Personnel:
Duke Ellington (p), Johnny Hodges (as), with Harry 'Sweets' Edison, Roy Eldridge (tp), Lawrence Brown (tb), Ben Webster (ts), Billy Strayhorn (p), Les Span (g, fl), Al Hall, Wendel Marshall (b), Jo Jones (d)
Reference: EJC55459
Bar code: 8436028694594
This CD presents the complete original classic album "Side by Side" (tracks 1-9). With Ellington and Hodges as co-leaders, this was a continuation of Back to Back, and presented the extant tunes from that session, as well as another small group date featuring Hodges with Roy Eldridge, Ben Webster, Lawrence Brown and Billy Strayhorn.
Six tracks from Hodges' following session, presenting very similar personnel and format, have been added as a bonus.
Tracklisting:
01. Stompy Jones 6:41
02. Squeeze Me 4:38
03. Big Shoe 5:38
04. Going Up 4:54
05. Just A Memory 5:54
06. Let's Fall In Love 6:48
07. Ruint 2:34
08. Bend One 3:00
09. You Need To Rock 5:51
10. M.H.R. 5:59*
11. Three And Six 2:21*
12. Not So Dukish 7:53*
13. Central Park Swing 3:25*
14. Preacher Blues 8:24*
15. The Last Time I Saw Paris 2:55*
Total time: 77:00 min.
Tracks #1-9, from the 12" album
"Side by Side" (Verve MGV-8345)
(*) Bonus tracks not on the original albums
Personnel on tracks #1-2 & 4:
Duke Ellington (p), Johny Hodges (as), Hary 'Sweets' Edison (tp), Les Span (g, fl on 4), Al Hall (b), and Jo Jones (d).
Recorded in New York, on February 20, 1959
Personnel on tracks #3 & 5-9:
Johny Hodges (as), Roy Eldridge (tp), Lawrence Brown (tb), Ben Webster (ts), Bily Strayhorn (p), Wendel Marshal (b), and Jo Jones (d).
Recorded in New York, on August 14, 1958.
Personnel on tracks #10-15:
Johny Hodges (as), Roy Eldridge (tp, flhr, out on 13), Ray Nance (tp, out on 12), Lawrence Brown (tb), Ben Webster (ts), Jimmy Hamilton (cl, out on 11-12 & 14), Bily Strayhorn (p), Jimmy Wode (b), and Sam Wodyard (d). [Track 15 features Hodges with rhythm section only.]
Recorded in New York, on September 10, 1958
Original sessions supervised by Norman Granz
---------------------------------------------
Reviews:
"All nine tracks are exceptionally good."
Bruce Crowther -Jazz Journal
"A priority for purchase."
Peter Vacher -The Jazz Rag
"These are worthy additions to Ellington disciana. The best of the batch, Stompy Jones, is played with more deliberation than the Ellington band used on it almost 30 years ago. These are warm, satisfying performances."
John S. Wilson -Down Beat
"Topping off a wealth of full-band recordings, the various stars of Ellington's great outfit recorded many combo sides under their own names. And while not on the same sophisticated level of classic Ellingtonia, the late-'30s material cut by Johnny Hodges, Cootie Williams, and Rex Stewart is packed with tasty solo work and some of the finest examples of early small-group swing. These later examples from 1958-1959 feature Hodges backed by both Ellington and Billy Strayhorn on piano and such non-Duke luminaries as Ben Webster, Roy Eldridge, Harry "Sweets" Edison, and Jo Jones. Like its companion album, Back to Back, Side by Side has a loose, jam session feel, with all the soloists stretching out. Hodges is in top form throughout, while Edison and Webster man their spots just fine. Highlights include the sveltely swinging "Going Up" and Hodges' bluesy closer, "You Need to Rock." A must for fans of vintage combo swing."
Stephen Cook -All Music Guide
