Big BandDuke Ellington - The Cosmic Scene (MCD-1001)
Mosaic Singles
|
"Put simply, the nonet is tighter than Woodyard's drum heads." - Cam MIller, The American Rag |
The whimsical title for this 1958 Ellington album comes from the launch of the first American satellite, not an intention to head in Sun Ra's direction. What makes this small group session unique is that it has a big sound to it. It features three soloists: Clark Terry on fluegelhorn, Paul Gonsalves on tenor sax and Jimmy Hamilton on clarinet. The rhythm section is Ellington, Jimmy Woode and Sam Woodyard. The larger ensemble feel is derived from adding Ellington's three trombonists in a strictly supportive, arranged role.
The repertoire is equal parts Ellingtonia and outside material. Arrangers Ellington and Hamilton fashion their own fresh, unique approach to classic material like Avalon and Ralph Burns' Early Autumn. The Ellington material ranges from Take The A Train and a boppish reworking of Perdido to new compositions like Jones and Spacemen. With the advent of the LP, the occasional Ellington small group session gave deserving soloists the room to stretch out. And none were more deserving in the 1958 band than Hamilton, Gonsalves and Terry, all of whom acquit themselves with remarkably consistent excellence throughout. Special mention must go to Paul Gonsalves' astonishing workout on Body And Soul, rivaled perhaps only by the famous Coleman Hawkins and Serge Chaloff versions. This version begins with a beautiful ballad statement, follow by three blistering choruses of invention during which the tenor man's ideas seem to snowball from one into the next, quoting Drumboogie, Peanut Vendor, Raymond Scott's Powerhouse and Hail To The Queen along the way. We've also included the previously unissued first take of this tune as well with a very different interpretation of the melody on the first chorus and another great solo.
Taped amid a flurry of extensive and important recording activity by the full orchestra in 1958-59, The Cosmic Scene was released only in monaural and received with little notice. For this long overdue reissue, we returned to the three-track masters, beautifully recorded at Columbia's legendary 30th Street Studio by Fred Plaut to construct a stereo master of the album plus alternate takes of Jones, issued at the time as a single and Body And Soul.
Read More About Duke Ellington:
Track Listing, Personnel & Recording Dates »
Click here to write a review
 |
Helen Ward 1953 songs |
| To the reviewer who cites the Helen Ward recordings of 1953....3 or 4 of those ARE available on the disc that features charts written by Fletcher Henderson (Helen's sides) and Eddie Sauter. The Mosiac set, of course, is still your only source for the expansive Goodman on Columbia/Okeh...and it's the BEST! Swingmandoug | |
|
Mosaic Needs More Avant- Jazz Like This |
| To the person three down from mine, I think I can speak for quite a few jazz fans when I say that "music sound[ing] as if it is being read off the sheet for the first time", to use your words, is actually the whole point and highly desirable. I admit to being a little disappointed at first, but can't explain why now. I love (!) this set. I've been a Hill fan for several years and this is up there with my favs. Thank you Mr. Hill - R.I.P. brother. | |
|
Quibbles |
| All these little quibbles are annoying. If you don't like the liner notes don't read them. Somebody had to make some decisions about what tracks to include and what to exclude. Grow up, get a life, and quit whining because someone didn't read your mind, wave a wand, and grant all your wishes as true. The music and the sound quality are incredible! | |
|
A Cornerstone |
| This set was my first purchase from Mosaic in December of 2009. I'd heard about Mosaic's reputation and penchant for exceptional re-mastering of quality music. Jazz fans marvel at the sturdy boxes, the simple yet handsome booklets which accompany the set and provide a wealth on information, etc. etc. This set delivers in all of these departments. Gary Giddins' notes on Crosby are a great read and concise. And then there's the music itself: the most relaxed and free that I've ever heard Crosby. Let's put it this way: I used to write him off as a main influence of Sinatra (my deity, who is himself deserving of the Mosaic treatment), but far too old fashioned. Listening to his gentle yet playful swinging backed by trio or quartet, and I finally understand the master that was Der Bingle. A must buy. | |
