Duke Ellington: It Don’t Mean a Thing (If It Ain’t Got That Swing)
Track
It Don't Mean a Thing (If It Ain't Got That Swing)
Artist
Duke Ellington (piano)
CD
Ken Burns Jazz: Duke Ellington (Columbia/Legacy 61444)
Musicians:
Duke Ellington (piano), Ivie Anderson (vocals), Arthur Whetsol (trumpet), Freddy Jenkins (trumpet), Cootie Williams (trumpet), Joe ‘Tricky Sam’ Nanton (trombone), Juan Tizol (trombone), Lawrence Brown (trombone), Johnny Hodges (alto sax), Barney Bigard (clarinet, tenor sax), Harry Carney (baritone sax), Fred Guy (banjo), Wellman Braud (bass), Sonny Greer (drums).
Composed by Duke Ellington & Irving Mills
.Recorded: New York, February 2, 1932
Rating: 96/100 (learn more)
As Gunther Schuller points out in The Swing Era, the composer of this song that named its era was hardly dogmatic about it, writing many meaningful pieces that didn't involve swing. This one, though, lives up to its title, with unforgettable turns by plunger specialist Tricky Sam, a surprisingly chromatic Hodges (sounding at times like Eric Dolphy's granddaddy), and the delightful Ivie Anderson, who from her opening "What tattoo?" to a hint of alley-cat lechery near the end generates irresistible . . . well, swing. "Just keep that rhythm," Ivie advises, practicing what she preaches. "Give it everything you've got." Now that's philosophy!
Reviewer: Alan Kurtz
Tags: 1930s jazz · it don’t mean a thing
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