World War Two took its toll of Duke Ellington's orchestra, with various key members being drafted into service throughout 1943. But by the time of this December follow-up concert to its Carnegie Hall premiere the previous January, the band was again a fully functioning unit. The concert, geared mostly to Ellington favorites, starts with a rousing, patriotic "Star Spangled Banner," moving swiftly to the bandleader's popular "Take the 'A' Train." Ellington had pared down his "Black, Brown and Beige" suite for concert performances since its first airing in January--it appears here in two excerpts. A wry, wonderful "Do Nothing 'Til You Hear From Me" closes the show.
Rovi