...And His Mother Called Him Bill
Studio album by
Duke Ellington
Released1968
RecordedAugust 28–November 15, 1967
Studio
GenreJazz
Length46:12 (Original LP) 71:52 (CD Re-issue)
LabelBluebird/RCA Records
ProducerSteve Backer, Brad McCuen
Duke Ellington chronology
North of the Border in Canada
(1967) 		...And His Mother Called Him Bill
(1968) 		Francis A. & Edward K.
(1967)

...And His Mother Called Him Bill is a studio album by Duke Ellington recorded in the wake of the 1967 death of his long-time collaborator, Billy Strayhorn. It won the Grammy Award for Best Large Jazz Ensemble Album in 1968.[1]

Background

Ellington recorded the album as a tribute to Billy Strayhorn, who died of esophageal cancer in May 1967.[2][3] Strayhorn was a composer, arranger, and one of Ellington's closest friends.[2]

Recording and music

The album was recorded in August and November 1967.[3] The material is Strayhorn's compositions, including some that had not previously been recorded.[2] Ellington chose the songs to demonstrate Strayhorn's versatility and range, as well as to pay homage to the qualities that he most admired in his late writing partner.[2]

"Blood Count" was Strayhorn's last composition, written for the Ellington Orchestra's 1967 concert at Carnegie Hall. Another piece with a medical-related title is "U.M.M.G.", short for 'Upper Manhattan Medical Group'.[3] The 1951 composition "Rock Skippin' at the Blue Note" showcases Cootie Williams, Jimmy Hamilton, and John Sanders.[2]

Reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[2]
The Penguin Guide to Jazz[3]

...And His Mother Called Him Bill won the Grammy Award for Best Large Jazz Ensemble Album in 1969.[4] The AllMusic reviewer wrote that, "For a man who issued well over 300 albums, this set is among his most profoundly felt and very finest recorded moments."[2] As the band was packing up to leave the session, Ellington remained at the piano, pouring his heart out on Strayhorn's "Lotus Blossom." Fortunately, the mic was open and the tape deck still running.

Track listing

All compositions by Billy Strayhorn except where noted

Side A

  1. Snibor - 4:13
  2. Boo-Dah - 3:26
  3. Blood Count - 4:16
  4. U.M.M.G. - 3:13
  5. Charpoy - 3:06
  6. After All - 3:51

Side B

  1. The Intimacy of the Blues - 2:57
  2. Raincheck - 4:35
  3. Day Dream - 4:23 (Strayhorn-Ellington)
  4. Rock Skippin' at the Blue Note - 3:01
  5. All Day Long - 2:56
  6. Lotus Blossom - 3:54
  7. Acht O'Clock Rock - 2:21 (Ellington)

Bonus Tracks

  1. Raincheck (Take 4) - 5:22
  2. Smada (Take 3) - 3:20 (Strayhorn-Ellington)
  3. Smada (Take 4) - 3:18
  4. Midriff - 4:34
  5. My Little Brown Book - 4:11
  6. Lotus Blossom (Piano Solo) - 4:55

Personnel

References

  1. ^ "11th Annual Grammy Award Winners 1968". Grammy.com. Archived from the original on 26 May 2020. Retrieved 31 August 2022.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g Jurek, Thom. "...And His Mother Called Him Bill". AllMusic. Archived from the original on August 12, 2018. Retrieved November 23, 2018.
  3. ^ a b c d Cook, Richard; Morton, Brian (2008). The Penguin Guide to Jazz Recordings (9th ed.). Penguin. p. 438. ISBN 978-0-141-03401-0.
  4. ^ "Duke Ellington". grammy.com. Archived from the original on March 24, 2019. