What we have here is the welcome memento of the Duke Ellington's 1959 European tour. Berlin's Sportpalast is not a concert hall and during the cursed Nazi reign often was the site of speeches by Hitler and his fellow criminals, but the hall can be said to have been thoroughly purified by sounds of jazz by the time of this concert. The music starts with the Ellington Medley, by then a standard concert opener in varied embodiments. Critics often chided Duke for (in their opinion) overdoing this staple, but in fact it was not only a clever way of dealing with what undoubtedly would have been audience requests for beloved Ducal standards, but also a way of celebrating the continued life of his musical heritage. The concert has been remastered to modern standards, and is a must own for any Ellington fan.

Tracklist:

Black and Tan Fantasy
Creole Love Call
The Mooche
Newport Up
Such Sweet Thunder
Sonnet to Hank Cinq
Medley: Kinda Dukish / Rockin' in Rhythm
El Gato
Flirtibird
Things Ain't What They Used to Be
Skin Deep
Vip Boogie
Jam Wih Sam
St. Louis Blues
Bill Bailey
Walkin' and Singin' the Blues
Don't Get Around Much Anymore
Do Nothing Till You Hear from Me
I Got It Bad
In a Sentimental Mood
Mood Indigo
I'm Beginning to See the Light
Sophisticated Lady
Caravan
Solitude
Satin Doll
Medley: I Let a Song Go Out of My Heart / Don't Get Around Much Anymore
Basin Street Blues

UPC: 717101831524
Label: Storyville Records
Release Date: 8.20.21
Format: CD

Ellington - Berlin 1959 (2pk) (CD)