This is so meditative. Talk about music to decompress! This version is new to me and it it's not a moment too long. I have always loved Mood Indigo but this takes it to a completely different level! It may not sound challenging to the musicians but the intonation has to be "spot on" as the Brits say. If you've ever heard MI played by a group that is not very good - those chords if they are the least bit off - absolutely painful.
What a sophisticated performance of this sophisticated masterpiece of American Jazz! The mellow sound of saxophone represents the mood of nights in New York at the beginning of the early fifties.
All solos are wonderful, every of the solists is an artist. But the most astonishing and surprising solo ist the one of the trombone. Abolsutely smashing! A trombone talking to us...
Hi, my mum used to hum all the time to different music, when she used to hum to this i knew i would hear it one day. I cant remember when i first heard it but this beautiful song has stayed with me for so many years, love it.
What a super version of one of my favourite Ellington pieces. This was the piece that I first heard of the Dukes and it instigated a life long love affair. Even though this is an early piece of music it had all those wonderful Ellington qualities. I always loved the orchestra's subtle tones, playing melodies that I would never have dreamed of. Thanks.
Thanks for putting this up. It was one of the first Jazz LPs that I bought in 1964, when it was still available on the Columbia label. Not only a brilliant song and arrangement, but outstanding solos from band members, including Ellington himself, and that evocative 1940s vocal from Yvonne. How much of this lovely arrangement was down to the great Billy Strayhorn, we may never know? Please, Sony Music Corporation re-issue "Masterpieces by Ellington"
Une très grande sensualité.. Indigo. Ce dégage. Au fur et à mesure la. Couleur apparaît comme une évidence.. Jusqu'à cette trompette parlante.. Dingue..
to all the people unsure of the personnel listings on ellington recordings: go to ellingtonia.co.m. they have a comprehensive discography of EVERY recording Ellington made. Enjoy :)
From what I've read, Strayhorn did the arrangements and played most of the piano. On this track Ellington comes in at 13.20 and you can tell it's a different piano (sounds a bit more distant in the room). That said, when I've heard live versions of this piece Ellington often plays the ending just like this version (sometimes with the whole band playing the chords).
The listing of Artists @1:53 sadly omits the obvious presence of Harry Carney on baritone saxophone (and possibly clarinet in the other woodwind interludes).
@astrolin7 The "Ivonne" mentioned on your LP is Yvonne Lanauze; you can look her up on Google, she sand with Ellington and Strayhorn, among others. And on my LP it indicates that Duke is playing the piano.
The piano that plays from around 13.20 is among the greatest I have ever heard. Strayhorn I imagine, but it could be Duke. The chords... just flawless, perfect.
+James St.James. More likely Strayhorn, yes. That style impacted a lot on Abdullah Ibrahim whom Duke also "discovered" and who subbed for Duke on a few dates with the Ellington Orchestra in 1966. Ibrahim has extensively acknowledged both these masters in his work.
Am I hearing this right? Billy Strayhorn soloing with clear references to Ellington's solo style? if Not then perhaps both of them sharing the solo space. Thanks for posting this. This album was one of my first exposures to Ellington.
Quite true, but he's on there all right. I happen to play baritone sax, and he was my first bari hero, so I know his unmistakable sound sound very well. ;)
Who is playing the fancy lines with the "mute" in the horn, continuing after Yvonne's singing ? ...is that a trombone? ...great effect, almost cuasi vocalish; thank you for the info if anyone could share. .
could someone remind me of the musicians' names Barney Bigard ,clarinet ?John Hodges on alto saxophone for sure ,but ..James Hamilton , also one of the clarinets . Trumpet lead ,Harold Baker ?Paul Gonsalves on tenor for sure . Lawrence Brown ( reluctantly !) on wahwah trombone ?.then - surely not still in the band ? Samuel Nanton ? Harold Carney of course ,Baritone saxophone . Billy Strayhorn arrangement ? help !
from the wiki page: Duke Ellington, Billy Strayhorn - piano Cat Anderson (tracks 1-4, 6 & 7), Shorty Baker, Mercer Ellington (tracks 1-4), Fats Ford (tracks 1-4), Ray Nance, Nelson Williams - trumpet Lawrence Brown (tracks 1-4), Tyree Glenn (tracks 1-4), Quentin Jackson, Britt Woodman (tracks 5-7) - trombone Jimmy Hamilton - clarinet, tenor saxophone Johnny Hodges (tracks 1-4), Willie Smith (tracks 5-7) - alto saxophone Russell Procope - alto saxophone, clarinet Paul Gonsalves - tenor saxophone Harry Carney - baritone saxophone, bass clarinet (track 2) Wendell Marshall - bass Sonny Greer (tracks 1-4), Louis Bellson (tracks 5-7) - drums Yvonne Lanauze - vocals[7]
thankyous griot7 & Jeff Andersen . Of course - constantly shifting turnover of band members - But all making it Ellington whilst staying true to their own way of playing -- That's part of E.K.Ellington (+ W.Strayhorn) unique genius, isn't it.
