like a good example of what a live album can deliver. I'm not versed on the history of Ellington, but I like this style of jazz when I hear it. I usually don't care for live albums with the crowd chatter and all that, but the Dimuendo and Crescendo in Blue track is a keeper. I give it a 4 for that alone.
A few awesome songs. I listened to the complete show, and it was maybe a little much. The classic LP may be a better choice.
Long. But really good.
Love it!
7/10 Musically, I don't particularly like this. In fact, I decidedly don't like it. Jazz is odd - it always sounds dated to me, a relic of another era with little for me to connect to. However, as this album progressed I got dragged in by the performance and the reaction of the crowd. It is infectious, hearing the Cool Cats in the audience lose their heads and The Duke whipping them further into a frenzy and trying to control them. The top review for this record ATM says it is less good for not being recorded in a studio?! If it was, it would get a 2 star review, like the 1000s of other jazz recordings. This is special exactly because it is live (or at least based on live recordings thelat we're supplemented).
Listened to the 1999 remastered version which I don't think was that necessary since its over 2 hours long, but I didn't mind since the vibes were good. Next time though I'm just gonna listen to the original since its probably better anyways. Favorite track: Diminuendo and Crescendo in Blue
Lively jazz with improvisations. Happy music! 4/5
That sax!
Apart from the spoken introductions for the performers, this is great stuff. I probably didn't experience it as per the original release but more the expanded modern edition.
One of the greatest live (although some of it was recorded in the studio) Ellington big band albums ever. Ellington, Cat Anderson, Russell Procope, Johnny Hodges, Paul Gonsalves, Clark Terry, and more of the biggest names in jazz at the time. This album revitalized Ellington's career and he stayed at the top of his game for the rest of his life. Brilliant!
Banger
I am a huge jazz lover and I have listened to Duke Ellington before. This was the perfect album to start autumn as I always see jazz as the perfect music for this seasonal change as it brings comforting feels and reflection. I see myself listening to this music while studying or reading.
Listened to this while on a walk, initially in the sunshine. When it started to tip it down it didn’t initially compute with me because the music felt so sunny. Enjoyed it a lot but probably wouldn’t listen to the whole album through again. Fav song: Part III-Newport Up - Live Least fav: Part I-Festival Junction
I will admit that I just listened mostly to the songs and not the interludes where they are doing the announcements/ introductions. I don’t need the guy to introduce one of his band mates for the millionth time. Enjoyed the jazz actually, reminded me a bit of the club penguin coffee shop. The high trumpet really got on my nerves though Specific rating-4.0 Fav song- day in, day out Least fav- festival junction
Favourites: Festival Junction, Newport Up, Diminuendo and Crescendo in Blue, Sophisticated Lady, Skin Deep
Pretty great big band. 3.5
This was so very long. But I love the little interludes of speaking. I love a live performance. Really beautiful and wonderful music. Jazz is very cool
good one!
Rad
Quintessential swing band. Ellington’s piano playing is the bomb. Horns are punchy and precise. I like the inclusion of the interlude talking.
Beautiful jazz from Ellington, 2 hours of just… nice solos and playing from the whole band.
This was a phenomenal listen. Like the Johnny Cash Folsom album, the live recording aspect of this recording makes it wonderful. If you close your eyes and relax you almost feel like you’re at some New England country club watching this happen. Exactly what I expected from a jazz record and something I could listen to anytime. 4/5
I liked the opening with the talking, the mentioning of Quincy Jones was funny as a young composer (or was it arranger?) from New York. The album felt like a snapshot from a different time.
Es bastante relajadito... Pero 2 horas? Jolines Duke, un poco largo no?
Sturlaðir tónleikar. Þetta er alvöru tónlist og gat alveg dottið inn í þetta.
Fínt að fá smá jass. Alveg geggjaðir hljóðfæraleikarar, algjörir snillingar.
As someone who enjoys jazz from time to time but normally a bit more stripped back vs big band stuff, this has been lovely to listen to. A great example of using a big band as an instrument in it’s own right - giving the right instruments the right parts is everything. I started thinking the intros and audience noise would get annoying but were actually quite nice for picturing being there!
Very good album. I haven't been a big fan of jazz over the course of my life but it's growing on me. I found this to be very enjoyable. The musicianship is top notch.
Pretty good jazz. Bookmarked.
Best part was the random spoken word intros.
