One of the best blues albums ever recorded

1959 a good year in the career of pianist Duke Ellington and Johnny Hodges alto saxophonist. Norman Granz continues its momentum by playing together the most talented musicians of the moment. This disc is unusual in the careers of two friends:
1. Once is not custom, the Duke does not direct an orchestra but a sextet. The list of attendants, all luxury sidemen, impresses: Harry "Sweets" Edison on trumpet, Les Spann on guitar, Al Hall and Sam Jones on bass and Jo Jones on drums.
2. No song is an original composition signed Ellington, Hodges or another member of the group: all pieces are interpreted New Orleans standards which, except Wabash Blues, were Louis Armstrong tubes in the 1950s musicians abandoned their "flamboyant" style for the play-efficient (but not talented efficient). They certainly play ultra-famous blues but jazz is never far away and it is this that gives its distinctive coloration to this fabulous album. The amateur will notice that the tempos were particularly extended.
3. Neither Ellington nor Hodges pulled the blanket to her, like many albums produced by Granz, we are witnessing a collaboration between friends and not to confrontation: each musician improvises (hence the relative "restraint" of the Duke) before joining his friends in splendid chorus. What beauty in the alto sax duets-trumpet "Basin Steet Blues".