Artist: Billy Strayhorn

Artist: Johnny Hodges, Billy Strayhorn

This album is virtually a showcase for the alto saxophone of Johnny Hodges. The only other soloist on most of the numbers is trombonist Lawrence Brown who is wonderful on "Stardust". He's accompanied by the Duke Ellington band with Billy Strayhorn replacing Ellington at the piano and the crisp drumming throughout is by Sam Woodyard. But half a dozen of the Ellingtonians including Harry Carney and Paul Gonsalves solo on Hodges's own tune, "Tailor Made". All the arrangements were written by Strayhorn and most of the tunes are his or Ellington's, including fine lesser-played pieces like "The Gal From Joe's" and "Azure". Hodges always contrived to be impeccable and inspired at the same time. He was one of the great originals, instantly identifiable by his superb sound, impeccable poise and instinctive feeling for jazz. He was remarkable for many things, not least his ability to play romantic music without ever sounding sentimental or banal. A perfect example of this is on "Your Love Has Faded" where the listener is treated to the sort of playing that caused Charlie Parker to speak of "Johnny Lily Pons Hodges". --Steve Voce--
The Finest Possible Showpiece for a Legend, 2002-11-13
The more snide critic that this album barely qualifies as jazz, but it is the firm framework of Billy Strayhorn's specially commissioned new arrangements (ranging from the reworking of the 1940's hit 'Azure' to the tweaking of the introduction and ensemble passages on 'Jeep's Blues'), that allows Hodges to shine as a soloist comletely unhindered.
The results are spectacular - no man in history has achieved such liquid purity, such languid poise and elegance as Hodges on this album. From the falling first notes of 'Don't Get Around Much Anymore' he is at his best, glissing, bending and swelling as only he could.
He may be superb, but he is run close by the majesty of his old compatriot in the Ellington Band, Laurence Brown, whose trombone lights up Hoagy Carmichael's classic 'Stardust'.
It is the very quality of Strayhorns arrangements that make this album so approachable - many of the classic Ellingtonian discords have disappeared, and the modern idioms that interested Hodges in the mid 1960's have yet to appear. The result is perfect, easy-listening Jazz majesty - this album is certainly one of the jewels of the known World.

Artist: Billy Strayhorn

Artist: Academy of St Martin in the Fields, London Philharmonic Orchestra

As a jazz pianist, bandleader and composer Duke Ellington was a genuine colossus of 20th century music. If "Take the 'A' Train" was his signature tune, he contributed countless other standards to the priceless vaults of American song. "I Got it Bad (and That Ain't Good)", "In a Sentimental Mood" and "Do Nothin' Till You Hear From Me" are just a few of the numbers that strike an instant chord of recognition: cool, swinging, sophisticated ballads which embrace both the energy of a party in full swing and the lonely small hours of the morning when the guests have gone. This definitive set of Ellington songs marked the centenary of his birth in 1999 and is a timely reminder that great music can never be fully contained by compartments like "jazz", "classical" or "pop". Previn is a masterly pianist, taking each number on its own voyage of discovery and suddenly stripping the melody bare to reveal its accessible beauty. In these spare settings, Finck's double bass provides the perfect counterpoint. The tone is mellow indeed.--Piers Ford

Artist: Billy Strayhorn

lush life, 2009-07-26
It's hard to describe the sensuous, lush, moody qualities of the wonderful Billy Strayhorn's compositions. A Flower is a Lovesome Thing is languid and indulgent, Chelsea Bridge is gloomy and evocative, Day Dream full of tenderness. Lush Life and Something To Live For are gorgeous songs of longing and desire. I couldn't stop playing this cd for days. Like other Proper Introduction cds, it is attractively packaged with detailed notes, and is a delicious listen.

Artist: Billy Strayhorn