Rarely has such sumptuous jazz been married to a film soundtrack. Written in 1959 for director Otto Preminger's courtroom drama of sex and jealousy, the burnished glow of Ellington's score is undeniably erotic - indeed, the powerfully charged, slow burn of the second track here, "Flirtibird," is among Ellington's most sensual recordings.
Classic film scores build on recurring motifs that identify characters and situations, amplifying their existence for the viewer through the sense of hearing. The "flirty bird" of the title - Lee Remick's Laura Manion - is evoked early on by a six-note phrase, with emotional hues that undergo dramatic changes every time it reappears along the score's course. "Way Early Subtone" expands on that phrase in a passionate, extended coda that tries to rekindle the flame; by the time of "Almost Cried," the melody has taken on a deep, hard-edged sadness.
The Ellington orchestra sounded exquisite in the early summer sessions that produced this soundtrack. With a burnished sonic brilliance reminiscent of the glorious 1940 "Blanton/Webster" edition of the band, and soloists like Johnny Hodges and Paul Gonsalves (whose masterful tenor saxophone solo on "Hero To Zero" is surrounded by some truly adventurous harmonies), Ellington's tightly woven soundtrack took on a life independent of its original context. In doing so, it became one of Duke's most satisfying albums. (by Jazziz)
James Stewart & Duke Ellington
Personnel:
Duke Ellington (piano) & His Orchestra
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Cat Anderson (trumpet)
Shorty Baker (trumpet)
Harry Carney (saxophone, clarinet)
Paul Gonsalves (saxophone)
Jimmy Hamilton (clarinet, saxophone)
Johnny Hodges (saxophone)
Ray Nance (trumpet, violin)
Russel Procope (clarinet, saxophone)
Clark Terry (trumpet, flugelhorn)
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The P.I. Five
Tracklist:
01. Main Titel/Anatomy Of A Murder (Ellington) 3.57
02. Flirtibird (Ellington) 2.14
03. Way Early Subtone (Ellington) 3.59
04. Hero To Zero (Ellington) 2.11
05. Low Key Lightly (Ellington) 3.39
06. Happy Anatomy (Ellington) 2.35
07. Midniight Indigo (Ellington) 2.46
08. Almost Cried (Ellington) 2.26
09. Sunswept Sunday (Ellington) 1.53
10. Grace Valse (Ellington) 2.30
11. Happy Anatomy (Ellington) 1.11
12. Haupe (Ellington) 2.37
13. Upper And Outest (Ellington) 2.23
14. Anatomy Of A Murder (Ellington) 2.44
15. Merrily Rolling Along/Sunswept Sunday (Ellington) 3.49
16. Ber Garden (Ellington) 1.53
17. Happy Anatomy (Ellington) 2.43
18. Polly (aka Grace Valse - Haupe - Low Key Lightly - Midnight Indigo) (Ellington) 3.35
19. Polly (Ellington) 3.54
20. Happy Anatomy (Ellington) 2.15
21. More Blues (Ellington) 2.15
22. Anatomy Of A Murder (Ellington) 2.13
23. Anatomy Of A Murder (Ellington) 2.29
24. Anatomy Of A Murder (Ellington) 2.36
25. The Grand Finale (Rehearsel/Lines/Interview/Music/Stings/Murder) (Ellington) 10.47