Fav: Diminuendo And Crescendo In Blue Least Fav: Blues To Be There That last song is just 14 minutes of pure amazing jazz
A whimsical journey upon the sea.
Nicht ganz gehört aber toller Jazz. Die Moderation zwischen den Stücken ist etwas lang aber irgendwie athmosphärisch. Als allererstes Stück Star Sprangled Banner zu hören war cringe.
It's been awhile since I said it, but I don't like live albums. And this original live album - well it wasn't even really live half the time. The dubbed applause sounds awful, even if it was the original pasted overtop a studio performance of the suite. But...but. Holy hell is the remastered full concert performance something. That's live music, as if you were there - in a jazz riot! That being said, it's not the suite (side A) that winds up the crowd. It's Diminuendo and Crescendo in Blue and the sax solo that does it, followed by a bunch of songs - including Jeep's Blues - to keep the ravenous crowd from rioting. The fact that side B is ordered in reverse is a travesty. And the fact that all the interaction with the crowd and the final few songs after Jeep's Blues don't appear in the original is a travesty. I mean, they were going to tear the place down if the Duke had stopped after Tulip or Turnip like the announcer wanted, and how they go nuts for Skin Deep (oh my the drums) but then concede to the Duke's farewell after, that is something to hear. I don't even know what to believe in the original, but the actual live performance sounds great - even if you hear more of the band encouraging each other than the crowd. You hear the crowd soon enough. I'm going with a 4 because the original is fabricated and quite frankly not as good as the authentic version. But I get that it took time and technology to get us that version.
Robert Fripp said (approximately): “A studio recording is a love letter, a live performance is a hot date." So then what do we call it when they take a frenetic, mind-blowing live performance and replace some of it with a studio version, complete with canned applause? I'll leave that to others to define, but I'm glad I listened to the 90's rerelease with the actual live recording. It includes the studio excerpts at the end of the album and the energy level between studio versus live is night and day. Half of what made the actual live show great was the craziness of the audience and the band. Case in point: yeah, Paul Gonsalves' sax solo in Diminuendo and Crescendo in Blue is pretty great, but what makes it amazing is listening to the band egg him on. It's also crazy how wild the audience got. You crazy 50's hipsters you! Overall, it's a great historical time capsule. Favorite tracks: Blues to be There, Diminuendo and Crescendo in Blue, Skin Deep (great drum solo).
The God honey!
I generally listen to these albums whilst I'm driving. I enjoyed the non-intrusive nature of the album and quite enjoyed the talking as well. Probably another day i might not like it so much
Oof this doesn’t just break my golden rules, it smashes through them with wild abandon. Double album. Live album. Not only is it 1 hour but the version I’m directed to is over 2 hours. I was absolutely going to serve and take a day off 1001 for such a poor selection before my one of my group pointed out the original 1959 release was only 39 minutes long. It’s still live which is a “no no” for me, but I can do 39 minutes. So here we are. Jazz. Clearly nice jazz, clearly talented jazz musicians. I’ve got nothing more to say except it could get a run out at the mythical Cafe Kelvinos. Probably the mid morning slot.
83/1001. The oldest album at least by a decade. Well they didn't really make albums innthe fifties, right? In the beginning the weird speeches interrupted the good mood and at some point I got bored, but then I put in the headphones and the band started to play for me. Crazy energy and vibes from 70 years ago. Some licks and talented musicians, the recording quality of a gig is what it is, it is 1956 for god's sake. I had some kind of extended version which started putting out some outtakes after the gig finished, and just had to stop. It was good enough already.
4/5 Pour yourself a Manhattan, light up a stogie, and let Duke take you back to a time of Jazzy babies and cool cats. Father O'Connor could have used way less stage time, just hand it over to Duke and the boys, they've got it from here. Fave Song: Newport Up
Live jazz album!!! Great!!
Jazz aus der guten alten Zeit
I liked some of the aspects of rock in this album! Not totally my vibe but I enjoyed the listen.
3.5
Big band is not my favourite type of jazz, but this was still really good. 4.5 stars
If there’s only one Ellington album to check out before you die then I guess this will do. Very high class throughout. No Satin Doll and about 60% overdubs but still a tasty swathe of Dukey Treats and a snatch of Shortnin Bread in there as well.
Depending on which version of this album you're listening to, you will end up with quite different results. I chose to listen to the original version but using the complete editions sound/mix which made for a thoroughly enjoyable jazz album. Might go back and listen to the full complete version, but considering how much chatting there is going on, I'm not sure I'd enjoy it more.