![1940's Jazz Classics [Jazz, Jazz Classics, Smooth Jazz]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/-bBzIgIaPS4/mqdefault.jpg)
This is so meditative. Talk about music to decompress! This version is new to me and it it's not a moment too long. I have always loved Mood Indigo but this takes it to a completely different level! It may not sound challenging to the musicians but the intonation has to be "spot on" as the Brits say. If you've ever heard MI played by a group that is not very good - those chords if they are the least bit off - absolutely painful.
I come at least once a year to listen to this masterpiece
Encontrar esto a mis 71 es una de las cosas maravillosas que tiene la vida. Me encanta, no puedo dejar de escucharlo. Gracias!!
I grew up hearing Ellington and Basie in our home... This is the real deal!🎹🎷😊
Beautiful.
Una vez más Ellington recreándose a si mismo para dejarnos otra bella obra de arte....!!!!!!!
What a sophisticated performance of this sophisticated masterpiece of American Jazz! The mellow sound of saxophone represents the mood of nights in New York at the beginning of the early fifties.
notaire2 hello, I am a native Texan but I can picture me and a special sweetheart in NYC enjoying the night with this as a back drop.
All solos are wonderful, every of the solists is an artist. But the most astonishing and surprising solo ist the one of the trombone. Abolsutely smashing! A trombone talking to us...
Best Version Hands Down
Hi, my mum used to hum all the time to different music, when she used to hum to this i knew i would hear it one day. I cant remember when i first heard it but this beautiful song has stayed with me for so many years, love it.
Perfect to let my melancholy roam untethered.
What a super version of one of my favourite Ellington pieces. This was the piece that I first heard of the Dukes and it instigated a life long love affair. Even though this is an early piece of music it had all those wonderful Ellington qualities. I always loved the orchestra's subtle tones, playing melodies that I would never have dreamed of. Thanks.
i love this recording, the way it starts simply, then elaborates and elaborates on that simplicity, getting deeper and under your skin.
One of the best jazz songs in the world.
Simply the best.
Masterful little heard version
A supreme example of Ellingtonia. Duke would've been breaking the boundaries today still were he alive.
Delightful! Changed my view of Jazz history. Thanks for posting!
Just unbelievably fantastic. The first time he was allowed to stretch on record, because of the Long Playing Album. And STRETCH he did!
Thanks for writing, much appreciated, david
Never heard this soulful renewal of Ellington's gem. The background figures are a revelation.
Found this album by chance at a Salvation Army ($1).....never knew I liked this kind of music!
It's wonderful!
Thanks for posting it.
This is as good as it gets
Thanks for putting this up. It was one of the first Jazz LPs that I bought in 1964, when it was still available on the Columbia label. Not only a brilliant song and arrangement, but outstanding solos from band members, including Ellington himself, and that evocative 1940s vocal from Yvonne. How much of this lovely arrangement was down to the great Billy Strayhorn, we may never know? Please, Sony Music Corporation re-issue "Masterpieces by Ellington"
I don't know how I came across this recored in the mid 80's and haven't herd it in years. Love this version of Mood Indigo more than any others.
Outstanding version. Thank you so much for sharing it !!!
It is the version I like the most. A wonderful masterpiece
Une très grande sensualité.. Indigo. Ce dégage. Au fur et à mesure la. Couleur apparaît comme une évidence.. Jusqu'à cette trompette parlante.. Dingue..
Thankyou. I really came to Jazz after decades of classical. After hearing almost an hour of Ottorini Respighi this sounds so good and refreshing.
I just bought the reissue of masterpieces by Ellington from analogue productions and it is a wonderful album!
the version you speak of was remastered beautifully. I might pick it up some time this year.
This is the true sound of paradise =] Great post Mr. David. Cheers!
Just a beautiful tune
THANKS SO MUCH for sharing this quality recording of a seldom-heard version!
Great recording
Thank you! great version
to all the people unsure of the personnel listings on ellington recordings:
go to ellingtonia.co.m. they have a comprehensive discography of EVERY recording Ellington made. Enjoy :)
From what I've read, Strayhorn did the arrangements and played most of the piano. On this track Ellington comes in at 13.20 and you can tell it's a different piano (sounds a bit more distant in the room). That said, when I've heard live versions of this piece Ellington often plays the ending just like this version (sometimes with the whole band playing the chords).
i love you Angel
Duke Ellington, Billy Strayhorn - piano; Cat Anderson, Shorty Baker, Mercer Ellington, Fats Ford, Ray Nance, Nelson Williams - trumpet; Lawrence Brown, Tyree Glenn - trombone; Jimmy Hamilton - clarinet, tenor saxophone; Johnny Hodges - alto saxophone; Russell Procope - alto saxophone, clarinet; Paul Gonsalves - tenor saxophone; Wendell Marshall - bass; Sonny Greer - drums; Yvonne Lanauze - vocals
On the session but left off the credits: Harry Carney - baritone sax, bass clarinet; and Quentin Jackson - trombone.
Yvonne Lanauze doesn't get enough credit on this one.
enjoyed this !
