Duke Ellington's Far East Suite in Bloomington, MN

This third CD edition of
Duke Ellington
's masterwork,
Far East Suite
, recorded after two grueling tours of the Middle and Far East in the early- to mid-'60s, is, hopefully, the definitive version. Issued in 2003's
Bluebird First Editions
series, the album has been lovingly compiled to include a fine set of liner notes by
Stephanie Stein Crease
(the originals are also included on the back panel), as well as seven bonus tracks, all of which are alternate takes, five released here for the first time -- two of the four from the "Special Mix" edition" are here, while two more are left off. The endless repackages of
jazz
classics are becoming tedious, but this one is worth it. The alternates reveal not only works as they developed, such as the truly transcendent
"Isfahan,"
but even a newer alternate of
"Bluebird of Delhi."
This is one that
Ellington
aficionados need. ~ Thom Jurek