Listened Before? N Another classic jazz album! Much like the others on this list it's new to me and I really dig it. Just need to be in the right mood. Added to Library? N Songs added to playlist: Tea For Two
This predates the idea of an album as an artist statement. Rather it’s a document. I’d like more of that in my life. Big band swing is so fascinating to a rocker such as myself. Swing is so sophisticated and the Duke is the King. I enjoyed how Ellington introduced players and gave a few notes to the audience, implying they are all educated about the music. When the music starts the energy is so high. It’s probably 5/5 but as a passerby I likely would only play this out of curiosity.
I like big band music quite a bit, though I have to be in the mood for it. (I used to whip out my four-disc Glenn Miller Orchestra collection during stressful times at my first job.) The more staid tracks on here ("Tea for Two," "Take the 'A' Train") are fine, but I loved the ones where the band is really hot, baby, hot ("Diminuendo in Blue," "Skin Deep"—that drum solo, dios mio—"Tulip or Turnip"). This is a formidable performance by an icon and a neat time capsule.
I can safely say I've never listened to this much Duke Ellington continuously. Appreciate the history lesson, and very cool to be transported to a pre-rock-n-roll time where joyously yelling at jazz musicians was how you got your ya-yas out.
A great jazz album, not my favorite jazz artist but still great.
The musicianship on display here is incredible. And there was enough of a jazz influence to keep me very interested.
Strong start! Live album #1, wonder how many of these there will be among the 1,001? Feels like the musicianship and performances captured here are at a higher level to be considered one of the all-time best recordings.
Listened to a shorter version-45 minutes of highlights.
SPOILER ALERT! Did not expect the first song!
Day561 - top tier jazz
A big band party! Electrifying individual and collective performances, built around the core track ‘Diminuendo and Crescendo in Blue’, are further enhanced by a live audience that is seriously dialed in (the studio retrofits on some tracks notwithstanding). As energizing and ‘rock and roll’ as jazz gets.
Solid, pure Jazz.
Great
This album feels really fun and immersive?? I feel like that’s the right word to describe it. It was a nice listen
Big band's last hurrah? As Miles and all those other cool kids started to define the shape of jazz to come, Duke beautifully captures what it was. If you're going to spend so much time in the studio editing and re-recording, then would you not cut down some of the stage chat and MCing? At least I know what Father O'Connor thinks of the weather... Music is great - crazy tight playing, loads of energy! That solo....
One of if not the greatest of all time, jazz musicians in history and Pioneer for jazz I listen to this album with so much appreciation for the talent and skill in the history of it. It is super long and has a lot of talking, which at some point takes away from it, but it’s cool to just be part of the moment while they’re talking And so if you come into it with that mindset, it’ll open up your eyes to a new way of hearing the non-musical moments.
vc não odeia jazz ao vivo vc tem medo de jazz ao vivo e sua falta de limites a improvisação que torna a música completamente diferente da versão do álbum
QUEBRA TUDO NESSE SOLO DE SAX pedradaça. bonito demais a plateia ENDOIDECENDO no solaço do mano.
Wonderful voice, wonderful jazz, wonderful instruments, wonderful people
Really good jazz, Ellington is a legend for good reason
Pretty great live record that transported me to a different time and place. The horns are eclectic and exciting and the band are able to produce some pretty wild sounds with their kit. The standout track is the percussion showcase Skin Deep, though the entire set is rock solid and as tight as any live album I've heard.
Good album/performance. It’s got a nice legend behind it, too, which admittedly offers more of the appeal for me. I prefer later jazz styles, but there are some great moments on here that make it worth a listen.
I've just realized that I generated this album just about 100 days after generating The Atomic Mr. Basie by Count Basie, the other titan of big band swing from this era. That's pretty cool This album was really good. It felt like a combination of classical arrangements with a lot of great dance energy, creating a cool fusion of the two approaches. I'm reminded of how both Jazz and Classical music started out common, popular music before being seen as two aristocratic/complex and faded out of the public view. This felt like how Jazz music should be listened to, in a live energetic environment rather than produced, mastered, and streamed. Favorite Track: Diminuendo and Crescendo in Blue
Excelente jazz bien tocado.
Excited and engaging jazz. I enjoyed this.
This was great! high energy jazz. I chose to listen to the original 1956 track listing instead of the 2+ hour rerelease. There’s a Spotify playlist someone made with that track listing.
