The Far East Suite

Amazon.com essential recording
Much of Duke Ellington's work is tough to get your head around, but perhaps none more so than this ambitious and appropriately exotic 1966 recording. Inspired by a 1963 State Department tour of the Middle East and a subsequent visit to Japan, this Ellington-Billy Strayhorn collaboration deftly blends not only the music of the East but the mindset of the East with established jazz concepts. "Tourist Point of View" is an unsettled number handled cautiously by tenor Paul Gonsalves. Alto Johnny Hodges dances gingerly and exquisitely on eggshells during the beautiful "Isfahan" (first take!) before crushing those eggshells on "Blue Pepper," one of the Duke's funkiest cuts ever. Jimmy Hamilton's whirling clarinet leads the sprite dance number "Depk," while Harry Carney's stately baritone distinguishes "Agra." The urgent "Amad" is fueled by Ellington's forceful keyboard statements before "Ad Lib on Nippon" offers Duke the rare opportunity to stretch out. The four alternate takes and absolutely sterling remix make the CD reissue an inspired musical and sonic package. --Marc Greilsamer

The Far East Suite,Duke Ellington,RCA,Big Band,Jazz,Jazz Music,Orchestral Jazz,Pop,Progressive Big Band,Swing

Average customer rating: Jonny Quest jazz Ellington & Strayhorn at their very best Spicy and Fun Sublime A Late Duke Ellington Masterpiece

Far East Suite Duke Ellington Manufacturer: RCA ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Jazz | Styles | Music Swing General | Swing Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music Classic Big Band | Swing Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music Contemporary Big Band | Swing Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music Orchestral Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music Similar Items: Latin American Suite Such Sweet Thunder The Afro-Eurasian Eclipse Brilliant Corners New Orleans Suite ASIN: B0000C8AOZ Release Date: 2003-10-07

Tracks:

1. Tourist Point of View
2. Bluebird of Delhi (Mynah)
3. Isfahan
4. Depk
5. Mount Harissa
6. Blue Pepper (Far East of the Blues)
7. Agra
8. Amad
9. Ad Lib on Nippon
10. Tourist Point of View [Alternate Take][#][*]
11. Amad [Alternate Take][#][*]
12. Bluebird of Delhi (Mynah) [Alternate Take][*]
13. Bluebird of Delhi (Mynah) [Alternate Take][#][*]
14. Isfahan [Alternate Take][*]
15. Depk [Alternate Take][#][*]
16. Mount Harissa [Alternate Take][#][*]

Album Description

By 1966 when Far East Suite was released, Duke Ellington was an international celebrity. As such, He led several U.S. State Department cultural exchange tours, including trips to places like Japan, India and Iran. Ellington's experiences from those trips became the basis for one of most memorable albums. Features 16 remastered tracks including 7 bonus tracks, 'Tourists Point Of View' (unissued alt. take), 'Amad' (unissued alt. take), 'Bluebird Of Delhi (Mynah)' (previously issued alt. take), 'Bluebird Of Delhi (Mynah)' (unissued alt. take), Isfahan' (previously issued alt. take), 'Depk' (unissued alt. take) & 'Mount Harrison' (unissued alt. take). Packaged in digipak format featuring original cover art & session photographs as well as original & newly commissioned liner notes. Bluebird. 2003.

Customer Reviews:

Jonny Quest jazz.......2007-06-23

There's something about this album, especially the opening track that always reminds me of the theme to the old Jonny Quest cartoon. They both try to invoke a sense of adventure and exoticism inspired by far off, and mysterious lands. Granted, comparing Duke Ellington's version to an old cartoon theme is perhaps a bit trite. This is after all one of the finest composers the world has ever seen. And the material here is clear evidence of his right to that stature. There is a subtlety and sexuality that underpins that feeling of adventure and exoticism, especially in a track like Isfahan. But there's also a playful side to this album in a song like Bluebird of Delhi which always conjures the image of a camel conversing with a fliting bird or the hard kick of Blue Pepper. In short this is Duke being Duke in all his greatness, having a whole lot of fun doing it, and expressing it in every note

Ellington & Strayhorn at their very best.......2007-03-19

The Far East Suite I first heard on Dutch radio, back in '67 or '68. The album has been with me for all this time, and every new cd edition seems to improve on the last. This edition caps them all. The sound quality has never been that good. To my ears, it matches the impeccable Japanese LP pressing made 25 or so years ago. This is classical music: it gets better over time, and it was already fantastic when it came out. Just listen to Isfahan, Agra and Ad Lib on Nippon, and you'll understand what made this big band the very best that ever existed. Hats off to RCA for this new and great reissue.

