DUKE ELLINGTON AND HIS ORCHESTRA – 1942-1944 | The Classics Chronological Series – 867 (1996) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

The first 13 selections on this CD complete the reissue of the studio recordings of the classic 1939-1942 Duke Ellington & His Orchestra. Among the more notable selections are "Perdido," "The 'C' Jam Blues," "What Am I Here For," "Main Stem," and "Johnny Come Lately." The other nine numbers are much rarer than those Victor records, for they are V-discs cut during the recording strike of 1942-1944, primarily remakes of earlier Ellington hits. Although not quite essential (the Victors are easily available domestically), this set nevertheless has plenty of memorable performances by Ellington's World War II band. Scott Yanow   Tracklist :