Many years ago my dad and I were talking about his coming of age in the ’60s, and while he was no hippie, he explained that part of what made that decade so exciting was that the ’50 were so boring. I kept thinking about that as I listened to this album, recorded in 1956, and how it seems to encapsulate what I like to imagine was a lovely day by the seaside and how this terrific performance must have been so thrilling. Never mind that the final recording was supposedly augmented with studio performances and piped-in crowd noise, this feels like a bridge between jazz’s big-band past and its more freeform future. “Jeep’s Blues” is sultry and sexy. It’s not hard to imagine how this performance must have scandalized conservative 1950s America and help set the stage for the cultural revolution to follow as much as any rock and roll artist.
Lots of talent on stage here.
Really enjoyed the jazz. I did not enjoy the announcement sections in between.
This was better than I expected. To be honest i still dont love jazz and this goes against what i normally like. But it had great rhythm and flow. Some really good solos. I dont think I would ever choose to put this on. But if Gabi was like lets do some jazz music I would definitely pick this to listen to.
7/10 - good Sunday listen.
Last track kills it.
Festival Junction // Blues to Be There // Diminuendo In Blue //
Jazzy!
Sublime live jazz record, ear piercing sounds and all good vibes from start to finish.
This is a pretty great snapshot of early days of the Newport Jazz festival. However at times it felt like I was listening to it for the historical value more so to the musical. You could really hear how he was on the cusp of this new jazz sound that took over in the 60's but still rooted in the more traditional ballroom style of the time. Definitely influential and groundbreaking stuff.
Well this was a super enjoyable listen while making coffee and breakfast on a Sunday morning. Jazz isn’t really my go to genre, but I’m much more familiar with more avant-garde jazz artists, so it was nice to dip my toes into some big band stuff.
I'm sure generally he deserves a 5 but I had to take off a point for it being a live album that was way too long with all the extra talking and stuff.
i mean it's Duke Ellington, I don't think there's much to say, talented people making music is always enjoyable to listen
Some good songs on here I have never heard. Really enjoyed the listen. Listened twice!
jako dobro! obožavam kako publika popizdi na zadnjoj pjesmi. nastavim li ovako, do 1001. albuma bit ću najveći fan džeza hahaha
I know that some consider this a classic already. And that it revived Ellington's career going into his death in the 70's. And that he is among the 20th century best composers. But what I cant get past is the way he went back to the studio and redid the parts that the audience did not react to the way he thought. For me, that will always put an asterisk next to the name of this album. Thus, 4 stars.
Positiv overraskelse
Lød super godt! Virkelig levende musik, har aget som vin (jeg havde ikke specielt høje forventninger)
This concert sounds so legendary. The way the crowd keeps going wilder and wilder is awesome. I enjoyed it quite a bit - even in mono 😄
Ova je lista već postigla nešto značajno - ubijedila me da ne mrzim jazz. I ne samo to, nego počinjem poprilično uživati u ovakvim albumima, nije više samo da smatram da je dobro odsvirano i tačka. Mogla bih možda čak nekad početi i namjerno slušati ovo.
Masterful performance
Really good live album, just has a wonderful flow and the solos are excellent. Listened to it twice in a row and it helped me lock in at work.
Totally have to transport myself to a1950's new York cabaret show to fully appreciate this (not listening while doing the washing up in my kitchen)
Jazz at its very best, being that is was at the Newport Jazz Festival the atmosphere seems relaxed & calm early on. The Duke himself seems in control, very at ease & the crowd appear super chilled at first but very appreciative of the band's fine work. As the album progresses the crowd become a lot louder and energetic, raucous at times.... you can really sense the enjoyment, would have loved to have been there. I recently read that this re-ignited the Duke's career and stature in the Jazz world- I can see why.
I don't love big band, but I love this! I prefer his work with Coltrane a bit later on, but this was a phenomenal listen. To be honest, I listened to the full 44 minute version (OG) NOT the 2 hour version.. Might revisit that a bit later. Complex arrangements, great song structures and excellent musicians!
Excellent instrumentation
Most songs on the album lasts 1 day, 23 hours, 59 minutes and 59.000009 seconds.
I've been a bit up and down on jazz but I am a bit attracted to big band and this is the sort of thing I'd be happy to be jangling away in the background.
Verryyyyyy good Every instrument blesses my ears
I felt like I needed to be in a jazz club sipping a cocktail to fully enjoy, but it’s a classic.