Spicy and Fun.......2007-01-03

Particularly "Ad Lib on Nippon." I could listen to that piece all day. It's delightfully dynamic and hedonistic.
It's a travesty that the Duke didn't win the Pulitzer for music.

Sublime.......2006-10-05

As a classically trained clarinetist, I hate jazz clarinet, as a rule. But I have to make an exception in Jimmy Hamilton's case on Bluebird of Delhi. His sound is brilliant, mature and confident, and his technique is outstanding. He gives the clarinet a good name - in 1966 of all times. That piece is a highlight in a disc full of highlights.

Far East Suite is delightful from start to finish. Forty years later a lot of it sounds like spy music - maybe James Bond theme music, or maybe Las Vegas lounge style - but that's not a bad thing! Tourist Point of View is laid back, showcasing Paul Gonsalves' amazing tenor sax, tasteful as always.

The world class sax work from Gonsalves and Johnny Hodges continues throughout, but in my eyes Harry Carney deserves special notice. From personal experience I can say that it's hard to make a bari sax sound good, much less sweet or sexy. But Carney does all the above, particularly in track 7, Agra. It is a concerto for bari sax that might change your mind about what the instrument can do.

But then Agra leads into Amad, which is so rhythmically compelling it's hard to sit still listening to it. It is a sinuous fluid demonstration of the Duke's ideas of a rhythm section composed of every instrument in his band - with a typically assertive piano line. Lawrence Brown's trombone shines.

Ad Lib on Nippon is tour de force, and contains some absolutely top shelf clarinet work at the end, amongst its other charms.

The seven bonus tracks on this disc are noteworthy. I've listened to the two bonus Bluebirds more than the others. While I can agree with the original choice, the other two are still great. I think Hamilton was a little off his game on track 12, but track 13 is technically excellent. The Duke chose a bit slower tempo though, and Hamilton was perfect, but less adventurous than in the cut which made the final album. Everyone loves to hear the artists perform, but it's also great to listen to them at work, and these bonus tracks are just that.

And for the trumpet fans, there are brains all over the bandstand in this disc, because these guys blow their heads off repeatedly. I'm pretty sure they played some notes that weren't even invented in 1966.

A Late Duke Ellington Masterpiece.......2006-02-03

This review is an excerpt from my "So You'd Like To..." guide called, "Explore the Music of Duke Ellington: Part I." Out of the three remastered versions of The Far East Suite (not counting the sonically identical imports) available, this version is the one to get.

After the U.S. State Department tour of the Middle East in 1963 and a visit to Japan in the following year, Duke Ellington and his lifelong collaborator and co-composer, Billy Strayhorn, were inspired by the journey and wrote Impressions of the Far East, later added to and renamed, The Far East Suite. The tense opening movement, "Tourist Point of View," is a great example of Duke Ellington's genius at using his orchestra to musically illustrate pictorial experiences in the most illumilating and understandable presentation. In this movement, Duke Ellington captures the experience of a bewildered traveler in an exotic land. The rhythm section of Rufus Jones' drums and John Lamb's bass expresses the traveler's overwhelmed senses. Without a moment's rest, all of his senses are bombarded with the exotic and the strange as Rufus Jones rides the cymbal at blazing speed and John Lamb relentlessly plucks away on a mysterious current. The rhythm section alone makes for a fascinating listen. While the orchestra as a whole twists mood, the soloists swirl madly as the unfamiliar scent in the air, the ancient city in sight, the aftertaste of foreign food, and the buzzing dialect of the surrounding natives. "Tourist Point of View" is a masterpiece. Jimmy Hamilton's prowess on the clarinet is remarkable, and he is the featured soloist on the frenzying "Bluebird of Delhi" and the concerto-like "Ad Lib on Nippon." Arguably Duke Ellington's best work of the 60's, The Far East Suite is simply not to be missed in the Duke Ellington canon.

