Duke Ellington Plays the Blues

Duke Ellington Plays the Blues
Studio album by
Duke Ellington and his famous orchestra
Released1947
LabelRCA Victor
Duke Ellington chronology
Black, Brown and Beige
(1946)		 Duke Ellington Plays the Blues
(1947)		 Ellington Special
(1947)

Duke Ellington Plays the Blues is an album of phonograph records credited to "Duke Ellington and his famous orchestra", released by RCA Victor in 1947.[1][2]

Release

The album was originally released as a set of four 10-inch 78-rpm phonograph records (catalog no. P 182).[1][2]

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
Billboardpositive[1]

Billboard reviewed the album in its issue from September 13, 1947, writing: "It's the very epitome of Ellingtonia in these eight sides being released for the first time by the label. Recorded just before the maestro left the label, it's the Ellington scoring and shading at its best for these blues patterns." The reviewer concluded that the album would "make for a notable addition to the Ellington library on records."[1]

Track listing

Set of four 10-inch 78-rpm records (RCA Victor P 182)[2]

Side 1
No.TitleWriter(s)Note(s)Length
1."Royal Garden Blues"Clarence and Spencer WilliamsDuke Ellington and his orchestra 
Side 2
No.TitleWriter(s)Note(s)Length
1."Frankie and Johnnie"Arranged by Duke EllingtonDuke Ellington and his rhythm 
Side 3
No.TitleWriter(s)Note(s)Length
1."Memphis Blues"W. C. HandyDuke Ellington and his orchestra 
Side 4
No.TitleWriter(s)Note(s)Length
1."Pretty Woman"Duke EllingtonDuke Ellington and his orchestra
Vocal refrain by Al Hibbler		 
Side 5
No.TitleWriter(s)Note(s)Length
1."Beale Street Blues"W. C. HandyDuke Ellington and his orchestra 
Side 6
No.TitleWriter(s)Note(s)Length
1."Transblucency (A Blue Fog That You Can Almost See Through)"Lawrence Brown—Duke EllingtonDuke Ellington and his orchestra
Vocal: Kay Davis		 
Side 7
No.TitleWriter(s)Note(s)Length
1."St. Louis Blues"W. C. HandyDuke Ellington and his orchestra
Vocal refrain by Marion Cox		 
Side 8
No.TitleWriter(s)Note(s)Length
1."Drawing Room Blues"Duke Ellington—Billy StrayhornDuke Ellington and Billy Strayhorn and one piano 

LP re-release

10-inch LP (RCA Victor LPM 3067, 1952)[3]

Side 1
No.TitleLength
1."Royal Garden Blues" 
2."Frankie and Johnnie" 
3."Memphis Blues" 
4."Pretty Woman" 
Side 2
No.TitleLength
1."Beale Street Blues" 
2."Transblucency (A Blue Fog That You Can Almost See Through)" 
3."St. Louis Blues" 
4."Drawing Room Blues" 

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 "Album reviews". Billboard. September 13, 1947. p. 117. Retrieved May 7, 2026.
  2. 1 2 3 "Duke Ellington And His Famous Orchestra – Duke Ellington Plays The Blues – 4 x Shellac (Hollywood Pressing, 10", 78 RPM, Album), 1947". 1947. Retrieved May 7, 2026 – via Discogs.
  3. ↑ "Duke Ellington And His Orchestra – Duke Ellington Plays The Blues – Vinyl (LP, 10" + 2 more), 1952". 1952 – via Discogs.
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