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Reviews (3)

Great Video
THe Piano is A Grand Instrument and their have Been Many Grand Musicians in Jazz that Have Played it.this Video Reflects that&More.Chick Corea is a Musical Genius Period.His Fusion is Incredible.From His Days WithMiles Davis,Return To Forever&His Other Projects He is Incredible.IReally Enjoyed this.Fantastic.

A great insight into some of the greatest piano jazz
This video is very well made, and Chick's hosting and narrative in well thought out and conveys a deep knowledge of the medium. (After all, he IS Chick Corea) Sound quality on most of the clips is accurate for the mostpart, but it's the content that really makes it shine. You don't have to bea musician to enjoy this video. It contains a lot of information about thehistory of piano jazz, and there is a surprising treat at the end. Chick,one of the most underrated and understated musicians of our time, plays apiano solo version of his composition "The Yellow Nimbus" that isnothing less than spectacular. I actually heard this version before I heardthe one on his "Touchstone" CD, with Paco De Lucia. That one isawesome too. (As you can tell, I'm a big Chick fan). GET THIS VIDEO. It's agreat value at twice the price.

Chick Corea at his best
Chick Corea is probably the most underated pianist in the industry.Often misunderstood because of his ecclectic sound and provocative themes, Chick Corea's other works in the classical realm are unfortunately overlooked. Piano Legends gives us a Chick Corea we rarely see.It shows us that knowhim even more of what he does and gives many an insight on who Chick Coreareally is. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Jazz    2. Jazz Collections    3. Music Video - Jazz    4. Pop    5. Post-Bop    6. V/a Compilations   

Editorial Review

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Bix may have been playing
In the Whiteman clip, it still is possible that Bix wasn't faking it.He was a self-taught trumpet player, and all of his fingerings are completely different from anyone else's.As for the different cut off, I'm not sure.But I don't think anyone should discredit the Bix clip entirely.He had his own style of playing.

Mixed Bag; For The True Devotee
A nice selection of rare material is undercut by the presentation here. Many films have been poorly framed so that people's heads are cropped - God, it's annoying, did no one look at this before it was released? Audio is generally as good as source material permits. As for the Bix clip - yep, there he (barely) is, in the brass section, FAKING his way through "My Ohio Home" (watch his fingering, it doesn't match the arrangement, and he stops playing before the rest of the section). So this is not the "only sound film document" of Bix playing - he ain't playing. There is no tray insert with any background info or even a track list, and nothing onscreen to indicate what you're watching, so you'll need to have the box handy. Nobody went out of their way to upgrade this for DVD, that's for sure. If you have the VHS, you don't need this. Four stars for material, docked one star for presentation.

Good Compliation-look for more
This is an excellent compilation of rare material, and it a must have for the great Boswell Sisters material, the shot of Bix in Whiteman's trumpet section (not soloing as the box says), the "dance contest" with Chick Webb's 1929 band (which released only 1 78), closeups of Duke's 1929 band-Wellman Braud, Sonny Greer, young Harry Carney and Johnny Hodges (soloing on soprano), Freddy Jenkins, Artie Whetsol, Cootie Williams...Read more

Subjects:  1. Big Band    2. Classic Jazz    3. Jazz    4. Jazz Collections    5. Music Video    6. Music Video - Jazz    7. Performance    8. Pop    9. Swing    10. V/a Compilations   

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A Retrospective Glimpse of the end of an era.
This is a 1970's production which highlights several night's performances of Duke and the Orchestra on their 1968 Mexican Tour, during which they performed (for the first time) the "Mexican Suite", (later to be completed and recorded as the "Latin American Suite"... widely accepted as the best secular work of Ellington's final creative stage prior to his passing in 1974) This film was produced around 1975 or '76 and contains some heart felt studio interviews with then surviving band members Cat Anderson (tp) and Russell Procope (cl).Although the production tends to drag somewhat in places, it is nonetheless a very insightful look back at the genius of Ellington, and the passion with which his band members cared for him as their leader. This may not be the finest documentary, but it is well worth owning for its rare late-career concert footage and the insights and reflections of his players.