|
Beautiful except for lack of Helen Forrest vocals! |
| Firstly, I have to admit that this set is the cleanest, clearest reproduction of Artie Shaw's Victor recordings. But I'm lost as to why Helen forrest vocals weren't included. There is a stamp of the jazz fraternity's dislike of vocals on recorded performances, yet Tony Pastor's vocals are included. Why? Is it politically incorrect to include a certain type of vocalist? Don't you realize that all of Artie Shaw's Victor recordings should be preserved? Mr. Shaw conducted a dance band, after all. i'm one, born in 1946, who learned about Artie shaw from my Dad, who told me how the vocalists added to the pleasure of the Swing Bands. Mosaic could have added two more CDs and given us the Complete Artie Shaw on Victor. As one other reviewer commented, he would have to keep his old reissues for Helen Forrest vocals. I'll do the same! Otherwise, this is a great set. | |
|
|
|
I can't believe I forgot how great Chu was |
| I've heard most of this stuff before. You probably have too. (And if you didn't - well here's your chance.) But put it all together and I'm telling you - I'm only on the second disk and I'm in TEARS! The head arrangement of Stealin' Apples is a marvel - Chu, Roy and Buster Bailey all in one neat three minute package. And that's just ONE of the tracks! Chu Berry was a phenomenon and the story is only more enticing when you think of how short his career was. Try to think what the world might have been like, say, if Benny Carter had left the music world in 1941, or if Dizzy Gillespie had decided to become a dentist. We'll never know what might have been had Chu survived that car accident, but you can have a glimpse of what was and what might have been for a bit more than a C-note. Do it NOW! | |
|
Not just for completists! |
| I already owned Columbia's "The Duke's Men," Vols. 1 & 2, but the Mosaic remastering is, no surprise, an enormous improvement, while the alternate takes, absent from the Columbia CDs, are for the most part a pleasure to hear back to back with the issued takes. The singers, of course, are a mixed bag, but I disagree with some of the comments posted here which suggest these tracks are not even worth listening to for the music. On the contrary, the vocals usually go by in a breeze, leaving plenty of room for good solos from Cootie and Hodges. The female singers are the real strength of this group, and while someone like Mary McHugh can sometimes be a bit perfunctory, her delivery is far better than Helen Oakley's comments (in her notes for Columiba) suggest, and you also have Ivie Anderson & Jerry Kruger, who are always excellent even when contending with less than memorable lyrics. On the other hand, the male vocalists haven't aged as well. Buddy Clark (6 tracks including alternates) wears out his welcome very quickly, as does Scat Powell on "Sharpy." But "Peckin'" with Cootie Williams & his band adding vocals, is pretty annoying, and falls somewhere between a novelty tune still in its larva state, and the band on an off-day; the two alternates contribute nothing. The worst though, are a couple of cutesy numbers from the Quintones, backed by Barney Bigard & His Orchestra; even the Ellingtonians can't rescue this dreck. As far as presentation, my only real complaint is Steve Lasker's notes. Maybe my expectations were too high, but he doesn't really bring much to the table that's new; in addition some of his session notes feel tired and/or a little sketchy. For those hoping to be overwhelmed (in the good sense) with information, it's a distinct letdown, but of course the music is the thing, and Mosaic comes through wonderfully. One last comment: the reviewer who said that 2 Rex Stewart tracks are missing is incorrect. They were recorded in 1934, just before he joined Ellington (as explained by Oakley in her notes). Other than Billy Taylor, none of the other players were connected with Duke. Whether or not the tracks were available to Mosaic, they are outside the scope of the present set. | |
|
Good |
| I discovered boogie woogie by listening the records (CD) of swiss pianist Silvan Zingg. This CD collection completes my collection with historical memories. | |
|
Essential Music on Good Vinyl |
