Something To Live For/A Flower Is A Lovesome Thing/Passion Flower/I Like The Sunrise/Azure/Imagine My Frustration/Duke’s Place/Brownskin Girl In The Calico Gown/What Am I Here For/Cotton Tail
Ella At Duke’s Place was the second collaboration between two of the greatest jazz performers. Despite heading for the twilight of their careers both are still in good form.
“This is Ellington at full strength and Ella too. Above all, it's a session that captures every delicate shade and hue of the exquisitely beautiful, albeit often challenging, music of Billy Strayhorn. There's no fooling around here, no jam session looseness, no programming to meet general consumer approval.”
“Despite the fact that this is not one of Ella or Duke's best known albums, it is definitely one of the best. Ella was at perhaps her absolute peak vocally when this was recorded, and I doubt that there is a living vocalist who could re-create many of the moments in the album. But it's not just about a wonderful voice; Ella puts a lot of soul and feeling into these songs. Her Something To Live For is so poignant that it is impossible to listen to it without being moved. The two 'flower' songs are excellent, exploiting her rich lower register to create intense longing and desire. Sunrise is again touching; she sings it with just the right blend of sadness and hope for a better day. Azure is awesome, especially after the full band drops out, leaving just Ella and Duke on piano to noodle around.”
“This is a musical reunion of Ella and Duke. You can see that Ella is having a ball and in some cases, she reaches an intense emotionality very rarely associated with her. Ella was at her loosest best where she playfully pushed her voice to exciting improvisatory limits.” ,p> “Ella Fitzgerald is one of the worlds greatest vocalists, her voice is a diamond. Together with one of the greatest teachers of music, Duke Ellington, this disc is a must have. The pairing of the two is music history. Her voice and the band are pure magic, with the strong chemistry between them; together they hit the right note.”
“This is one of the greatest albums the great Ella recorded, absolutely enchanting start to finish with fabulous songs, great arrangements and the mutual admiration between Mr. Ellington and Miss Ella fully evident. This is a true classic.”
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