Duke Ellington and Johnny Hodges - Side By Side (1959/2012) [DSD64 + Hi-Res FLAC]

This 1959 Verve record is a collaboration between Ellington and saxophonist Johnny Hodges. Hodges takes the lead on most of the tracks, backed by Ellington and Billy Strayhorn on piano and well-known jazz musicians like Ben Webster, Roy Eldridge, Harry "Sweets" Edison and Jo Jones.

Topping off a wealth of full-band recordings, the various stars of Ellington's great outfit recorded many combo sides under their own names. And while not on the same sophisticated level of classic Ellingtonia, the late-'30s material cut by Johnny Hodges, Cootie Williams, and Rex Stewart is packed with tasty solo work and some of the finest examples of early small-group swing. These later examples from 1958-1959 feature Hodges backed by both Ellington and Billy Strayhorn on piano and such non-Duke luminaries as Ben Webster, Roy Eldridge, Harry "Sweets" Edison, and Jo Jones. Like its companion album, Back to Back, Side by Side has a loose, jam session feel, with all the soloists stretching out. Hodges is in top form throughout, while Edison and Webster man their spots just fine. Highlights include the sveltely swinging "Going Up" and Hodges' bluesy closer, "You Need to Rock." A must for fans of vintage combo swing.

Tracklist:

01 - Stompy Jones
02 - Just Squeeze Me
03 - Big Shoe
04 - Going Up
05 - Just a Memory
06 - Let's Fall in Love
07 - Ruint
08 - Bend One
09 - You Need to Rock

Producer by Norman Granz.
Recorded at Columbia Studios in New York, NY.

Musicians:
Tracks 1, 2 and 4
Duke Ellington – piano
Johnny Hodges – alto saxophone
Harry "Sweets" Edison – trumpet
Les Spann – flute (track 4 only), guitar
Al Hall – bass
Jo Jones – drums
These tracks were recorded February 26, 1959
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Tracks 3 and 5 through 9
Johnny Hodges – alto saxophone
Roy Eldridge – trumpet
Lawrence Brown – trombone
Ben Webster – tenor saxophone
Billy Strayhorn – piano
Wendell Marshall – bass
Jo Jones – drums
These tracks were recorded August 14, 1958

Mastered by George Marino at Sterling Sound from the original analog master tapes to vinyl and PCM. The DSD was sourced from the PCM. George listened to all of the different A/D converters he had before he chose which to use, and he felt the George Massenburg GML 20 bit A/D produced the best and most synergistic sound for the project.

Thanks to the Original customer!