Average customer rating: Modernist Ellington A Late Duke Ellington Masterpiece Typical Ellington, just classy and fun . Great music even if you don't like jazz

The Far East Suite Special Mix Duke Ellington Manufacturer: RCA ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Jazz | Styles | Music Swing General | Swing Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music Classic Big Band | Swing Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music Contemporary Big Band | Swing Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music Orchestral Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music Similar Items: Latin American Suite New Orleans Suite The Afro-Eurasian Eclipse Black, Brown and Beige Piano Reflections ASIN: B000002WSK Release Date: 1995-03-28

Tracks:

1. Tourist Point Of View
2. Bluebird Of Delhi (Mynah)
3. Isfahan
4. Depk
5. Mount Harissa
6. Blue Pepper (Far East Of The Blues)
7. Agra
8. Amad
9. Ad Lib On Nippon
10. Tourist Point Of View (Alternate Take)
11. Bluebird Of DelhiI (Alternate Take)
12. Isfahan (Alternate Take)
13. Amad (Alternate Take)

Amazon.com essential recording

Much of Duke Ellington's work is tough to get your head around, but perhaps none more so than this ambitious and appropriately exotic 1966 recording. Inspired by a 1963 State Department tour of the Middle East and a subsequent visit to Japan, this Ellington-Billy Strayhorn collaboration deftly blends not only the music of the East but the mindset of the East with established jazz concepts. "Tourist Point of View" is an unsettled number handled cautiously by tenor Paul Gonsalves. Alto Johnny Hodges dances gingerly and exquisitely on eggshells during the beautiful "Isfahan" (first take!) before crushing those eggshells on "Blue Pepper," one of the Duke's funkiest cuts ever. Jimmy Hamilton's whirling clarinet leads the sprite dance number "Depk," while Harry Carney's stately baritone distinguishes "Agra." The urgent "Amad" is fueled by Ellington's forceful keyboard statements before "Ad Lib on Nippon" offers Duke the rare opportunity to stretch out. The four alternate takes and absolutely sterling remix make the CD reissue an inspired musical and sonic package. --Marc Greilsamer

Customer Reviews:

Modernist Ellington.......2006-12-25

This "programe" is a wonderful introduction to Ellington's modernist music, as opposed to his 30s and 40s swing. In the case of "Far East Suite", both Ellington and Strayhorn take a decidedly Eastern and exotic path to achieve musical perfection. The execution of this "Orientalist's dream" is a tour de force. As always, Ellington stretches the abilities of his band to sublime artistic heights. The members of the orchestra are in top form. The CD is "beyond category"- a crowning achievement in both Ellington's and Strayhorn's long and fruitful careers. It is a crime against nature that this release is no longer available!

A Late Duke Ellington Masterpiece.......2006-02-03

This review is an excerpt from my "So You'd Like To..." guide called, "Explore the Music of Duke Ellington: Part I." The only thing I'd like to add is that you should purchase the superiorly remastered Bluebird Edition of The Far East Suite.

After the U.S. State Department tour of the Middle East in 1963 and a visit to Japan in the following year, Duke Ellington and his lifelong collaborator and co-composer, Billy Strayhorn, were inspired by the journey and wrote Impressions of the Far East, later added to and renamed, The Far East Suite. The tense opening movement, "Tourist Point of View," is a great example of Duke Ellington's genius at using his orchestra to musically illustrate pictorial experiences in the most illuminating and understandable presentation. In this movement, Duke Ellington captures the experience of a bewildered traveler in an exotic land. The rhythm section of Rufus Jones' drums and John Lamb's bass expresses the traveler's overwhelmed senses. Without a moment's rest, all of his senses are bombarded with the exotic and the strange as Rufus Jones rides the cymbal at blazing speed and John Lamb relentlessly plucks away on a mysterious current. The rhythm section alone makes for a fascinating listen. While the orchestra as a whole twists mood, the soloists swirl madly as the unfamiliar scent in the air, the ancient city in sight, the aftertaste of foreign food, and the buzzing dialect of the surrounding natives. "Tourist Point of View" is a masterpiece. Jimmy Hamilton's prowess on the clarinet is remarkable, and he is the featured soloist on the frenzying "Bluebird of Delhi" and the concerto-like "Ad Lib on Nippon." Arguably Duke Ellington's best work of the 60's, The Far East Suite is simply not to be missed in the Duke Ellington canon.

Typical Ellington, just classy and fun.......2005-02-23

Excellent album, in quintessential Ellington style, he applies the jazz idiom to express affection for Asia. This music is well crafted, intelligent, meaningful, uplifting, fun jazz and proves that true jazz will always be creative and modern and never die as long as there exist passionate fans and players who wish to express themselves in this most democratic of American (music) art forms. By the way this is still as modern as it gets!!

