[Erasmus]

One of my favorite recordings is an album titled “Masterpieces by Ellington,” which I discovered in 1960 at a radio station. I aired selections from it whenever I could.

The length of the arrangements was such that the LP contained only four selections.

In addition to some classics was a major new work, “The Tattooed Bride.” The disc having been released in 1950, I think this classifies as a late-period composition.

It was from this album that I became an Ellington fan. I got to shake his hand a year or so later after a concert and complemented him particularly on his work on this album.

He said, of course, “Love you Madly!”

The CD of this album is hard to find, but I finally did locate one about fifteen years ago.

[GodBlessRonaldReagan]

Ellington was a monster! One of my fave LPs of his is a radio concert from the end of WWII - the 6 minute romp through “Body and Soul” is one of the most sublime things I’ve ever heard. We miss you, Duke!

[Mr. Mojo]

"Masterpieces" was Duke's first go at the brand new (at the time) 33 1/2 rpm LP format, and he of course took full advantage of the possibilities. Fidelty was outstanding, and he recorded extented pieces for the first time. ....including "The Tattooed Bride" (the best song that record, imo).

Yeah, Ellington's late period begins in 1950, so "Masterpieces" was the first. Whoa, you got to see the maestro in concert, shake his hand, and get a "Love you Madly" out of him to top it off?! Doesn't get better than that, musically. I became a fan in the early '80s (in my early 20s), about 10 years after his death.