Favorite COVER to an Ellington LP

[Rooster_Ties]

I have to admit that I don't really have lots of Ellington recordings (and none on LP), but I do love his music, and hold him in as high a regard as many other musicians who's catalogs I own quite a bit more of (Miles, Ornette, Andrew Hill, etc...).

But, I happen to have been lucky enough that my Mom got Duke's autograph when she was in college back in the 50's (long before I was ever born, in 1969). She was a part of the comittee that booked big bands to play at dances, and Ellington was one of four dance dates that the committee booked, at the University of Illinois, where she went to college back then.

She had him sign the back of her ticket, and a few years ago she had it framed for me, along with a short newspaper article about Ellington and his band "coming to town" for the concert (with a good picture of him in that same clipping, probably from his press kit at the time).

I've thought about trying to find two or three really interesting Ellington album covers, and framing them to hang on the wall as well, along with the autograph/newspaper-clipping.

So......

What are you favorite Ellington LP covers?? I'm sure there are more that I've never seen before (in any format), than those I have seen before.

[Rooster_Ties]

PS: It probably goes without saying, but if you could post pictures of the LP's to this thread, that'd be great!!! Links, or uploads - whatever works.

[Matthew]

Even though it's a shared billing, I always smile when I see this. By far my fav.

Edited September 24, 2003 by Matthew

[catesta]

I think I would agree with Matthews choice.

Two more for me which are also shared billing...

and

Edited September 24, 2003 by catesta

[mikeweil]

As far as I can remember this was the first Ellington record I bought, it made me love the man and his music and still moves me to tears, and its cover is without any superfluous ornament and right to the point, very appropriate for the giant that he was:

[jazzbo]

I have always liked this one, my Dad has it from the back in the day. . .

[jazzbo]

This one I like too. . . . Just like the sort of vibe from late forties/early fifties artwork. . . .

[jacknife]

I like this one just because I spent a lot of time staring at it trying to figure out if all the pictures are different. I'm thinking just the first and last are the same but maybe not.

[jlhoots]

Far East Suite

And His Mother Called Him Bill

[mikeweil]

The Fantasy cover for Ellington The Pianist is a great one, I like that too!

I also like the cover for the original 10" issue of the Liberian Suite on Columbia, but can't find a cover online.

[AfricaBrass]

While it may not be my favorite Ellington album, A Drum is a Woman on Columbia is my favorite cover. I wish I could find a picture of it.

:rsmile:

[brownie]

My favorite Duke Ellington album cover is the one that graced the RCA LP 'The Popular Duke Ellington' (can't find a picture). The man was swinging even on his cover album!

[jazzbo]

[brownie]

Lon, thanks for posting the 'Popular Duke Ellington' cover.

You're swinging too!

[closer250]

Hiya Rooster Ties!

These are my favorite Ellington album covers. I actually have an original of the first one with Mahalia Jackson that was "handed down" from my parents as well.

...and then, of course:

Peace, Cb

[jazzbo]

I THINK this may be the Liberian Suite cover. . . it is at least A Liberian Suite cover. . . .

[catesta]