Daydream: Best of the Duke Ellington Songbook (CD - 1995)

Personnel: Ella Fitzgerald (vocals); Russell Procope (alto saxophone, clarinet); Johnny Hodges (alto saxophone); Jimmy Hamilton (tenor saxophone, clarinet); Frank Foster, Paul Gonsalves, Ben Webster (tenor saxophone); Harry Carney (baritone saxophone, bass clarinet, clarinet); Cat Anderson, Shorty Baker, Willie Cook, Dizzy Gillespie, Ray Nance, Clark Terry (trumpet); Quentin Jackson, John Sanders, Britt Woodman (trombone); Stuff Smith (vibraphone); Duke Ellington, Billy Strayhorn, Oscar Peterson (piano); Herb Ellis, Barney Kessel (guitar); Jimmy Woode, Ray Brown, Joe Mondragon (bass); Sam Woodyard (drums).

Recorded at Fine Sound, New York; Radio Recorders and Capitol Studios, Hollywood, California in 1956 and 1957. Includes liner notes by Patricia Willard.

Personnel: Ella Fitzgerald (vocals).

Recording information: Capitol Studios, Hollywood, CA (09/04/1956-10/17/1957); Fine Sound, New York, NY (09/04/1956-10/17/1957); Radio Recorders, Hollywood, CA (09/04/1956-10/17/1957).

Ella Fitzgerald's SONGBOOK albums from the mid-'50s are among the most famous records in jazz history, and although she recorded albums dedicated to a number of fine songwriters, from Cole Porter to Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart, it's her tribute to Duke Ellington and his musical partner Billy Strayhorn that's the pinnacle. Backed by the Duke Ellington Orchestra--then at the peak of its powers--and produced by the legendary Norman Granz, Fitzgerald recorded two full volumes of Ellington-Strayhorn compositions, from early standards like "Take the 'A' Train" to the brand-new "The E and D Blues." Many of Fitzgerald's renditions of these tunes are simply definitive. Though this 70-minute compilation is a generous sampler especially suited for neophytes, more zealous fans--either of Ellington or of Fitzgerald--will only be happy with the complete works. minimize