Search - Memories of Duke on DVD

Bad Memories of Duke!

David Spurgeon | Quebec | 10/09/2003

(1 out of 5 stars)

"For an Ellington fan, this DVD is a great disappointment. Both video and audio quality are absymal. The disc is supposed to be recorded in both Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround and 2-track stereo, but I have heard better sound on 78 rpms from the 1930s. Here it is distorted and muddy. The video is grainy. Even the performance of this magnificent band sounds uninspired. The only really worthwhile section is the Duke playing extended solo piano in the Mexican Suite, which is rarely heard. Many fine stereo vinyl recordings are available from 1968, when this film was shot, so why is its sound quality so poor? Fans of the Duke -- and the world of jazz in general -- deserve much better."

All the Sounds & Sights of Duke Ellingotn & Crew are Great!

Fred W Hood | Fayetteville, GA United States | 08/31/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"From the ancient, awesome 1968 sounds of The Duke and Crew of Ellingtonians, I was immersed in deep-seated dreamy reveries. Right off, Satin Doll, Creole Love Call, Happy-Go-Lucky Local, The Mooche, Mexican Suite, starring "The Piano Man," Duke Ellington, It Don't Mean A Thing if it Ain't Got that Swing! And Next, I Got It Bad and That Ain't Good And Black and Tan Fantasy.

Near the ending of the Duke's Mexican Tour comes, Mood Indigo, and Sophisticated Lady... finally starred His Top Alto Sax man, Johnny Hodges! I really was blown away hearing Cootie Williams, Lawrence Brown, Jeff Castleman, only long-hair, white Bassist, followed by Paul Gonsalves, Tenor Sax, their Pertly Swinging Singer, Trish Turner! Again it means Hoorahs from my all/time favorite, "The Piano Player." The Keyes fellow, who sandwiched these excerpts together from Mexican ++ other Tours deserves double Hoorah for pertinent Interviews with three side-men!

Inspite-of review canning their poor quality of sounds, being A Devil's Advocate, today's stereo sounds of 1968 Music Video even in 1980...Their Quality of Photography was well worth 90 Minutes to be repeated & repeated & repeated! From Retired Trombonist and Retired Chaplain, ++ Jazz Lover, Fred W Hood"

Great Music, Adequate Quality

G. Ratcheson | Washington | 04/08/2005

(3 out of 5 stars)

"Just got the dvd today. After reading the 1 star review below, I decided to compare this dvd to the original Atlantic Records VHS release which I also own.

Video: DVD is clearer, but the color balance is more accurate on the VHS. The DVD overemphasizes the red.

Audio: VHS is louder & with much less tape hiss. The dvd raised the highs (a good thing), but drastically increased the tape hiss (a bad thing) & mastered the audio at way too low of a level (a REALLY bad thing!).

Music & interviews: It's Duke, what more can I say!"