Excellent, buy this and enjoy and don't forget to take a listen to The NutCracker Suite, Black Brown and Beige, The AfroEurasian Eclipse, The New Orleans Suite and marvel at the creativity of the Duke!

........2004-12-21

Regardless of the transitions in jazz going on around him, Duke always held his own groud. He was consitanly updating songs for the times and had jumped into the new "avant" styles of the 60's from time to time. Alot of the avant garde was based on african/middle eastern concepts of music (Pharoah Sanders, John Coltrane, Ed Blackwell) so naturally this piece would sound like that. The world tours Duke took were the final strech of Duke's career and his final gasp of genius. There is no way to get around this piece. "Ad Lib" is a masterpiece by Ellington, and he never swung harder than "Blue Pepper". Harry Carney, Johnny Hodges, Ellington, Cat Anderson, John Lamb and Rufus Jones (who practically steals the show at times because of the versitality of his drumming) make major statements here.

Great music even if you don't like jazz.......2004-02-03

I don't like jazz; however, I love this album. It inspired me to look more closely at jazz, and yet this is still the only jazz album I really like. If the random sax noodling and muted trumpet cliches of jazz have turned you off, take a look at this work. It has a classical music sensibility about it, yet unlike Ellington's other classically based suites, it doesn't suffer from a comparison with the original (if such existed); it is interesting, varied, every movement something new.

Average customer rating:

Film Music of Dmitri Shostakovich, Vol. 2 Manufacturer: Chandos ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Suites | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Shostakovich | Shostakovich, Dmitri | ( S ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Movie Soundtracks | Soundtracks | Styles | Music General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music Similar Items: Film Music of Dmitri Shostakovich The Film Music of Dmitri Shostakovich, Vol. 3 The Film Music of William Alwyn, Vol. 2 Film Music of Vaughan Williams 1 The Film Music of William Alwyn, Vol. 3 ASIN: B0001IXRRO Release Date: 2004-04-27

Tracks:

1. Suite From 'The Golden Mountains', Op.30: I. Introduction. Moderato
2. Suite From 'The Golden Mountains', Op.30: II. Waltz. Andante - Piu Mosso/III. Fugue. Largo - Allegro
3. Suite From 'The Golden Mountains', Op.30: IV. Intermezzo. Andante
4. Suite From 'The Golden Mountains', Op.30: V. Funeral March. Largo
5. Suite From 'The Golden Mountains', Op.30: VI. Finale. Largo
6. Suite From 'The Gadfly', Op.97: I. Overture. Moderato Con Moto
7. Suite From 'The Gadfly', Op.97: II. contradance. Moderato
8. Suite From 'The Gadfly', Op.97: III. Folk Festival
9. Suite From 'The Gadfly', Op.97: IV. Interlude. Adagio
10. Suite From 'The Gadfly', Op.97: V. Barrel-Organ Waltz. Allegretto
11. Suite From 'The Gadfly', Op.97: VI. Galop. Allegro
12. Suite From 'The Gadfly', Op.97: VII. Introduction. Andantino
13. Suite From 'The Gadfly', Op.97: VIII. Romance. Allegro Moderato - Andante Con Moto
14. Suite From 'The Gadfly', Op.97: IX. Intermezzo. Andante - Moderato - Tempo I
15. Suite From 'The Gadfly', Op.97: X. Nocturne. Moderato
16. Suite From 'The Gadfly', Op.97: XI. Scene. Moderato
17. XII. Finale. Allegro Non Troppo - Allegro Vivace - Moderato Con Moto
18. 'Volochayev Days', Op.48: I. Overture. Allegretto
19. 'Volochayev Days', Op.48: II. The Japanese Attack. Allegretto
20. 'Volochayev Days', Op.48: III. (Fragment.) Allegro - Maestoso - Meno Mosso

Average customer rating:

Ellington Suites Manufacturer: Challenge ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Ellington | Ellington, Edward Duke | ( E ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Jazz | Styles | Music Jazz | Imports | Stores | Music ASIN: B0009V10PY Release Date: 2005-08-09

Tracks:

1. Tourist Point Of View
2. Bluebird Of Delhi
3. Isfahan
4. Depk
5. Agra
6. Amad
7. Ad Lib On Nippon
8. The Spring
9. The Run
10. The Meander
11. The Giggling Rapids
12. The Lake
13. The Falls/Whirlpool
14. The River
15. The Neo-hip-hot Cool-kiddies Community
16. Village Of The Virgins
17. The Mother, Her Majesty The Sea
18. The Spring