The Ellington Band: the final years
This nostalgic Video focuses primarily on footage of the Ellington Band's Mexico City Concerts from 1968 and interviews with 3 Ellingtonians. The video quality (especially the concert footage) is of marginal quality. Nonetheless, this stands as a document of a late Ellington concert and addsinsight from those close to Ellington after his passing. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Big Band    2. Big Bands    3. Classic Jazz    4. Jazz    5. Music Video - Jazz    6. Orchestral Jazz    7. Pop    8. Progressive Big Band    9. Swing   

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Duke Ellington Tribute
Whoa!! I don't know what else to say! This is the greats I've seen on BET on Jazz paying tribute to the late legendary pianist Duke Ellington. Highly recommended! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Big Band    2. Jazz    3. Music Video    4. Music Video - Jazz    5. Performance    6. Pop    7. Swing    8. Trad Jazz   

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Reviews (7)

Boring
Don't rush and buy this DVD based on wonderful reviews like I did. Rent it first. Better yet, buy it from me - I am not watching it again.
Wonderful...
This DVD is magnificent.Honestly, the only reason I bought it is because my favorite artist is in it (Phyllis Hyman).In my personal opinion, she stole the show.Wow...she was great.Don't get me wrong, though; the other performances are good, too.Phyllis is even better, though.This is a must have for any Phyllis Hyman fan.Even if you aren't one, buy this.

Direct From Broadway does it again and I hope it'll make a great part of the collection!
I already got three "Direct From Broadway" plays such as Jekyll & Hyde: The Musical, Putting It Together and Smokey Joe's Cafe and I bet this one will be the finale part of the collection if I do get it that is. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Performing Arts - Theater   

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Subjects:  1. Jazz    2. Music Video - Pop/Rock    3. Pop   

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Awesome and Artistic "live" Studio Set
This film, shot in 1962 features the Ellington Band at thier peak. The original production, funded by a Goodyear Tire Co. music promotion program has been recently restored and re "printed" from the original 35mm color masters. Read more

Subjects:  1. Big Band    2. Jazz    3. Music Video - Jazz    4. Pop    5. Swing    6. Trad Jazz   

Editorial Review

Between 1965 and 1973, a year before his death, Duke Ellington created three concerts of sacred music, large-scale works that incorporated dancers, choruses, and gospel singers in addition to his own band. Describing these efforts as "the most important thing I have ever done," he said they allowed him to "say openly what I have been saying on my knees." As far as this 1998 version is concerned, well, since the subject is sacred music, perhaps some sacred language (i.e., Latin) is appropriate: Read more

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The whole package BUT...
This DVD has the whole package going for it. The music was very well recorded. (I won�t get into the technical aspects of it.) The picture looked great as well...but, and I hate to admit this being a music lover and an Ellington music lover, the Duke�s music was good but the film was really boring to me. It wasn�t just the religious aspect of the film either-I think I might have been bored to tears anyway. (Apologies to all those religious folks out there.) I found myself listening to the instrumentals and the introductions and moving on. music goes on a life of its own even after its creator(s)'s
people gripe about this release with(out) reason. and it's their right. however, it's unfair not only to the musicianship of all those associated with this performance but also to ellington himself to lower this work. indeed, isn't the dream of any music-maker to create music that lives forever, or at least beyond the confines of the creator's own life? no one has a problem with those cd's titled beethoven...
No Duke Here
This Image Entertainment DVD is a fraud. No Duke Ellington.No Duke Ellington Orchestra.Not one of his great sidemen.Just a mediocre European big band, an embarrassing European choir and four American soloists--none of whom had any association with Duke.Don't believe any of the hype that comes with it. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Big Band    2. Jazz    3. Music Video - Jazz    4. Musical Features    5. Pop   

Editorial Review

Filmed in 1967 and first shown in 1974, filmmaker Robert Drew's hour-long documentary is less a biography of Duke Ellington, the man now widely regarded as the 20th century's most important composer, than a brief slice of his remarkable life. "Every night I give a house party," Ellington says of his days on the road, "and I'm the guest of honor." Yet while there's plenty of performance footage of the maestro and his musicians (most of it, unfortunately, a bit on the grainy side, with audio that's less than stellar), we also see him in the studio, at work at his piano, doing business, eating his daily breakfast of steak, potatoes, and hot water, attending the funeral of musical partner Billy Strayhorn, and considerably more. What emerges is a reasonably intimate portrait of a smart, debonair (but oh-so-hip) man whose life was simply consumed with music--much to the benefit of us all. Read more

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Fascinating footage buried in a terribly dated documentary
Duke's music was timeless, the videos shot on him, were not. This video is a joke and could have been redone to fit today's world. The narriator is definitly a "square", in fact this whole documentary was shot buy what would have then been called "squares". Of worthy is seeing Ellington's band performing briefly on spread out on a train in the 1940's. Duke Speaking with Louis Armstrong backstage, Ray Nance playing violin at Billy Strayhorn's funeral, Duke performing rare pieces such as "Traffic Cop" are all quite amazing. Worth it only for hard core duke fans who can sit through the poor audio during the interview parts, and annoying narriation will want to aquire this.

