Duke Ellington - Playing The Blues 1927-1939 (1991)

There are several reasons for a some kind of neglegt abot the 20s and 30s in Ellington's discography. First is the sound quality of the historical recordings that survived through the decades. Even the diehard Duke fan is afraid to prospect atentifly these collections, assuming to listen to some pluffy and cracky recordings…(which is not the case here where the sound was restored in great deal). Second is the problem of obtaining reliable informations about the music, sessions and the musicians envolved.
In a time when jazzbands were playing in dancehalls, ballrooms and restaurants, Ellington knew to be in pace with entertaining while keeping the musical standards high.The Duke always surrounded himself with great musicians that made his orchestra so famous and many of them became star names on their own.From this perod we can mention artists like Jimmy Blanton, Johnny Hodges and Cootie Wiliams.This dozen years compilation does a good job about showing us 21 highlights of Elingtons recordings of the era. Recommended tracks are: " Black And Tan Fantasy", "Blues With A Feeling", "Harlem Flat Blues", "Diminuendo In Blue", and "Crescendo In Blue"

Tracklist:

1. Black and Tan Fantasy 3:19
2. Yellow Dog Blues 2:54
3. The Mooche 3:35
4. No Papa No 3:23
5. The Blues With a Feeling 3:17
6. Paducah 2:32
7. Harlem Flat Blues 3:10
8. Sloopy Joe 3:13
9. Saratoga Swing 2:49
10. Beggar's Blues 3:20
11. Saturday Night Function 3:25
12. Jazz Lips [Zonky Blues] 3:17
13. Lazy Duke 3:10
14. Sweet Chariot 2:55
15. Bundle of Blues 3:14
16. Blue Feeling 3:14
17. Diminuendo in Blue 2:44
18. Crescendo in Blue 3:18
19. Battle of Swing [Le Jazz Hot] 2:59
20. Blue Light 2:42
21. Country Gal 2:55

Personnel:

Louis Bacon - Trumpet
Barney Bigard - Clarinet, Sax (Tenor)
Jimmy Blanton & Wellman Braud - Bass
Lawrence D. Brown - Trombone
Harry Carney - Clarinet, Sax (Alto), Sax (Baritone) Duke Ellington - Piano, Arranger
Sonny Greer - Drums
Fred Guy - Banjo, Guitar
Otto Hardwick - Clarinet, Sax (Alto), Sax (Baritone)
Johnny Hodges - Clarinet, Sax (Alto), Sax (Baritone), Sax (Soprano)
Rudy Jackson - Clarinet, Sax (Tenor)
Freddy Jenkins - Trumpet
Wallace Jones - Trumpet
Louis Metcalf - Trumpet
Bubber Miley - Trumpet
Joe "Tricky Sam" Nanton - Clarinet, Trombone, Sax (Alto), Sax (Soprano)
Jabbo Smith - Trumpet
Rex Stewart - Trumpet
Billy Taylor, Jr. - Bass
Juan Tizol - Trombone
Arthur Whetsol - Trumpet
Cootie Williams - Trumpet