The three sessions here were recorded in N.Y.C. in 1945 - 2 live sessions (Apollo Theatre and Zanzibar Club) plus one studio session (Radio City Music Hall). The 143 minutes (44 tunes) of music on this double-CD have never been released before. The repertoire is classic Ellington/Strayhorn material - including one Strayhorn medley and two suites ("Trio in Blue" and "Perfume Suite") - plus several tunes which were never recorded commercially. Recorded at the end of WWII, the purpose of these three programs - besides providing wonderful music - was to promote the sale of U.S. Treasury bonds to help the war effort. A major attribute of this double-CD is the inclusion of several tunes that Ellington never recorded commercially, like "Fickle Fling", "Hollywood Hangover" and "I'd Do It All Over Again". The great musicianship and enthusiasm of Ellington's orchestra includes countless fine solos - especially with Johnny Hodges and Rex Stewart - and features some great vocals by Al Hibbler, Kay Davis and Joya Sherrill.

Tracklist:

Take the a Train - (Opening Theme)
Caravan
Fickle Fling
Ellington Bond Promo
Kissing Bug
Honeysuckle Rose
Day Dream
One O'Clock Jump
Ellington Bond Promo
Take the "A" Train Into Station Break - (Theme)
Return and Introduction to Billy Strayhorn Medley
Chelsea Bridge / I Want Something To Live For / I'm Beginning To
Riff Staccato, (Otto Make That)
Carnegie Blues
I'm Beginning to See the Light - (Into Ellington Bond Promo)
Old King Dooji
Things Ain't What They Used to Be - (Theme)
Take the "A" Train - (Theme)
Clementine
I'll Buy That Dream
Come to Baby, Do!
Harlem Airshaft
Everything But You - (Theme)
Take the "A" Train - (Opening Theme)
Blue Belles of Harlem
I'm Beginning to See the Light
Ellington Bond Promo
Can't You Read Between the Lines?
Medley: Trio in Blue: Diminuendo In Blue / Carnegie Blues / Cres
Ellington Bond Promo
Mood to Be Wooed Into Station Break
Take the "A" Train and Return - (Theme)
The Perfume Suite: Balcony Serenade / Strange Feeling / Dancers
Ellington Bond Promo
Hollywood Hangover
I Don't Mind
Ring Dem Bells
Things Ain't What They Use to Be Into Broadcast Close - (Theme)
Take the "A" Train - (Theme)
Fancy Dan
Walkin' With My Honey
Go Away Blues
Homesick, That's All
I'd Do It All Over Again

UPC: 717101900725
Label: Storyville Records
Release Date: 7.1.03
Format: CD

Duke Ellington & His Orchestra - Treasury Shows, Vol. 7 (2 CD)