| The booklet is a bit lacking but the music is essential Monk. The pressings are quiet and well-done. I can listen to these records endlessly. Another great boxset. | |
|
Got it... finally |
| I just rec'd the set today, after longing for it since its release. It is not cheap to be sure, but I feel that it is worth every penny. I am blown away. The sound is crystal clear and the compositions are so complex and yet beautiful that I know this will be something I will listen to forever, as it will never become boring or "old". I am amazed at the creative power of Mr. Braxton. Many reviews speak of the music being timeless and I couldn't agree more. The booklet is also fantastic, although I have not read all of it yet. Excellent photos as well. Just another example of a brilliant Mosaic Box Set. | |
|
|
|
Great variety of Swing! |
| I had to order this set after hearing the sample of "Ring Dem Bells" with Johnny Hodges sounding great on the snippet. Well, I received the set today and am VERY impressed with the sound quality, the sidemen are GREAT! Johnny Hodges had SERIOUS chops back then, Benny Carter is, in my opinon, better than he was in the 50s-60s when he adopted bebop into his playing. Don't let Hamps vocals get in the way of you getting this set, they aren't that bad and the soloists make the vocals worth listening to the tracks. Anyway, I would highly suggest this set. | |
|
A Gem |
| I've been purchasing Mosaic sets since the 90s and this is among my top five. Tyner's vision comes into focus on these sessions--powerful piano, extended modal songs, Eastern influences, and beautiful melodies. Remastering is top-notch as are the sidemen throughout. | |
|
A Favorite |
| I have a number of Mosaic sets (I've been a customer since the 90s) and I place this set among my top 5 favorites. Tyner's musical vision really comes into focus on these sessions--extended modal songs, amazing & powerful piano, some Eastern influences, and beautiful melodies. Wonderful sound and remastering along with all-star line-ups complete the picture. A real beauty! | |
|
Great Big Band Jazz |
| Just received this boxed set yesterday, and the music is highly creative with GREAT remastering. I've wanted this set for a long time, great sidemen and tunes. But the sound samples Mosaic provides on the website are not very representative of what you get in the set. The real thing is MUCH BETTER!!!. I guess there is nothing like sitting down with the tunes cranked while reading the wonderful booklet. Great Job on this one. Sidenote: I'm wondering why there are so few reviews, because the set that I got was numbered 2,500+...? | |
|
Great Big Band Jazz |
| Great Big Band Jazz Just received this boxed set yesterday, and the music is highly creative with GREAT remastering. I've wanted this set for a long time, great sidemen and tunes. But the sound samples Mosaic provides on the website are not very representative of what you get in the set. The real thing is MUCH BETTER!!!. I guess there is nothing like sitting down with the tunes cranked while reading the wonderful booklet. Great Job on this one. Sidenote: I'm wondering why there are so few reviews, because the set that I got was numbered 2,500+...? | |
|
Great Big Band Jazz |
| Great Big Band Jazz Just received this boxed set yesterday, and the music is highly creative with GREAT remastering. I've wanted this set for a long time, great sidemen and tunes. But the sound samples Mosaic provides on the website are not very representative of what you get in the set. The real thing is MUCH BETTER!!!. I guess there is nothing like sitting down with the tunes cranked while reading the wonderful booklet. Great Job on this one. Sidenote: I'm wondering why there are so few reviews, because the set that I got was numbered 2,500+...? | |
|
Ignore the last three reviews, should have been for Quincy Jones |
| please remove the three most recent reviews. I meant to review the Quincy Jones set, but all three times it sent my review here... | |
|
Brilliant |
| Johnny Smith is a unique and wonderfully talented player who inspired and influenced the greats that came after him. This is a comprehensive collection that truly showcases his phenomenal talent. It is a must have for jazz guitar fans. | |
|
Worth the long wait |
