Additional Information from Movie Mars
Product Description
"21 Fabulous Performances" is splashed on the cover of this Early Tracks from the Master of Swing DVD of Duke Ellington material, and that they are -- classic performances kind of thrown together with no rhyme or reason. There's no problem with the music and the magic -- it's here for sure -- kind of like a DVD version of an iPod on shuffle. The set features Ellington announcing many of the tracks starting with the instrumentals "Satin Doll" and "Mood Indigo," all very elegant and beautifully played. But would you expect any less from The Duke? Herb Jeffries sings a rendition of his mega-selling hit "Flamingo" from the 1947 film with Dorothy Dandridge, while Johnny Hodges is showcased on "Things Ain't What They Used to Be" as Cootie Williams is with "Fly Me to the Moon (In Other Words)" and "Tootie for Cootie." There's the four-part "Symphony in Black" with eight-minutes-and-thirty-eight seconds featuring Billie Holiday on vocals, also available on MVD's In Hollywood: Swing Era DVD. The majesty of all this music with visuals is somewhat blunted by the lack of information accompanying this package. A clip of "Bli-Blip" credited to actors Marie Bryant and Paul White shows up in the middle of the DVD, but with no narration and no liner notes this quick edit is less than what it could be. The "VIP Boogie" and "Jam with Sam" medley at the end of this collection has Duke introducing many of the performers including Harry Carney on baritone sax and the clarinet of Jimmy Hamilton. With a stack of DVDs from this artist commercially available it would be prudent for these labels to invest in some serious telling of history with additional audio or a nice booklet. Though lacking in that, and flawed because of it, this is still a terrific listening and viewing experience from one of the greats stretched across the first 21 tracks with bonus material from Peggy Lee, the Dizzy Gillespie Orchestra, Les Paul Trio and Cab Calloway & His Orchestra. That bonus material is all tagged on, of course, with no explanation or additional information, but the 25 jazz music videos which speak for themselves. ~ Joe Viglione
About Movie Mars