One of the outcomes of DESS Ellington Meeting 2022 was a list of Ellington songs that the participants wanted to hear more regularly. I have lost the list but it has inspired me to have a regular feature in the Ellington Galaxy with such songs. I am not exactly sure what is the best format for this but here is a test.
For it, I have chosen In A Sentimental Mood. It was Ellington’s first song to get onto the pop charts
It was recorded on April 30, 1935, for the Brunswick label (Brunswick Br 7461) and was an immediate success. It got on the pop charts within a few montha, July 14, 1935 to be exact and reached position 14.
The key to the success must have been that In a Sentimental Mood is a simple AABA song with slow rhythm, good for listening and dancing and for falling in love. It got the kids in the right mood.
Otto Hardwick came up with the general theme but then Ellington took over and made it into a full song. Among other things, Ellington added a move into the flat sixth in the bridge. Irving Mills and Manny Kurz provided lyrics but as far as I know, Ellington never recorded or performed it with a vocalist.
Ellington’s “story” about In a Sentimental Mood is: “I was playing in Durham, North Carolina and had to act as a peacemaker between two girls, who had been fighting , by dedicating a new song to them”.
Ellington kept In a Sentimental Mood in his repertoire until the early 1970’s but as part of the medley in his concert repertoire.
The last full version of song is the one recorded by RCA-Victor on May 14, 1945
Many of the great swingbands of the 1930’s recorded In a Sentimental Mood and Benny Goodman was among the first one. He did it more than a year after Ellington. He was quickly joined by Jimmy Dorsey, Mills Blue Rhythm Band, Ben Polack and other bands.
Goodman beat Ellington on the pop charts by reaching position 13. Also Mills Blue Rhythm Band got there but stopped in position 19.
From the 1930’s, let’s take a jump to the 1960’s and 1970’s. In a Sentimental Mood were still played in some circles of jazz muscians. Let’s hear some examples.
Bill Evans also played it frequently and then there is of cours John Coltrane’s and Duke Ellington’s version on the Impulse album Duke Ellington & John Coltrane – the best of all versions!
That’s all folks but I am happy to have your comments and proposals
Author: Ulf Lundin