Amazon.com essential recording
Much of Duke Ellington's work is tough to get your head around, but perhaps none more so than this ambitious and appropriately exotic 1966 recording. Inspired by a 1963 State Department tour of the Middle East and a subsequent visit to Japan, this Ellington-Billy Strayhorn collaboration deftly blends not only the music of the East but the
mindset of the East with established jazz concepts. "Tourist Point of View" is an unsettled number handled cautiously by tenor Paul Gonsalves. Alto Johnny Hodges dances gingerly and exquisitely on eggshells during the beautiful "Isfahan" (first take!) before crushing those eggshells on "Blue Pepper," one of the Duke's funkiest cuts ever. Jimmy Hamilton's whirling clarinet leads the sprite dance number "Depk," while Harry Carney's stately baritone distinguishes "Agra." The urgent "Amad" is fueled by Ellington's forceful keyboard statements before "Ad Lib on Nippon" offers Duke the rare opportunity to stretch out. The four alternate takes and absolutely sterling remix make the CD reissue an inspired musical and sonic package.
--Marc Greilsamer
From Amazon.co.uk
Much of Duke Ellington's work is tough to get your head around, but perhaps none more so than the ambitious and appropriately exotic
Far East Suite. Inspired by a 1963 State Department tour of the Middle East and a subsequent visit to Japan, this Ellington-Billy Strayhorn collaboration deftly blends not only the music of the East but the mindset of the East with established jazz concepts. "Tourist Point of View" is an unsettled number handled cautiously by tenor player Paul Gonsalves. Altoist Johnny Hodges dances gingerly and exquisitely on eggshells during the beautiful "Isfahan" (recorded on the first take) before crushing those eggshells on "Blue Pepper", one of the Duke's funkiest pieces. Jimmy Hamilton's whirling clarinet leads the sprite dance number "Depk", while Harry Carney's stately baritone distinguishes "Agra". The urgent "Amad" is fuelled by Ellington's forceful keyboard statements before "Ad Lib on Nippon" offers Duke the rare opportunity to stretch out. The four alternate takes and absolutely sterling remix make the CD reissue an inspired musical and sonic package.
--Marc Greilsamer