1999 Ellis Marsalis - Duke in Blue {Columbia CK 63631} [CD]

01. The Mooche (5:19) 02. Prelude to a Kiss (5:59) 03. Squatty Roo (2:56) 04. Sophisticated Lady (5:12) 05. Just Squeeze Me (But Don't Tease Me) (5:17) 06. Mood Indigo (4:13) 07. Caravan (4:52) 08. Come Sunday (2:38) 09. Creole Love Call (3:56) 10. Reflections in D (3:41) 11. Drop Me Off in Harlem (3:37) 12. Melancholia (4:28) 13. Medley: I'm Beginning to See the Light/Do Nothin' Til You Hear from Me/In a Mellow Tone (3:49) 14. Duke in Blue (3:26)

Review by Scott Yanow Recorded during Duke Ellington's centennial year, this solo piano date by Ellis Marsalis is a tasteful tribute to Ellington. Marsalis expertly performs 15 songs from Duke's repertoire (including three tunes in a medley), sometimes modernizing the chords but always keeping the melody close by. The problem with the recital from the listener's standpoint is that the results are mostly very predictable and contain no real surprises. Marsalis' theme variations do not wander far from the melody, his treatments are conventional, and most of the songs are familiar warhorses. So although successful as background music or as an introduction to some of Ellington's most popular melodies, jazz listeners wanting more adventure and chance-taking may be a little disappointed by the safeness of it all.