Why hasn't this been re-issued? It has to be one Ellington's best.
The listing of Artists @1:53 sadly omits the obvious presence of Harry Carney on baritone saxophone (and possibly clarinet in the other woodwind interludes).
@astrolin7 The "Ivonne" mentioned on your LP is Yvonne Lanauze; you can look her up on Google, she sand with Ellington and Strayhorn, among others. And on my LP it indicates that Duke is playing the piano.
Duke Ellington, December 19, 1950: Mood Indigo - Yvonne Lanauze, Vocals
davidhertzberg good
I interviewed Yvonne. She now goes by the name Eve Smith.
Thank god prime Sinatra recorded this song in 1955
Imposible pensar que personas bajen el dedo...!!!!!
The piano that plays from around 13.20 is among the greatest I have ever heard. Strayhorn I imagine, but it could be Duke. The chords... just flawless, perfect.
+James St.James. More likely Strayhorn, yes. That style impacted a lot on Abdullah Ibrahim whom Duke also "discovered" and who subbed for Duke on a few dates with the Ellington Orchestra in 1966. Ibrahim has extensively acknowledged both these masters in his work.
Am I hearing this right? Billy Strayhorn soloing with clear references to Ellington's solo style? if Not then perhaps both of them sharing the solo space. Thanks for posting this. This album was one of my first exposures to Ellington.
anyone have an idea why Harry Carney isn't on this record?
What makes you say that? He's listed in the credits (I have the original vinyl) and he can be heard quite well on certain sections here.
bentdrum the credits right at 2:00 don't have him listed in the sax section
Quite true, but he's on there all right. I happen to play baritone sax, and he was my first bari hero, so I know his unmistakable sound sound very well. ;)
0:58 (placing this here so i can practice)
Isn't that "Tricky Sam Nanton" playing that amazing yaya horn solo @ 9:30 after the vocal? Why isn't he in the credits?
Nope, it's Tyree Glenn. Nanton died in 1946.
Who is playing the fancy lines with the "mute" in the horn, continuing after Yvonne's singing ? ...is that a trombone? ...great effect, almost cuasi vocalish; thank you for the info if anyone could share. .
Tyree Glenn said my friend Alvicio.. I asked: are you sure??? Absolutely... final point... Tyree Glenn on trombone...
could someone remind me of the musicians' names
Barney Bigard ,clarinet ?John Hodges on alto saxophone for sure ,but ..James Hamilton , also one of the clarinets . Trumpet lead ,Harold Baker ?Paul Gonsalves on tenor for sure . Lawrence Brown
( reluctantly !) on wahwah trombone ?.then - surely not still in the band ? Samuel Nanton ? Harold Carney of course ,Baritone saxophone . Billy Strayhorn arrangement ? help !
I'm pretty sure thats Tyree Glenn on the trombone - He played a very similar solo on mood indigo with Armstrong.
claus nielson -thanks - yea that sounds right
Duke Ellington, Billy Strayhorn - piano; Cat Anderson, Shorty Baker,
Mercer Ellington, Fats Ford, Ray Nance, Nelson Williams - trumpet;
Lawrence Brown, Tyree Glenn - trombone; Jimmy Hamilton - clarinet, tenor
saxophone; Johnny Hodges - alto saxophone; Russell Procope - alto
saxophone, clarinet; Paul Gonsalves - tenor saxophone; Wendell Marshall -
bass; Sonny Greer - drums; Yvonne Lanauze - vocals
from the wiki page:
Duke Ellington, Billy Strayhorn - piano
Cat Anderson (tracks 1-4, 6 & 7), Shorty Baker, Mercer Ellington (tracks 1-4), Fats Ford (tracks 1-4), Ray Nance, Nelson Williams - trumpet
Lawrence Brown (tracks 1-4), Tyree Glenn (tracks 1-4), Quentin Jackson, Britt Woodman (tracks 5-7) - trombone
Jimmy Hamilton - clarinet, tenor saxophone
Johnny Hodges (tracks 1-4), Willie Smith (tracks 5-7) - alto saxophone
Russell Procope - alto saxophone, clarinet
Paul Gonsalves - tenor saxophone
Harry Carney - baritone saxophone, bass clarinet (track 2)
Wendell Marshall - bass
Sonny Greer (tracks 1-4), Louis Bellson (tracks 5-7) - drums
Yvonne Lanauze - vocals[7]
thankyous griot7 & Jeff Andersen . Of course - constantly shifting turnover of band members - But all making it Ellington
whilst staying true to their own way of playing -- That's part of E.K.Ellington (+ W.Strayhorn) unique genius, isn't it.
Beautiful. Is that Johnny Hodges on sax?
What is up with the trombone at the end - is that just a mute or is he like singing through his horn?
i was about to ask the same question ... i wish someone replies
its wah wah trombone, produced by moving a mute, or plunger, in and out of the instrument's bell
*Duke sings Duke.*
Eve Duke is Yvonne Lanauze's real name.
5/9/2018
Try washing the record and I'll be back....