The Ellington band playing familiar arrangements from their library, with Paul playing ALL of the solos. Nothing more needs to be said. Wonderful!

Duke Ellington Featuring Paul Gonsalves

There's just so much Ellington material out there I could never profess to be an expert.

Apart from that, though, is an album by Paul Gonsalves and quintet called

, which I have always held dear.

So when I found this recording I wondered if it could possibly live up to the high expectations brought forward from that album.

First of all, this album might just as well be called Paul Gonsalves features the Duke Ellington Orchestra. No kidding, there's that much Gonsalves in here.

Gonsalves seems to be recorded more clearly than in past, or perhaps he's enunciating more clearly here, but the sound is terrific -- nothing muddled. And he always has something to say. The songs all seem to be Ellington standard fare.

I give this album five stars for so far exceeding my expectations.