Very nice, long.
Smooth and live. I likes it. It won’t go in permanent rotation, but I would recommend it to those that are curious. Great sound for being recorded in a public setting.
Not sure whether the listing is for the original issue with only some songs, or the later full reissue (not being a fan of live recordings, I preferred the former).
Yes!
Adding a star for historical significance. Damn, people went nuts for the Duke! They broke a curfew for him!
Enjoyable. 4/5
This makes me wish we had better recording technology years ago. This album is fun but I wish there was a cleaner recording. That said It's a very good album. I enjoy jazz but wouldn't say I'm a huge fan, that said this album is great to sit down and listen to. I started listening to it at home, drove to work and finished it at work. I then listened again at work. It's nice in all of those circumstances, I would of loved to see this live. I think it would have been amazing.
There was some serious squeak on this one
Great Jazz album! Also love the introductions, they add a lot of history
Not my favourite style of jazz but Duke is the Duke
Huge and timeless
The Newport Jazz Festival (like its Folk cousin) had a reputation for being cerebral and (small c) conservative, which was why it was such a revelation when Duke Ellington pulled off this barnstorming performance that had the normally staid crowd dancing in the aisles. Due to problems with the recording the original release of this album was mostly a studio performance recorded the next day, but in 1999 another tape of a radio broadcast surfaced enabling us to hear the full show for the first time. This is really live jazz at its best! Nice!
The music is amazing, but the recording is pretty bad. Some instruments can hardly be heard (even with headphones) and the background noise of the crowd is too high. I felt like listening to a bootleg whereas it is supposed to be a "real" live album. So yes, jazz is a music that might be better live, but if it recorded in the right conditions, it's even better... 5 for the music, 2 for the recording.
Much respect for the Duke. Great musicianship. Good listen. Probably not going to actively register so should be a 3 but for the legend, a 4
The good kind of jazz
So cool. The intimate feeling of the album really puts you there, like you took a time machine back almost 70 years. Really amazing stuff.
I actually did really like this. But it is 2hrs and 7 mins
Grounded in the Big Band sound but with decidedly modern solo performances.
What a show.
It’s a strange thing listening to this album on streamers in 2025 because you’re conscious that you’re not hearing the original 1956 LP. The original album is a swift 46 minutes with studio overdubs liberally applied (60% of the “live album”. On the “complete” version, you’re firstly delivered the full 75 minute show, which is captivating, then studio excerpts from those curious overdubs. You are then presented with what is sort of the original album, with one track subbed in and one track subbed out. The two albums sound nothing like each other! Nothing at all! I wonder if anyone at the original performance who picked up the LP months later could tell that fake audience clapping was being faded in and out! The original unaltered recordings are sensational, really showing what Duke Ellington can do with a piano. Despite being recorded in an open air environment it’s full of warmth. I’m not hearing the original record through a gramophone set up, but listening side by side with the truly live recording it quite obviously lacks that same level of warmt. But then it sold an absolute tonne in the 50s - so what do I know about anything? Both records are great and give you a proper rush. But the original is a stealth studio album.
7/10 Duke Ellington really was one of the best jazz artists. An immersive project as a live recreation. My favorite has to be Diminuendo and Crescendo in Blue. My only complaint is that it was a tad too long for me. If I’m looking for jazz, this will be where I go.
Wayyyyy too much patter in this live album but you cannot argue with that jazz
I can’t deny the high craftsmanship of the various musicians. Duke was a masterful bandleader and ran a great showcase for the style in Newport. I just don’t care at all for jazz, especially the older, band-style of the genre. I would avoid any elevator that played this music and just walk up the stairs. But 4 stars for their talent and artistry.
Quality live big band
Dope
Talented live big band jazz performances, might've enjoyed more with better audio/without all the stage introductions. Standouts: Take the A Train, Diminuendo In Blue
I love this. It’s a bit long for me but I appreciate having the complete show here.
One of the best big bands at one of the best jazz festivals. I'm grateful that this was recorded and that we can hear it.
This album sounds like hotel lobby music which makes me feel nostalgic. It sounds really good to be honest I will probably listen again.
Do you want to listen to some music that has some nice saxophone? Well in Jeep's Blues you can! I rate this song a ⭐⭐⭐⭐. I recommend this song. Do you want to listen to some music that has some really nice piano? Well Inn Take The "A" Train you can! I rate this song a ⭐⭐⭐⭐. I recommend this song. Do you want to listen to some music that has a lot of saxophone? Well in sophisticated lady you can! I rate this song a ⭐⭐⭐. I kind of recommend this song.
