Duke Ellington - A Concert Of Sacred Music From Grace Cathedral, 1965

Recorded at New York Fifth Avenue Presbyterian Church. Album Details

Beware

I had this on my wish list, and my folks ordered it for me for Christmas from the list and had it shipped directly to me. It arrived in an Amazon box with several other CD's. I noticed it had a homemade looking label on the disc itself, but I figured it must be a small operation that manufactured it since I'd never heard of the "Status" label. I only listened to the first few songs before putting it away for later. Well, I just pulled it back out and listened to it, and after the first few songs, it gradually began to degrade until it got to the point that it finally started skipping near the end of the disc. On closer examination it's obvious that this is a CD-R, not a CD. I've ordered a lot of CD's from Amazon, and this is the first time anything like this has happened. It might be expected that it could occur from a private seller - but Amazon? February 19, 2007

How long, oh Lord?

Not up to the level of Ellington's 2nd Sacred Music Concert (which also benefits from the addition of Swedish soprano Alice Babs), this recording of the 1st Sacred Music Concert may be the best that's currently available on CD. At least it's by Ellington's own band and the "tonal personalities" for whom Duke wrote the work.

Besides the 2nd Sacred Concert, Ellington had made progress on a 3rd before his death. We can only hope that some American recording company assembles the best of all three and releases them in the format they deserve. Ellington's sacred music concerts--as well as the nature of his religious faith--is poorly understood, even by sympathetic critics and staunch supporters. But it is highly worthy Ellington, representative of his inimitable genius. Without it, his ouevre and life (which in itself is a work of art) is incomplete. December 24, 2002

Required Ellington, Regardless of Spirituality

This is so significant a part of Duke Ellington's life that to not own it is a sin. (Pardon the pun).

In all seriousness, this is some of the most spiritual work Ellington ever composed and it shows greatly in listening. I personally am not the biggest fan of "christianified" popular music, but Duke Ellington had a certain right to do what he saw fit with "his" music. In this regard this is one of his most significant works.

It begins, appropriately, with 'In the Beginning', a nice mix of spirituals with jazz, and a nice soothing vocal by Brock Peters. This is followed by an interlude containing the rather perky recitals of the books of the bible. Not my favorite component of the work, but this IS a spiritual work. Great sax and trumpet work however, by Paul Gonsalves and Cat Anderson, respectively. A reprise of the "books" theme brings the piece around again, and some great drum work here by none other than Louis Bellson is well worth noting.

'Tell me it's the Truth' features a nice swinging horn section and a happy romp through the southern sprituals with awesome vocals by Esther Marrow! BEAUTIFUL!!

'Come Sunday' was almost a given to be included in the Sacred Concerts. Esther Marrow again performs with all the feeling of Mahalia Jackson.

'The Lord's Prayer' is a strong hand on any listener's forehead, again sung by Esther Marrow. Great rhythm and swing for this emotional spiritual.

'Come Sunday' is next reprised in a nice, more subdued version, to complete it's role in the concert and lend a theme to the work in an instrumental, vocal-free way. Well worth the purchase price alone to hear yet another Johnny Hodges miracle on saxophone. PERFECT!!

'Will You Be There? Aint But THe One' is a choir-heavy challenge to the listener and a one-on-one discussion, between Jimmy McPhail and the listener, to look at our own inner spirituality. Followed by a swinging spiritual walk through Duke's world of jazz and the lord. Great stuff here.

'New World a Coming' is perhaps the most refreshing ingredient in the performance. This beautiful Ellington suite is always welcome and finds a strong position here in the Sacred Concerts. Duke plays the theme statement in an aggressively beautiful way, leading us to come to understand the work as one of upbeat hope and forwardness to all that awaits us in our future. One of Ellington's best recorded versions and quite possibly one of his best recorded piano performances ever.

'David Danced before the Lord...' features Bunny Briggs tapping away a wonderful introduction of a reprised 'Come Sunday' choired theme and a great rhythm section. Unparalleled arranging by Ellington here once again proves his mastery at his craft. If this doesnt get you to swing than nothin will.

This edition has been remastered from the original recordings and features a bonus track in "The Lord's PrayerII".

This concert is perhaps one that grows on the listener like no other. Listen to it once, its good, listen to it twice, its better, listen to it three times and you may begin to find it more beautiful than you ever imagined. Thank you Duke. January 11, 2002

Required Ellington, regardless of spirituality.

This is so significant a part of Duke Ellington's life that to not own it is a sin. (Pardon the pun).

In all seriousness, this is some of the most spiritual work Ellington ever composed and it shows greatly in listening. I personally am not the biggest fan of "christianified" popular music, but Duke Ellington had a certain right to do what he saw fit with "his" music. In this regard this is one of his most significant works.

It begins, appropriately, with 'In the Beginning', a nice mix of spirituals with jazz, and a nice soothing vocal by Brock Peters. This is followed by an interlude containing the rather perky recitals of the books of the bible. Not my favorite component of the work, but this IS a spiritual work. Great sax and trumpet work however, by Paul Gonsalves and Cat Anderson, respectively. A reprise of the "books" theme brings the piece around again, and some great drum work here by none other than Louis Bellson is well worth noting.

'Tell me it's the Truth' features a nice swinging horn section and a happy romp through the southern sprituals with awesome vocals by Esther Marrow! BEAUTIFUL!!

'Come Sunday' was almost a given to be included in the Sacred Concerts. Esther Marrow again performs with all the feeling of Mahalia Jackson.

'The Lord's Prayer' is a strong hand on any listener's forehead, again sung by Esther Marrow. Great rhythm and swing for this emotional spiritual.

'Come Sunday' is next reprised in a nice, more subdued version, to complete it's role in the concert and lend a theme to the work in an instrumental, vocal-free way. Well worth the purchase price alone to hear yet another Johnny Hodges miracle on saxophone. PERFECT!!

'Will You Be There? Aint But THe One' is a choir-heavy challenge to the listener and a one-on-one discussion, between Jimmy McPhail and the listener, to look at our own inner spirituality. Followed by a swinging spiritual walk through Duke's world of jazz and the lord. Great stuff here.

'New World a Coming' is perhaps the most refreshing ingredient in the performance. This beautiful Ellington suite is always welcome and finds a strong position here in the Sacred Concerts. Duke plays the theme statement in an aggressively beautiful way, leading us to come to understand the work as one of upbeat hope and forwardness to all that awaits us in our future. One of Ellington's best recorded versions and quite possibly one of his best recorded piano performances ever.

'David Danced before the Lord...' features Bunny Briggs tapping away a wonderful introduction of a reprised 'Come Sunday' choired theme and a great rhythm section. Unparalleled arranging by Ellington here once again proves his mastery at his craft. If this doesnt get you to swing than nothin will.

This concert is perhaps one that grows on the listener like no other. Listen to it once, its good, listen to it twice, its better, listen to it three times and you may begin to find it more beautiful than you ever imagined. Thank you Duke. January 2, 2002

This music really is sacred!

As the editorial review says, what is little known abt the great man of Jazz was his tremendous abiding Christian faith and his lively and invigorating spirtuality. And by God, does it just pour out in his Sacred Concert music. I highly recommend picking up the book called Duke Ellington : A Spiritual Biography bu Janna Steed, which I bought along with this. It's a short form popular biography (like the Penguin Lives biographies) but it's main focus is on Duke's Sacred Music and concerts. Apparently this author is The expert on his Sacred Music and has been studying it and Duke's spirituality for years. Exciting stuff, along with this great CD! September 28, 2000

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