Duke Ellington & His Orchestra – The Jaywalker: 1966-1967 (2004)

The previously unreleased recordings on this Duke Ellington compilation were privately recorded by the bandleader between 1965 and 1967, part of his huge stockpile as he worked on new compositions and tinkered with a few older works. As a result, some tracks are obviously not as polished as his later (and better-known) studio or live recordings. But it is always fascinating to hear works in progress by Ellington. Cootie Williams' distinctive trumpet is the centerpiece of "The Shepherd," which began life as a piano solo, while the furious tenor sax of Paul Gonsalves is featured in the rapid-fire "Up Jump." Trombonist Lawrence Brown's trombone is the highlight of the snappy "Rue Bleu." The rich, sonorous baritone sax of Harry Carney, backed by Ellington's bluesy piano, is the focus of the ballad "Chromatic Love Affair." Billy Strayhorn's final composition, "Blood Count" (written as he lay dying an agonizing death of cancer in a hospital), is easily the best-known song in this collection; this ballad is a powerful showcase for the matchless Johnny Hodges on alto sax. "El Viti" is an exotic work written for the high-note theatrics of trumpeter Cat Anderson. Six new works were tackled at a single session, adding percussionist Emanuel Abdul-Rahim and featuring new arrival Bobby Durham on drums (who was mysteriously fired by Ellington after just a handful of concerts and recording sessions within a month of his hiring in April 1967). Following this session are nine pieces composed as music for the play The Jaywalker, though it is unknown if they were included or if it was ever performed. "Untitled Blues" seems derivative of the pianist's "C Jam Blues," featuring Ellington extensively in its introduction and conclusion, propelled by John Lamb's solid bassline. The lovely "Mac" was later renamed "T.G.T.T." and incorporated into Ellington's Second Sacred Concert. The obscure "B.O. Man," previously mislabeled as "Be Your Man," is followed by the only known version of "Tin Soldier," a rehearsal take featuring a trio of clarinets (including a humorous brief detour into "Chattanooga Choo Choo"), Gonsalves, and Hodges. Some of the musicians act as if the tape weren't rolling, as they talk among themselves and are sometimes late getting underway. Serious collectors of Ellington will enjoy this compilation.