Smooth
It goes!!!!
An interesting piece of musical history — the solo in Diminuendo and Crescendo in Blue truly lives up to its reputation.
Wow, this was fun! I only winced a little bit at those squeaky high notes that felt more show-offy and novelty than musical.
I could enjoy this in 5 minute intervals, but a whole record was too much. Not for me.
Increeeedible solos on this one. Shoutout to sax on Diminuendo in Blue for the 27-chorus long solo. Also really impressed at the production quality for it being a 50s album, that trumpet felt like it was in my brain.
It's a pretty good jazz album. Despite being a big band the songs give plenty of time to some of the individual members and let them shine. I wish there was a more concise edition than the one on Spotify though, which included the recordings from between songs and two versions of some tracks.
pretty jazzy pretty good
Fantastic. I am typically not a fan of big band jazz, but this is just right.
Good album
Fantastic, lively live jazz album. Very enjoyable.
Some great jazz!
So fucking beeindruckend 🥹
Duke Ellington! Hell yeah.
Okay, it's long - but Jazz is easy listening, right? Yes, it is, this is great. I did skip the announcements; I understand it's a live album, but I don't feel like I missed anything by skipping them. First time listening to a full jazz record and I can really get behind this.
First listen. Solid album with great solos but what do I know about Jazz? Liked the part where Duke had to calm down the audience to stop a riot.
Before I die, am I supposed to listen to the 1956 album or the complete version released in 1999?
not for me
This album leaves a similar impression as the Muddy Waters At Newport one, it's a good album, but it's a shame it's a live one. It starts off rather slowly, but picks up the pace after a couple of tunes. The winded instruments shine the most in my opinion, the sax, trumpet and the clarinet. The rhythm section is not that well mic'd up, so it doesn't come of as loud as it should and is kind of underwhelming. While on the other hand, brass instruments come of as too strong at times. The piano provides a nice background to the wind soloists. The album is a nice, relaxing listen, especially because of the aspect of it being live. It sounds more laid back, natural and "next to you", even though the quality suffers because of this. Still, this is a great example of a big band jazz orchestra doing everything from big monumental intros to intricate solo pieces and improvisations. Solid album, but it's not amongst the best I heard in the genre, mostly because of it's lack of fidelity. Wasn't sure whether I should give it 3 or 4. Giving it a 4 just because of the musicianship and talent on display.
I skipped over some of the extra long emceeing and did find it all a bit long for me. But wow what a band. It’s insane how crisp and flawless they sound on a live album. The musicianship is off the charts. Truly quintessential. And I enjoyed hearing the crowd reactions; they were going wild at some parts!
Pretty good big band jazz album, great playing overall. But let me just say, it is so annoying when Spotify only has the extended (or in this case "complete") versions of albums. The way I like to listen to music is by adding them to the queue, so when it's the extended version it adds a whole bunch of demo/live versions/b-sides that I don't really care about. However, this extended version doesn't even start with the original 1956 release, it ENDS with it, with some other stuff shoved in between. Here is the original track list: Festival Junction Blues to Be There Newport Up Jeep's Blues Diminuendo and Crescendo in Blue Anyways it was a good album. High 4.
I knew that Duke Ellignton was someone that I had to deep dive. He is a god and walked this earth so that Coltrane, Davis, and Mingus could run. What a fun fun jazz album and a new must have on Vinyl
I liked the music, but the album was too long. At disc 2, I was starting to zone out. I prefer albums around 45 minutes to 1 hr running time. I can make an exception for specific artists and genres, but I like them short overall. Still, that won't affect the rating that I am giving, which is 4 stars.
****a great album
This is an amazing album!
Enjoyed this.
I like jazz, and this was certainly that
Great jazz
40 songs !?!?! Thank god there was some songs of few seconds or minutes which was perfect. Actually I hate albums which have way too long songs but this time that was perfect and Duke is clearly one of the best musician ever so that's awesome to listen to his work, I particularly looooove the first album for sure. So thank you for your work Duke we <3 U
4/5 Mostly instrumental jazz, some blues.
Music was fantastic and a live album showcases the peak talents of everyone but the emcee yapping and length bring it down to 4 stars
8.9
The fact that Ellington thought the original recording wasn't good enough so he had to fake it in the studio is absolutely absurd. Some incredible recordings here. So much energy, so much creativity. Loved this a lot. The vocal tracks are by far the worst here, as vocal jazz is typically not very good!!
