"From the better recorded 1963-64 performances in London it is especially difficult to isolate outstanding moments, primarily because the band now boasted in its ranks, in addition to Ray Nance, Lawrence Brown, Hodges, Carney, and Jimmy Hamilton, who all soared before, such more recent additions and substitutions as Cootie Williams, Cat Anderson, Paul Gonsalves, and the band’s most swinging drummer ever, Sam Woodyard. Virtually every performance on the London date, including the extended “wailing interval” solo by Gonsalves on “Diminuendo and Crescendo in Blue,” is a winner." --Jazz Times

"This previously issued material (released on a single CD by Music Masters) features the Duke Ellington Orchestra during a very busy era. The veteran musicians were getting older but their very individual voices were still powerful, and Ellington was far from running out of gas at this point. The five standards taken from the earlier performance date from the brief period when both Cootie Williams and Ray Nance were in the trumpet section while the later pieces are highlighted by "Caravan" (featuring the mighty Williams), an early version of "Isfahan," a rare Ernie Shephard vocal on "Take the 'A' Train," and a fine rendition of "Harlem."--All Music Guide

TRACK LISTING

1 Take the "A" Train (Instrumental Intro) (Live in London, February 20, 1964) Duke Ellington and His Orchestra 00:56

2 Spoken Introduction by Duke Ellington (Live in London, January 22, 1963) Duke Ellington 00:00

3 Perdido (Live in London, February 20, 1964) Duke Ellington and His Orchestra 00:00

4 Caravan (Live in London, February 20, 1964) Duke Ellington and His Orchestra 05:20

5 Isfahan (Live in London, February 20, 1964) Duke Ellington and His Orchestra 04:29

6 The Opener (Live in London, February 20, 1964) Duke Ellington and His Orchestra USMU10820892 03:10

7 Harlem (Live in London, February 20, 1964) Duke Ellington and His Orchestra USMU10820893 15:00

8 Take the "A" Train (Vocal) (Live in London, February 20, 1964) Duke Ellington and His Orchestra USMU10820894 03:24

9 Mood Indigo (Live in London, January 22, 1963) Duke Ellington and His Orchestra USMU10820895 02:47

10 C Jam Blues (Live in London, January 22, 1963) Duke Ellington and His Orchestra USMU10820896 03:24

11 Don't Get Around Much Anymore (Live in London, January 22, 1963) Duke Ellington and His Orchestra USMU10820897 03:09

12 Diminuendo And Crescendo In Blue (Live in London, January 22, 1963) Duke Ellington and His Orchestra USMU10820898 11:22

13 Single Petal Of A Rose (Live in London, January 22, 1963) Duke Ellington USMU10820899 04:05

14 Kinda Dukish & Rockin' In Rhythm (Live in London, February 20, 1964) Duke Ellington and His Orchestra USMU10820900 05:05