Artist: Duke Ellington & His Orchestra
Title Of Album: Duke Ellington's Finest Hour
Year: 2002
Genre: Jazz
Source: CD
Playing Time: 63:10
Total Size: 260,39 MB
Quality: FLAC+Cue+Log+M3u8+Cover[Front Back CD]
Bitrate: Lossless

1. Duke Ellington & His Orchestra - East St. Louis Toodle-O [02:54]
2. Duke Ellington & His Orchestra - Black and Tan Fantasy [03:19]
3. Duke Ellington & His Orchestra - Jubilee Stomp [02:46]
4. Duke Ellington & His Orchestra - Black Beauty [03:14]
5. Duke Ellington & His Orchestra - The Mooche [03:13]
6. Duke Ellington & His Orchestra - Rent Party Blues [03:27]
7. Duke Ellington & His Orchestra - Double Check Stomp [02:53]
8. Duke Ellington & His Orchestra - Mood Indigo [02:58]
9. Duke Ellington & His Orchestra - Creole Rhapsody, Part 1 [03:09]
10. Duke Ellington & His Orchestra - Creole Rhapsody, Part 2 [03:21]
11. Duke Ellington & His Orchestra - Stompy Jones [06:39]
12. Duke Ellington & His Orchestra - Self Portrait (Of the Bean) [03:54]
13. Duke Ellington & His Orchestra - In a Sentimental Mood [04:16]
14. Duke Ellington & His Orchestra - Take the 'A' Train [04:56]
15. Duke Ellington & His Orchestra - Prelude to a Kiss [04:29]
16. Duke Ellington & His Orchestra - Sophisticated Lady / Solitude [04:45]
17. Duke Ellington & His Orchestra - Satin Doll [02:52]

Perhaps the most beautiful thing about this entry in Verve's Finest Hour series is that it covers 46 years in Ellington's career, from the very beginning of his recording career in 1926, to the very end in 1972. There are brilliant stops along the way with the Blanton/Webster edition of the band, and many of the '30s versions of his classics as well. Both parts of "Creole Rhapsody" are here, as are rather unexpected entries like "Stompy Jones," and "Self Portrait (Of a Bean)." There are better collections to be sure, but this is not one to discount for its cheesy title or for its sound, which is exceptionally good.