Infectiously energetic. Masterful performance from the Duke and the whole band. And Sam Woodyard rocking a double bass setup behind the drum kit - in the 50s! Wild stuff.
Listening to Sir Duke immediately after having to sit through a SZA album is akin to slowly sipping a neat 15-year Talisker single-malt in front of a roaring fire after having been force-fed a bowl of moldy Weetabix soaking in your dog's water dish for a month. 9/10 4 stars.
A wordless story Instrumental class and skill Beyond just grandeur
The Big Band Great.
Classical night jazz set. Not the best one, but it’s Duke Ellington, its legend
I chose to patch together the original 1956 L.P. track listing using the 2017 Columbia - Legacy "Newport 60th Anniversary Edition" 96kHz/24 bit mono release. That gave me something a more manageable 43 minutes long to listen to. The various "complete" and "expanded" editions are, I am sure, "important" but this list is taken from "1001 albums..." so I'm going to listen to the original album where possible. Just to see what all the fuss was about. The sound quality on this album is very much of its time; mono and a bit "distant". Curiously, I prefer that to the snippet I head of the re-mastered, massaged into "stereo" recordings. YMMV. It's the sort of album that I expect to sound great on my valve amplifier. I'll get around to that a bit later, solid-state will have to do for the moment. The playing is exceptional. Real top quality swing/jazz. 4/5.
Duke Ellington always delivers and is pleasant to listen to. There's some great playing on here and the band seems to be really energetic. Listening to this one really made me want to listen to the complete 2 hour concert. I can see why he was so popular back in the day, its very easy yet pleasant Jazz to listen to. It really feels like a celebration of Jazz and Ellingtons own career.
This is such an odyssey and I loved the elongated introductions (including the Quincy Jones shout-out!), but it loses a star because I think the solo on "Festival Junction" burst my eardrums.
I was a little skeptical about this one at first, but I think the fact that it was live saved it for me. It was a great album, and upon reading more about it, it was cool how this album re-ignited Duke's career, and also got such a huge crowd response toward the end. Pretty cool to hear that live.
Cool.
Love this rendition of 'Take the A-Train.' Also the drum solo at the end of the album is absolutely killer. High energy, songs that sound like they were extremely fun to play!
# Album Name: Ellington at Newport # Artist: Duke Ellington # Rating: 4/5 # Comments: Im not a jazz fan but i enjoyed the album in its entirety. # Top Tunes: Not sure - it blended into one tbh. Good album all round. # Would I listen to it again? Yes
Explosive live big band jazz. The solo on Diminuendo In Blue is nuts. Really fun to listen to. Favorites were Festival Junction and Diminuendo In Blue.
Sheer musicality and excellence.
Glad to listen to this. Felt like a naked gun soundtrack. Nice to actually hear some sort of structure but again not a heck of a lot of melodies. At least it didn’t sound like practice. Appreciation for this music came from watching whiplash. This is classic essential music.
Nice sound. Surprised to learn they overdubbed as far back as the 50's. Ellingtons classic sound
Duke Ellington, well, that's Duke. One of the great ones of American and world music history. One of the biggest or event the bigges composer of non-classical music. This double disc album is from a concert in Newport and gives a good summary of his music. For me it is not one of the greatest albums of all times, I like more the more modern versions of his music. But that does not change anything about his importance.
Love the MC, and the solos were brilliant.
Wow! The jazz/big band/swing music of the Greatest Generation and it is amazing. This is music WAY before my time, but it's almost timeless and very engaging. Take the "A" Train is one that is instantly recognizable and a great song. Even though I did not recognize a lot of other songs specifically, all of them sound so familiar.
Festival Junction 4 Blues to Be There 3.6 Newport Up 3.8 Jeep's Blues 4 Diminuendo and Crescendo in Blue 4.1 Score: 3.9
Its listed as Jazz, but it feels to me like Jazz emerging from Big Band in a very positive way. All the corny intros throw you back into an entriley different era. Really good stuff IMO, but not my everyday listen.
Great jazz.
Excellent - when I think Jazz, this is what I think of.
