LPCDreissues: Looking forward to the past

Duke Ellington's admiration for Paul Gonsalves was given particularly generous expression in this album. The maestro designated his great tenor saxophonist the only soloist of the date, giving Gonsalves reign to express himself through the duration of eight major pieces of Ellingtonia. Where the arrangements normally provided for solos by trumpet, trombone, piano, even drums, Gonsalves was the sole improviser. Calling on his reserves of harmonic knowledge, lyricism, swing, and stamina, the saxophonist made the most of the honor. Among the compositions are staples of the band's repertoire including "C-Jam Blues" and "Take the 'A' Train," and less frequently heard numbers like "Paris Blues" and "Ready, Go." C-Jam Blues, Take the "A" Train, Happy Go Lucky Local, Jam with Sam, Caravan, Just a-Sittin' and a-Rockin', Paris Blues; Ready, Gowith Roy Burrowes, Cat Anderson, Bill Berry, Ray Nance, Lawrence Brown, Leon Cox, Chuck Connors, Russell Procope, Johnny Hodges, Jimmy Hamilton, Harry Carney, Aaron Bell, Sam Woodyard