Mosaic 8-LP: Complete Duke Ellington on Capitol

$

205

No Reserve.

Limited Edition 8-LP boxed set: The Complete Capitol Recording of Duke Ellington: Mosaic MQ8-160 [Limited Edition #2585/5000 /\ 8-LP set / pressed on heavy, audiophile grade vinyl / USA]. (Condition: records are like-new; box is near mint w/ no splits; the invaluable booklet is perfect w/ no tears, ceases or extraneous writing.) ||| These unusually fine sessions from 1953-1955 are generally under-rated and often ignored. In fairness, there is so much in Ellingtonia that in many ways it’s understandable. But not to the point of denying one's self of more Duke pleasures! (Life is long, you have plenty of time to listen to it all!).

The big band era was for all intents and purposes really dead. Even Basie & Goodman, popular big band era stalwarts, were disheartened, often doing small band sessions or performing guest spots as soloists. But to its credit, Capitol wasn’t cowed by the big-band business slump. (The label signed both Duke and Woody Herman to contracts, bless’em; and years later, lucky for us.) The big news in Ellingtonia was the departure of Johnny Hodges. (After a few years he returned, whew!) But without him, Duke found creative ways around the absence of Rabbit’s lead alto sound and solos. And, well of course, The Great Man had other arrows in his ample quiver -- Clark Terry, Cat Anderson, Ray Nance, Harry Carney, Paul Gonsalves, Butter Jackson, Britt Woodman & Jimmy Hamilton, to just name a few. It should be added that this period really re-introduced the jazz world to Duke Ellington...the pianist. He seemed to put himself out front a lot more in the orchestra setting and even further by doing some trio dates (included in this set). These piano dates are in some ways as interesting as the big band and couple of other combo sessions. /\ It could be argued perhaps, that his renowned creativity in the compositional area wasn’t as intense as it had been in the 30’s & 40s and even a few years hence. So while there is some new material represented, it’s rather that his superior arranging skills on older, classic material that seems to ring more truly. (That's not to say there isn't several really good new things -- hey this is The Duke!) /\ All in all, this is yet another interesting period in an incomparable career. /\ Original sessions were released variously as Premiered By Ellington; The Duke Plays Ellington; Ellington ‘55 (One of his best albums of the modern period); Dance To The Duke; Ellington Showcase; The Best of Duke Ellington. There’s also some material that is original to the CDs Piano Reflections and Capitol Sings Duke. || [RE: DK] || Notes on mailing and mailing charges are in the following paragraphs. ||

Notes on mailing: I can send this item to anywhere in the U.S. via Media Mail (w/ Delivery confirmation) for $6.50. /\ U.S. Priority Mail is now Zone Rated, meaning that distance is considered in rates. eBay provides a line in the auction-end ‘user form’ for the winner’s Zip Code (or mailing Country). Be sure to provide your Zip Code (or Country) in this line in order to save time in communications. /\ Both U.S. Priority charges and International Rates will be quoted after I get the package’s country of destination. Please keep in mind that the package will weigh approximately 5 Lbs. 1 oz, which for International bidders will put the package over the four pound limit for the cheaper Letter-Post delivery. But on the other hand, it makes it insurable. Thanks, Berigan

1.) I only use USPS.

2.) I guarantee that packages will be correctly addressed and safely packed. (That’s why I ask buyers to respond via email with their mailing address. I cut it out and tape it to the address label.)

3.) I will take NO Responsibility for LOSS of UNINSURED packages. I’ll say it another way, no refunds on lost packages, if they are not insured.

4.) I know that this can be a hardship, especially for International Buyers due to the prohibitive expense of mailing & insuring Parcel Post, which is the only way insured packages can be sent outside of the USA. Insurance is not available for the cheaper Letter-Post delivery. Yet keep in mind that out of about 1500 items that we’ve mailed outside the U.S., throughout the world, only a mere handful (perhaps 6 or 7) has not been delivered. So the odds are extremely good that International Packages will arrive safely. But the buyer (domestic or international) is the one who takes the chance.

5.) This goes for domestic items too: no refunds on undelivered, uninsured packages. As to insured domestic packages: it is the responsibility of the buyer to collect insurance on these items. I will provide all appropriate sales documentation; and if necessary, the proper postal forms to the buyer.

Not to put too fine of a point on it -- but if you don’t feel that you can live with the above caveats -- don’t bid on my items. If you are interested in even more information, I deal with this morbid subject in even greater, excruciating detail on my Website (see above link). Thanks for your time. Regards, Berigan