Album was really good, I'm assuming it would have been one of the best albums at that point in time, but in modern day, it holds up well, but not as well. Favorite song Pt 2: blues to be there
🎧Terrific big band jazz from Duke
Skipped the Star Spangled Banner cuz it sounded goofy. Enjoyed all of the other tracks, with my faves being Tulip or Turnip, Diminuendo in Blue, I Got it Bad and That Ain't Good, Skin Deep, Jeep Blues and Blues to Be There. The band was amazing and the crowd work was good. It was nice to hear how much the audience loves the music. Easy to listen to and could definitely picture myself listening to this in a cozy cocktail bar after a long day.
Ellington At Newport Fave Tracks: DISC ONE - Tea For Two - Pt.1 Festival Junction (the best one) - Pt. 2 Blues to Be There (amazing) - Pt. 3 Newport Up - Diminuendo In Blue (meaty boy) DISC TWO - Jeep's Blues - Tulip or Turnip - Skin Deep (magnum opus max) Honourable Mentions: - Day In, Day Out (omg vocals?) So I knew it would end eventually... The amazing intros run ruined by the good old 🦅🦅. It's terrible. I hate it. Greasy ass anthem. So I had to skip it. Ofc I'm not gonna include the Duke announces, I know it's a live album, but it just takes forever I just wanna slurp the meat. Black and Tan fantasy sounded like a horse... However, as the album progressed I fell deeper in love... just wow. I rarely listen to jazz despite me enjoying the genre, but this makes me want to LIVE BREATHE EAT RAVE Jazz ya feel?! It's just... ugh such a quintessential shower, morning routine, driving in the dark listening. At any point of the day, if ones of these comes on I'm just happier. However, the stand out tracks are imo the masterpieces but the rest sound very much like random vibes? Idk. To me its a 3.5 tho i cant rate it that... So it's a low 4. For the standout tracks simply because they are I.M.M.A.C.U.L.A.T.E
Really torn between 4 and 5
skipped through the song and artist introductions/vamping i’m soz. live jazz is incredible . does anyone else remember how duke ellingtons ghost is a character in hit netflix show big mouth .
8/10. This one definitely gave me massive fomo for never being able to go to a show like that (until I realised that means living in America in the 50s). Genuinely when the crowd get so hyped it's hard to not do the same yourself. Musicianship is obviously outstanding on the record and while some features such as some of the high pitched 'wailing', it was a fun listen. Definitely giving 'you had to be there' though, probably a 10/10 live.
Hermoso
Such a classic album with Duke Ellington being one of the great jazz composers. I grew up playing "Take the A Train", really enjoyed "Tea for Two" and "Mood Indigo" was always a track I loved too. Logistically, listening to the live album was a bit more distracting.
Didn't make it through the whole thing, but definitely an enjoyable listen.
Som å høre på en Duke Ellington konsert live, for det er akkurat det det er. Og det er jævlig fett.
3.83
Cool tunes but I skipped the talking bits, does that make me a bad person?
Dobrze siedzi ten album, bardzo lubię big bandową muzykę. Jazz z czasów, kiedy dało się go tak po prostu słuchać, bez nadęcia. Czytałem trochę o historii tego albumu i to też bardzo ciekawa sprawa, na pewno dodaje do jego ważności (choć nie ma wpływu na jego "słuchalność"). Nie będę udawał, że znam się na jazzie na tyle, żeby powiedzieć coś wybitnie mądrego na jego temat, ale na czysty feeling jest to solidne 4.
Nieczęsto trafiam na jazz, który naprawdę mnie wciąga, ale "Ellington at Newport" to zupełnie inna historia. To album, który nie tylko dokumentuje legendarny koncert, ale wręcz oddaje jego energię – od pierwszych dźwięków czuć, że coś wyjątkowego dzieje się na scenie. Kulminacją jest "Diminuendo and Crescendo in Blue", gdzie saksofonowy szał Paula Gonzalesa rozpala publiczność i zmienia występ w prawdziwą eksplozję emocji. Słucha się tego jak perfekcyjnie uchwyconego momentu w historii – surowego, pełnego napięcia i czystej radości grania. Mocne 4
Nice and mostly smooth. Very classic jazzy stuff. Will be throwing this on for a Friday night!
Favorite Track: Diminuendo In Blue
This feels like some good Fallout-core, and I'm always down for that. Just good jazz.
I wish I could see bands like this today. (6 know/13 new)
I don’t know what I’m listening to but I like it.
Patrolling the Mojave almost makes you wish for a nuclear winter.
I was actually not in the mood for some jazz but this record changed my mind. So cool!