I found an amazing CD at my local Starbucks today that I recommend to anyone who loves Duke Ellington.
It’s called In Grand Company. It’s a compilation of recordings made by Duke Ellington with other artists: Count Basie, Ella Fitzgerald, Dizzy Gillespie and many, many more.
But the one amazing cut on this CD is It Don’t Mean A Thing (If It Ain’t Got That Swing) with Louis Armstrong. I love this song and have featured it as a song of the day here. But I’ve never heard anything as exciting as this recording with the Duke and Louis. If nothing else, it’s the first time I’ve ever heard the verse sung.
UPDATED: I found the recording of It Don’t Mean A Thing for you to listen to. If this doesn’t swing, I don’t know what does.
I don’t know how long Starbucks will have this in the stores, but I do encourage you to find this CD and give it a listen. You can also purchase it online from Starbucks. The CD also comes with a booklet with informative liner notes by Steven Stolder, who also produced this compilation for Sony Music Entertainment.
And, while you’re there, the Starbucks store has Viva Duets, if you haven’t picked up your copy yet.
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