ghost of miles

One of my first and still one of my most beloved Mosaics:

Much appreciation to you both! Looks like the 1961 "Lotus Blossom" was an outtake from the Piano In The Foreground sessions, which would explain why it goes unaddressed in Lambert's book, published well before the expanded CD reissue was released that included said track. And the Hodges 1959 small-group recording likely explains why the composition was re-copyrighted that year under the "Lotus Blossom" title.

Hey all, in the homestretch of finishing a new Night Lights that delves into Duke Ellington's Mercer Records label and had a question about this Strayhorn composition, which is arguably best known for Ellington's moving, impromptu solo-piano performance that appears on ...And His Mother Called Him Bill, along with a trio-version alternate take on the CD reissue. According to Walter van de Leur's Billy Strayhorn study Something To Live For, this song was copyrighted in 1946 as "Charlotte Russe" and again in 1959 as "Lotus Blossom." But were there any studio recordings or live performances of it between Hodge's 1947 version for Sunrise (an obscure DKE-owned label that morphed into Mercer Records in 1950) and Ellington's 1967 RCA tribute? I know Strayhorn wrote a great deal of music for the band that either went unrecorded or was recorded many years after the original composition, but it strikes me strange that I can't locate other versions between 1947 and 1967. The story is that Strayhorn greatly enjoyed hearing Ellington play this tune on piano in private, which is why DKE did it for ...And His Mother Called Him Bill. Perhaps it was held back from the ongoing Ellington repertoire because the two held it close for its personal meaning to them? Not out to engage in DKE-Strayhorn psychologizing, but I didn't realize until I encountered the 1947 Hodges original version again that the tune seems to go underground for the next 20 years. (Eddie Lambert and van de Leur's books list no other pre-1967 versions.) Anyway, any insights, information, or wild-ass speculation welcome!

Co-sign all of this and embarrassed that I forgot to mention Tucker's Ellington Reader in particular, which I consider essential for Ellingtonians. (Iirc Tucker also wrote the notes for Mosaic's Ellington Reprise box.) He's yet to appear in this thread, but I believe Joe Medjuck has.

Agree with HutchFan here on all counts and just wanted to toss another book rec into the thread--Harvey Cohen's Duke Ellington's America, which is a deep and well-researched dive that I reviewed for the Night Lights site not long after it was published. Oh, and for a book that deals primarily with Ellington's music, try to track down a copy of Eddie Lambert's Duke Ellington: A Listener's Guide, which goes for a pretty penny these days. It does look to be instantly available on Kindle at a high price. And then there's David Berger's ongoing project, which I haven't really kept tabs on since the appearance of that article several years ago.

A free Record Store Day Strata-East CD sampler:

My only RSD purchase, though I did grab a couple of the free Strata-East CD samplers—waiting for the CD versions of several releases that will follow in two weeks. But could I resist this LP-only compilation of Moodsville sides titled Night Lights? (I actually did a couple of Night Lights shows a gazillion years ago that focused on the Moodsville series, but I doubt that they served as inspiration for this 2025 Craft Records release)

I’m sure others here got the same email from Mosaic, but this set is on sale at $30 off for the next week.

This album, which came out just a little over a year ago, was a godsend for me. I’m a longtime fan of early Oasis (the first three albums and assorted b-sides, definitely the band’s “imperial phase,” as the saying goes) and the Stone Roses, so hearing Oasis frontman Liam Gallagher and Roses guitarist John Squire together is a joy.

Definitely on board for another set. Listening to disc 1 of the new piano box, which arrived yesterday, after starting with disc 3 last night (couldn’t resist beginning with Mel Powell).

Good sound on this brand-new compilation of Ellington's recordings for his own Mercer label.

No surprise that I've greatly enjoyed the Yankees' bombs-away start to their season. Their offense may prove to be better than expected in the wake of Juan Soto's departure, though that's highly dependent on some of the younger players realizing their potential at the plate (Volpe, Wells, Rice, Dominguez), Judge and Goldschmidt staying healthy, and Jazz continuing to thrive in his New York setting. The rotation is a whole 'nother story, and therein lies the bigger vulnerability. Past Rodon and Fries, it's pejorative-worthy at this point. Even with Gil's eventual (hopeful?) return by early summer, there'll be little to no depth for the inevitable injuries. I gather that Milwaukee's in a much worse position regarding the health of their rotation? It's taken me awhile to get into the spirit of the new season this year (for various reasons)...pretty much ignored spring training and have little sense of who's seen as strong in the AL this year, though I've noticed Baltimore and Boston namechecked the few times I've glanced at anything online. And of course the new evil empire in southern California is supposed to reign supreme in the NL and inevitably in the WS as well...and they may well do so, but first they have to actually do it. Anyway, thanks a lot, NY.

Huge fan of Cherry Red’s work in all genres and have just started digging into their new British Jazz 1966-72 set. Thanks for the heads-up on this release.

Taking this in while awaiting the new Vanguard piano Mosaic. Sure does make me miss our friend BillF.

discs 8 and 9

Up for James Moody's centennial today. Blues For Moody: A Musical Remembrance

Still working my way through this one, with V. 17 (Saba/MPS) yet to be opened, and my local store now hipping me to an imminent V. 18 Jazz Behind the Iron Curtain V 1 & 2 coming in early summer. Such a fantastic series and glad that it continues.

Also starting an Alan Furst novel for the first time in quite awhile.

Thanks, this is one I want to get to sooner rather than later.