The Intimate Duke Ellington

Rating:
Summary: Watching Duke Ellington is a sublime experience
Review: From the first note, you know you are in the hands of a master musician. What a treat to watch Ellington's ever-changing facial expressions as he plays some of the greatest jazz compositions ever written and leads a small version of his orchestra through a mix of rare gems and popular favorites! Though this remarkable 1967 performance on Danish television is more than 30 years old, Duke's music comes across as fresh, hip, inspired and thoroughly modern. There are plenty of moments of deep emotion and exultation that make the Intimate Ellington a joy to watch; just catch Ellington's huge, infectious grin after performing Take the A Train. You can see him pushing the boundaries of these songs, searching for new interpretations, and his restless imagination is in full effect throughout both performances. I found myself laughing out loud one moment and nearly reduced to tears the next. This DVD is a major thrill for jazz fans and an important historical record of the great Ellington during the late 60s, an era that is acknowledged as one of his most creative and risk-taking periods. I cannot overstate the musical and historical value of this dvd. To paraphrase Duke, I loved it madly.

Rating:
Summary: How Amazing is Duke!
Review: This DVD is an amazing display of what Duke and a few of his best known sidemen can do. Absolutely fabulous video that features the specialties of some of the best jazz musicians in history! Buy it now, and be happy later!