This CD reissue from 1997 features
Duke Ellington and His Orchestra running through 11 of the leader's hits and a lesser-known blues tune, "The Twitch." The 1966 version of his big band still had all of its main stars, including such major voices as trumpeters
Cootie Williams and
Cat Anderson, trombonists
Lawrence Brown and
Buster Cooper, altoist
Johnny Hodges,
Paul Gonsalves on tenor, and clarinetist
Jimmy Hamilton. All are featured on
The Popular Duke Ellington. Since the material is all very familiar, and mostly quite concise (nothing over six minutes long, and a version of "Do Nothin' Till You Hear From Me" that is under two minutes), few surprises occur. But
Ellington fans will enjoy this well-played effort.