Welcome To Duke's World
"One the Road With Duke Ellington" was first broadcast on October 13, 1967 on NBC. Filming began in earlier that year. Here's an idea of what is included in the film. Read more

Subjects:  1. Documentary   

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Subjects:  1. Jazz    2. Music Video - Pop/Rock    3. Pop   

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Subjects:  1. Big Band    2. Classic Jazz    3. Jazz    4. Music Video - Jazz    5. Orchestral Jazz    6. Pop    7. Swing   

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The Jazziest Blues.
I think this video is a must have for your blues and jazz collection. The short musical movies, are well put together. I especially like Duke Ellington's Bundle of blues, I didn't know the song stormy weather, was writen and sung before the 1940's. Ivie Anderson sung the song different or as good as Lena Horne. And the dance team right after, was very good. They did dances back then in the 1930's, the way ethnic nightclubs do now. The women were thin, but looked healthy. This video is a must see, some of the vidoes were a little boring, but the rest will make up for it.

Best of the Four Volume Set
If you're not ready to roll out the bucks for the complete fourvolume set of HOLLYWOOD RHYTHM, this is the one to buy first. The mainreason is for the first short in this volume -- "Symphony inBlack." This marvelous short features Duke Ellington at the pianocomposing a new work.Intercut between those scenes are vignettesrepresenting the different movenents of the piece.One of whichfeatures a young (and uncredited) Billie Holiday as the scorned woman.Another features the provocative dancing of (also uncredited) Earl"Snake Hips" Tucker.Contemporary music video directorscould learn a lot from this piece with its stylish use of black &white photography and wonderful art direction.Read more

Subjects:  1. Documentary    2. Movie    3. Music Video    4. Musicals & Cast Recordings    5. Musicals (Theatrical)    6. Performance   

Editorial Review

Filmed in 1967 and first shown in 1974, filmmaker Robert Drew's hour-long documentary is less a biography of Duke Ellington, the man now widely regarded as the 20th century's most important composer, than a brief slice of his remarkable life. "Every night I give a house party," Ellington says of his days on the road, "and I'm the guest of honor." Yet while there's plenty of performance footage of the maestro and his musicians (most of it, unfortunately, a bit on the grainy side, with audio that's less than stellar), we also see him in the studio, at work at his piano, doing business, eating his daily breakfast of steak, potatoes, and hot water, attending the funeral of musical partner Billy Strayhorn, and considerably more. What emerges is a reasonably intimate portrait of a smart, debonair (but oh-so-hip) man whose life was simply consumed with music--much to the benefit of us all. Read more

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Reviews (2)

Fascinating footage buried in a terribly dated documentary
Duke's music was timeless, the videos shot on him, were not. This video is a joke and could have been redone to fit today's world. The narriator is definitly a "square", in fact this whole documentary was shot buy what would have then been called "squares". Of worthy is seeing Ellington's band performing briefly on spread out on a train in the 1940's. Duke Speaking with Louis Armstrong backstage, Ray Nance playing violin at Billy Strayhorn's funeral, Duke performing rare pieces such as "Traffic Cop" are all quite amazing. Worth it only for hard core duke fans who can sit through the poor audio during the interview parts, and annoying narriation will want to aquire this.

Welcome To Duke's World
"One the Road With Duke Ellington" was first broadcast on October 13, 1967 on NBC. Filming began in earlier that year. Here's an idea of what is included in the film. Read more

Subjects:  1. Documentary    2. Jazz    3. Pop   

Features

• Color
• Live
• NTSC

Subjects:  1. Big Band    2. Jazz    3. Music Video - Jazz    4. Pop    5. Swing   

Features

• Black & White
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Subjects:  1. Jazz    2. Music Video - Jazz    3. Pop   

Features

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Subjects:  1. Big Band    2. Big Bands    3. Jazz    4. Pop   

Features

• Black & White
• Compilation
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Subjects:  1. Music Video - Jazz    2. Pop    3. V/a Compilations