| This extraordinary body of work was out of print for much too long, and once Mosaic had access to the Arista catalog, it probably was inevitable that these still-amazing recordings, produced in the 1970s by Michael Cuscuna, should be made available. (I was one of the "many fans" who suggested the set.) These are the recordings that introduced so many of us to Braxton's genius, and as a discrete body of work, the Arista recordings are by any standard an astonishing achievement in breadth and depth. Thank Barry Manilow for subsidizing this stuff, and thank Mosaic for bringing back those fabulous '70s. (And if you don't know these records already, you should. They may be nostalgia fodder for some of us, but they are also as timeless as anything Mosaic offers.) | |
|
Smokin' small band! |
| What creativity the Ellingtonians had here! Body and Soul left me speechless and out of breath. Probably one of Gonsalves' best efforts. Sam Woodyard swings soooo hard, choppin' away! Clark Terry is wonderful as is Jimmy Hamilton. The trombones add wonderful color and fullness to the band. The recording sounds great thanks to the experts at Mosaic! Don't think twice about ordering this one, superb sound!!!!! Keep releasing more singles Mosaic! | |
|
Blown away by Gonsalves - but an error in the written notes! |
| Like everyone else, I was really blown away by Paul Gonsalves' playing in both takes of "Body and Soul". I did want to point out one error in Scott Wenzel's notes: in both takes, Gonsalves quotes Raymond Scott's "The Toy Trumpet," and not "Powerhouse" (unless I missed it with all the rapid-fire playing). Also take note that he quotes "La Marseillaise" in the published take, and "Columbia Gem of the Ocean" in the alternate take. If Charles Ives had been into jazz, he would have done the same thing! | |
 |
Paul Gonsalves: Who Knew? |
| I'm sure the answer is lots of people, but not me. Paul's reading of 'Body and Soul' is brilliant. I play this record more than any other Ellington I own. | |
|
Long overdue is right...! |
| Thank God this is finally seeing the light of day. I've been searching for this album for years. And it sounds amazing! Mosaic has done it again. One of Ellington's finest recordings made available again. Thank you! | |
|
Another Side of Ellington |
| When I think of the Duke, I think of the Blanton/Webster Recordings, the OKEH recordings and standard sidemen like Johnny Hodges. Duke seemed to experiment more in his later years and these recordings are a product of that innovation. I like the different approach to Take the A Train - reminds of the creative version on the set of Ellington's Reprise Recordings, also by Mosaic. Keep the Duke sets coming! | |
|
A unknown classic; absolutley fantastic |
| First off, the remastering for cd is stunning; it sounds better than most records made today. Ellington made WAY WAY to many great records, so today many are confused or overwhelmed by his genius. For those who are patient and interested enough to collect him music, it is truly incredible to be getting my 40th of so 5 star Ellington cd. This small group plays some great arrangements of standards and originals. Paul Gonsalves's reading of "Body & Soul" is easily the best solo I have ever heard from him, and one of the best tenor solos, Ive heard in general. And what kind of rythm is being used for "St. Louis Blues"? Its so completly unique and unlike anything the "new wave" of jazz artist at the time would have ever thunk of. | |
|
Duke Ellingtpn's Spacemen The Cosmic Scene |
| This was the first jazz album I ever heard as a little kid. I took my dad's vinyl copy to college with me and someone took it. Many years later I am so happy to find it again...especially in stereo. This is truly a rediscovered treasure. Evidently Paul Gonsalves wasn't sleeping on the bandstand during this session. Great stuff! | |
|
Absolutely Fantastic |
| Great record, beautiful sound, tons of swing!! Does anybody need anything else? Another great Mosaic record! | |
|
Done right |
| I have the original lp of this session, short, sweet and mono, and was glad that Mosaic decided to step in and bring out the first U.S. cd reissue. They've done a great job! The remastered sound by Mark Wilder is right up there with his usual clear and crisp work. There are original notes and new liners by Mosaic's Scott Wenzel. This is a fun and swinging session that is sure to please fans of Duke's 'fifties Columbia period. | |
Duke Ellington - The Cosmic Scene (MCD-1001)
Limited Edition: copies
1 CD - $15.00
