Worst Duke Ellington Salute of All Time?

[Ken Dryden]

In 2005, I wrote an April Fool's piece of a nonexistent CD, Michael Bolton Sings the Duke Ellington Songbook.

But I learned today of a real tribute album that is supposed to be the pitts:

 

Has anyone heard it? How long did you listen before you threw in the towel?

[Chuck Nessa]

Don't know it but if you haven't heard it, why shame him?

[Stompin at the Savoy]

The arrangement is kind of cheesy but he has a good voice.

Edited September 8, 2024 by Stompin at the Savoy

[gmonahan]

Sounds ok to me, I mean, for that 60s pop kind of style.

Edited September 8, 2024 by gmonahan

[JSngry]

The 1974 prime time CBS tribute special. Duke was still alive and in the house, and he had to listen to Chicago cover "Jump For Joy". That was the level of that one.

Otoh, CBS did and absolutely beautiful "night of" coverage when he died.

[Rabshakeh]

17 hours ago, Ken Dryden said:

But I learned today of a real tribute album that is supposed to be the pitts:

Why is it supposed to be bad?

It seems not great but not terrible. 

[medjuck]

This is why you should never repeat  other people's opinions about art till you've experiences it yourself.  I used to go crazy listening to opinions about movies from people who hadn't seen them but had read Pauline Kael's or the NYTimes" review. 

1 hour ago, JSngry said:

The 1974 prime time CBS tribute special. Duke was still alive and in the house, and he had to listen to Chicago cover "Jump For Joy". That was the level of that one.

Otoh, CBS did and absolutely beautiful "night of" coverage when he died.

Is that online? (the night of coverage) 

[JSngry]

No idea. If the tape has survived my closet, I home-taped it on a reel-to-reel. I can't have been the only one...

Another CBS plus - a 1973(?) Thanksgiving Day(?) special of the Alvin Ailey troupe doing a program of Ellington.

[JSngry]

Mr. Dumont hired some good players for this record:

[ghost of miles]

1 hour ago, JSngry said:

No idea. If the tape has survived my closet, I home-taped it on a reel-to-reel. I can't have been the only one...

Another CBS plus - a 1973(?) Thanksgiving Day(?) special of the Alvin Ailey troupe doing a program of Ellington.

I came across the Chicago performance a few years ago on YouTube:

 

Looks like somebody uploaded the entire show:

 

[JSngry]

Maybe that sounds good to the kids today?

It's not that it's bad, it's just...insulting. Deeply insulting.

Then again, Chicago began to piss me off pretty early on.

[danasgoodstuff]

Category:Duke Ellington tribute albums - Wikipedia take your pick, from this list and more, I'm sure there's something to fit everyone's idea of the worst Ellington salute.  So why dump on this guy?

[gmonahan]

On 9/8/2024 at 4:45 PM, ghost of miles said:

I came across the Chicago performance a few years ago on YouTube:

 

Looks like somebody uploaded the entire show:

 

I remember watching that! Aretha singing a little of "Love you Madly" was fun.