DUKE ELLINGTON AND HIS ORCHESTRA – 1938, Vol. 3 | The Classics Chronological Series – 726 (1993) FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

Duke Ellington's very busy year of 1938 resulted in enough music (counting small group dates led by his sidemen) to fill up more than three CDs. This disc has big-band dates plus outings headed by Cootie Williams and Johnny Hodges. Although 1939-1942 is often thought of as the peak of Ellington's career, his output from 1938 was very impressive too. Among the high points of the sessions on this CD (which feature such soloists as trumpeter Cootie Williams, cornetist Rex Stewart, trombonists Lawrence Brown and Tricky Sam Nanton, altoist Johnny Hodges, clarinetist Barney Bigard, baritonist Harry Carney, and Duke on piano) are "Love in Swingtime," "Prelude to a Kiss," "The Jeep Is Jumpin'," "Mighty Like the Blues," "Battle of Swing," and "Hodge Podge." Scott Yanow          Tracklist :

DUKE ELLINGTON AND HIS ORCHESTRA – 1938-1939 | The Classics Chronological Series – 747 (1994) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

The 1938-1939 Duke Ellington Orchestra, even before bassist Jimmy Blanton and tenor saxophonist Ben Webster became members, was quite a strong band, having at least eight major soloists. With Ellington providing constant new material plus rearrangements of older tunes, there was a limitless amount of high quality music flowing from this band. On this CD, there are eight numbers from the small group of Cootie Williams, four from Johnny Hodges, and three by Rex Stewart in addition to eight big-band performances. Among the many gems are "Old King Dooji," Rex Stewart's famous feature on "Boy Meets Horn," "Slap Happy," "Dooji Wooji," "Pussy Willow," "Subtle Lament," and a pair of Duke Ellington piano solos. Scott Yanow         Tracklist + Credits :

DUKE ELLINGTON AND HIS ORCHESTRA – 1939 | The Classics Chronological Series – 765 (1994) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

The 1939 Duke Ellington Orchestra was a mighty force, with eight major soloists and a genius as their leader. Billy Strayhorn first worked with Ellington during this period and on this CD he contributes "Something to Live For" (which is surprisingly sung by Jean Eldridge rather than the band's regular vocalist, Ivie Anderson). This disc has ten selections from the full orchestra, eight from small groups led by altoist Johnny Hodges, two from clarinetist Barney Bigard's combo, and two vocal features for the Quintones. Highlights include "Rent Party Blues," "Portrait of the Lion" (Ellington's tribute to his idol, Willie "The Lion" Smith), a remake of "Cotton Club Stomp," and "Serenade to Sweden." Scott Yanow       Tracklist :

PUTNEY DANDRIDGE AND HIS ORCHESTRA – 1936 | The Classics Chronological Series – 869 (1996) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Tracklist
1     It's a Sin to Tell a Lie 2:52
Billy Mayhew
2     All My Life 3:11
Sidney Mitchell / Sam H. Stept
3     Ol' Man River 2:48
Oscar Hammerstein II / Jerome Kern
4     Why Was I Born? 2:50
Oscar Hammerstein II / Jerome Kern
5     These Foolish Things 2:25
Harry Link / Holt Marvell / Jack Strachey
6     Cross Patch 2:40
Vee Lawnhurst / Tot Seymour
7     A Star Fell Out of Heaven 2:36
Mack Gordon / Harry Revel
8     Mary Had a Little Lamb 2:45
Matty Malneck / Marty Symes
9     Here Comes Your Pappy 2:36
Harry Tobias
10     If We Never Meet Again 2:40
Louis Armstrong / Horace Gerlach
11     Sing Baby Sing 2:24
Channing Pollack / Jack Yellen
12     You Turned the Tables on Me 2:38
Louis Alter / Sidney Mitchell
13     It's the Gypsy in Me 2:39
Harry Tobias
14     When a Lady Meets a Gentleman Down South 2:38
Michael Cleary / Jacques Krakeur III / David Oppenheim
15     A High Hat, a Piccolo and a Cane 2:28
Harry Akst / Lew Brown / Sammy Fain
16     Easy to Love 2:41
Cole Porter
17     You Do the Darn'dest Things, Baby 2:41
Sidney Mitchell / Channing Pollack
18     The Skeleton in the Closet 2:33
Johnny Burke / Arthur Johnston
19     I'm in a Dancing Mood 2:46
Al Goodhart / Al Hoffman / Maurice Sigler
20     With Plenty of Money and You 2:29
Al Dubin / Harry Warren
21     That Foolish Feeling 2:28
Harold Adamson / Jimmy McHugh
2     Gee! But You're Swell 2:32
Harry Tobias