How rare and wonderful! Duke and a slightly reduced band -- playing a dance gig! And the only Ellington composition on the playlist is Satin Doll. Since the Duke had no problem making Tchaikovsky his own, it should not surprise his and Strayhorn's takes on a treefull of old chestnuts, will make you "love them madly." As a live recording, fewer technical tricks were possible than in the studio. This, and the reduced band, makes the sound, perfectly transferred by HDTT, gloriously natural. Listen (or better yet, dance) to this with a bottle of the best Champagne you can afford.

is there a duke recording that ain't worth 5 stars> i haven't found it and i include his lo fi of the 1930s.

Not one of Ellington's best known but being live it doesn't matter. Some fine playing of tunes off the beaten path

This is a wonderful live Duke Ellington performance!