Göteborgs konserthus
First few tunes of the “long” medley
The 2nd part of the concert starts with two versions of Boo-Dah, with Duke telling a small story about the composer of this tune, Billy Strayhorn. This has been issued on Musica Jazz LP MJP 1005, a fairly long time ago.
The next number, Hi Fi Fo Fum is mainly a drum solo for Sam Woodyard which was first heard at the Newport Jazz Festival in July the same year. It was obviously an attempt to repeat the success from the early 50-ies with Skin Deep and Louie Bellson. This version of Hi Fi Fo Fum has not been commercially issued.The “long” Medley has never been issued in its entirety before. (The short Medley being Black And Tan Fantasy, Creole Love Call and The Mooche). Funnily enough, the two main LP-sources for this concert, Black Lion and Musica Jazz have omitted the opening part, Don’t Get Around Much Anymore and Do Nothin’ Till You Hear From Me as well as the closing part I Let A Song Go Out Of My Heart and Don’t Get Around Much Anymore. It would be interesting to know the reason for this.
6 November was obviously Ozzie Bailey’s birthday, because Happy Birthday To You was dedicated to him.
The closing number of the concert, Diminuendo and Crescendo In Blue, separated by the Wailing Interval has, as the previous number, never been issued commercially. Black Lion (The Famous 5 LP Box) chose to use the recording from the first concert instead.
Unfortunately, there is no review of Ellington’s concert in Gothenburg but Orkesterjournalen had one of the concert in Stockholm on Nov. 4th. It can be read here.