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Product details

Audio CD (31 Aug 1992)
Number of Discs: 2
Label: Atlantic
ASIN: B000002I3G
Other Editions: Audio CD | Audio Cassette | Vinyl | MP3 Download

Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (2 customer reviews)

Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 267,930 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

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15 of 15 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Sadly, they don't make them like this anymore. 11 Dec 2006

By MikeH

Format:Audio CD

Wow, what an album! Listen to the energy, the sheer joy of playing that the Duke and his orchestra exude in each and every single bar. The solos are incredible, and the warmth of the music is totally engaging. As the review above notes, this is a real mix of music, from the 60's way back to the 30's, but as was common with Ellington, he reworked pieces continuously in concert so that they are fresh and exciting years later.

This is actually a great introduction to Ellington - the tunes are there, the players are there, the man himself is on fine form, and the sound quality is superb. On a personal note, although I have an affection for big bands, such as Stan Kenton and Count Basie, Duke Ellington remains my favourite by a long way simply because of the breadth of his imagination and creativity - this music swings extremely hard, but it is also sometimes tender, melancholic and playful - he truly captures every emotion time and time again. I don't think I am exaggerating when I say that he is right up there with the greatest classical and contemporary orchestral composers of all time.

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7 of 7 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Magnificent! Live! 27 Jun 2008

By Nikica Gilic TOP 500 REVIEWER TOP 1000 REVIEWER

Format:Audio CD

Well if this is not one of the best swing-concert albums ever (equal to Goodman's famous jamboree at the Carnegie Hall and Basie's great reunion at Newport), I'd like to hear what is...

The great Ellington sax section really shines here - listen to Hodges' solos, to the way Jimmy Hamilton and Paul Gonsalves introduce "Perdido" or to the typical Gonsalves explosion of modernist creativity on "Cop Out"... However, I must admit that I don't think Cootie Williams sounds as good here as he did in his earlier years, but he is still a joy to hear (as are the versatile Ray Nance, the stratospheric Cat Anderson or the elegantly ellingtonian trombonist Lawrence Brown...)... The entire band (see the tags) is great! And the song selection is a crossover between "the best of" and "the most creative of"...

BTW, "the bonus tracks" of this double CD extravaganza - tracks 4 to 13 of the second disc - were originally issued as "Duke Ellington's Greatest Hits". No wonder, just check out the titles but also the performances... However, the first half of the album (the concert itself) is also a good way to start your Ellington romance, or to confirm your love for this American genius. If you liked, for instance, Blues in Orbit , Jazz Party , or Concert in the Virgin Islands , you're sure to like this album!

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Amazon.com: 4.9 out of 5 stars 11 reviews

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars One of my "desert island" discs.... 24 Aug 2001

By Steve Frazier - Published on Amazon.com

Format:Audio CD

This CD is a highlight of my Duke Ellington collection. Everyone needs works from the early Ellington period -- the famous band of the 40's -- the extended works from various years -- and fun compilations of Ellington standards. And then there is this fabulous, well rounded, diverse live concert from the early 60's. It is a superb insight into the work at that time -- long after the Ellington orchestra's place in history was secured, but still early enough that many of the most famous Ellington soloists were at the height of their skills (Lawrence Brown, Cootie Williams, Cat Anderson, Harry Carney, etc.).

To me the highlight has always been the work of Johnny Hodges, the lead saxophonist, on this album. His ensemble work throughout out this is fantastic, and his solos, especially on "Sunny Side of the Street" and "Star Crossed Lovers" are landmarks. There is one note that he plays during his solo on "Star Crossed Lovers" that is the most incredible note in my CD collection. That one note -- a note he holds, bends, squeezes, softens, strengthens, and bends some more -- is worth the price of this CD.

This, in short, is a necessity if you have other Ellington; it's a great place to start if you want to discover Ellington but want something a little more interesting than a compilation of standards.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars mon amour lunatique. 2 Mar 2002

By David G. Smith - Published on Amazon.com

Format:Audio CD

The title of this review is my dimestore french translation of how Duke used to sign off his concerts. "We Love You Madly)......and truer words were never spoken about this work.This is one of my cherished vinyls. The first piece hops madly...Kinda Dukish into rockin in rhythm...What a fantastic opening. Then like all work of Ellington it moves through moods. There are definite Elington Classic Songs...but so much more. Ellington wrote classical music for a jazz band.(Here there is a tone parallel and a Suite based on a piece by Steinbeck) Some of it is played here, and after a few listenings you will be wanting more. Also the concert really showcases some of the great players of this era. I have already waxed poetical earlier in my review life about the work of Johnny Hodges, and this concert showcases Johnny in a few pieces. Also it features my favorite Hodges piece, Star Crossed Lovers.....But you really get to know all the great players on this concert...Laurence Brown, Harry Carney, Cat Anderson(a trumpeter who hits notes not found in nature) Cootie Williams....these are the jazz names of their time. You have gotta give this several listens...and there is no turning back, cherie. You will be loving this madly.

10 of 12 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Duke's Finest Hour 8 Aug 2000

By "ooscott" - Published on Amazon.com

Format:Audio CD

So often your hear critics pontificate, about how Duke Ellington and Louis Armstrong had faded into mere shadows of their former selves after WWII. In both cases, my response is... "horse hockey". Indeed both Satchmo and Duke can be appreciated during the many tranistions and phases of their extrordinary carrers. At the time of this recording Ellington was entering his fifth decade as the leader of the world's premier jazz orchastra. With a supporting cast of longstanding legends such as Harry Carney, Cat Anderson, Paul Gonsalves, Louie Bellson and the inimitable Johnny Hodges, Duke leads the troops through an exhusting reportorie of well-worn classics. With so many many great Ellington live recordings available on CD, it's difficult to choose one's favorite. For my money The Great Paris Concert is Duke's finest hour and essential listening for any bonifide jazz enthusiast.

The Great Paris Concert

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