Earl Hines Once Upon A Time CD

For reasons that are unclear, this LP reissue of an Impulse set drops one of the seven songs ("Black and Tan Fantasy") from the program, reducing the playing time down to a mere 29 minutes. But if one finds this LP at a budget price, it is worth picking up, for the great pianist Earl Hines is featured on three selections with many of the members of the Duke Ellington Orchestra (including on the exciting "Once Upon a Time" and "Cotton Tail"), in a quartet featuring Jimmy Hamilton and with a nonet that also includes clarinetist Pee Wee Russell along with some Ellingtonians. Great music, lousy packaging. ~ Scott Yanow

Recorded in New York, New York on January 10-11, 1966. Originally released on Impulse (9108).

Personnel: Earl Hines (piano); Jimmy Hamilton (clarinet, tenor saxophone); Pee Wee Russell (clarinet); Johnny Hodges, Russell Procope (alto saxophone); Harold Ashby, Paul Gonsalves (tenor saxophone); Clark Terry, Ray Nance, Cat Anderson (trumpet); Lawrence Brown , Buster Cooper (trombone); Elvin Jones, Sonny Greer (drums).

Liner Note Author: Stanley Dance.

Recording information: 01/10/1966/01/11/1966.

Photographer: Charles Stewart.

Personnel includes: Earl Hines (piano); Ray Nance (vocals, trumpet); Jimmy Hamilton (tenor saxophone, clarinet); Johnny Hodges, Russell Procope (alto saxophone); Harold Ashby, Paul Gonsalves (tenor saxophone); Cat Anderson, Bill Berry, Clark Terry (trumpet); Lawrence Brown, Buster Cooper (trombone); Pee Wee Russell (clarinet); Aaron Bell, Richard Davis (bass); Sonny Greer, Elvin Jones (drums).

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