DUKE ELLINGTON AND HIS ORCHESTRA – 1941 | The Classics Chronological Series – 851 (1995) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Duke Ellington's last recordings before Pearl Harbor are on this CD. The band's personnel remained remarkably consistent, except that Jimmy Blanton was forced into retirement by tuberculosis before the final four selections on this disc, unfortunately passing away the following year. Included on this set are sessions led by cornetist Rex Stewart, altoist Johnny Hodges, and clarinetist Barney Bigard, which include the initial recordings of "Subtle Slough" (soon renamed "Just Squeeze Me"), "Passion Flower," "Things Ain't What They Used to Be," and "C Jam Blues" (initially called "'C' Blues"). The big band selections are highlighted by "Rocks in My Bed," Billy Strayhorn's "Chelsea Bridge," and "Raincheck." This is classic music, whether acquired in this series or with the alternate takes on its American counterpart through RCA/Bluebird. Scott Yanow  Tracklist :