Average customer rating:

The Far East Suite Duke Ellington Manufacturer: RCA Fs Imports ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Jazz | Styles | Music Swing General | Swing Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music Classic Big Band | Swing Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music Contemporary Big Band | Swing Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music Orchestral Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music Jazz | Imports | Stores | Music ASIN: B00004TY58 Release Date: 2004-11-16

Tracks:

1. Tourist Point Of View
2. Bluebird Of Dehli (Mynha)
3. Isfahan
4. Depk
5. Mount Harissa
6. Blue Pepper (Far East Of The Blues)
7. Agra
8. Amad
9. Ad Lib On Nippon
10. Tourist Point Of View (Alternate Take)
11. Bluebird Of Dehli (Alternate Take)
12. Isfahan (Alternate Take)
13. Amad (Alternate Take)

Album Details

Luxury Digipack, French/English Booklet with Original Pictures and Artwork. Includes Four Alternate Takes.

Average customer rating:

William Grant Still: The American Scene Manufacturer: Newport Classic ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Still | Still, William Grant | ( S ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Suites | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Chamber Music | Forms & Genres | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Vocal & Song | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Keyboard | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music Violin | Strings | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music Manhattan Chamber Orchestra | ( M ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Modern & 20th Century | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music English | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General | Songs & Lieder | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Similar Items: William Grant Still: Afro-American Symphony; In Memoriam; Africa (Symphonic Poem) Music of William Grant Still Works By William Grant Still Still: Symphony No. 1; Ellington: Suite from "The River" ASIN: B000003W32 Release Date: 1995-03-28

Tracks:

1. The American Scene: Grand Teton
2. The American Scene: Tomb Of the Unknown
3. The American Scene: Soldier
4. The American Scene: Song Of the Rivermen
5. From The Hearts Of Women: Little Mother
6. From The Hearts Of Women: Mid Tide
7. From The Hearts Of Women: Coquette
8. From The Hearts Of Women: Bereft
9. The American Scene: The Plaza
10. The American Scene: Sundown Land
11. The American Scene: Navaho Country
12. Citadel
13. Phantom Chapel
14. Golden Days
15. Serenade
16. The American Scene: On The Village Green
17. The American Scene: Berkshire Night
18. The American Scene: Manhattan Skyline

Average customer rating:

Far East Suite Duke Ellington Manufacturer: Bmg Music ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Jazz | Styles | Music ASIN: B00000E6DV Release Date: 1989-01-20

Average customer rating:

Children's Suite: Chinese Piano Music Manufacturer: Thorofon ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Alexander Tcherepnin | Tcherepnin, Alexander | ( T ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Chamber Music | Forms & Genres | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Keyboard | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music Classical | Imports | Stores | Music ASIN: B00000458N Release Date: 1996-06-18

Average customer rating:

The Far East Suite Duke Ellington Manufacturer: Bmg Japan ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Jazz | Styles | Music Swing General | Swing Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music Classic Big Band | Swing Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music Contemporary Big Band | Swing Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music Orchestral Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music General | Jazz | Indie Music | Stores | Music Swing Jazz | Jazz | Indie Music | Stores | Music Traditional & Vocal Pop | Pop | Indie Music | Stores | Music Jazz | Imports | Stores | Music ASIN: B000065B6M Release Date: 2002-06-26

Tracks:

1. Tourist Point Of View
2. Bluebird Of Delhi (Mynah)
3. Isfahan
4. Depk
5. Mount Harissa
6. Blue Pepper (Far East Of The Blues)
7. Agra
8. Amad
9. Ad Lib On Nippon

Album Details

24 Bit Digitally Remastered Japanese Limited Edition in an LP-STYLE Slipcase.

Average customer rating:

The Far East Suite Duke Ellington Manufacturer: RCA ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Jazz | Styles | Music Swing General | Swing Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music Classic Big Band | Swing Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music Contemporary Big Band | Swing Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music Orchestral Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music ASIN: B00008FN4W Release Date: 1990-10-25

Tracks:

1. Tourist Point of View
2. Bluebird of Delhi (Mynah)
3. Isfahan
4. Depk
5. Mount Harissa - Duke Ellington
6. Blue Pepper (Far East of the Blues)
7. Agra
8. Amad
9. Ad Lib on Nippon
10. Tourist Point of View [Alternate Take]
11. Bluebird of Delhi (Mynah) [Alternate Take]
12. Isfahan [Alternate Take]
13. Amad [Alternate Take]

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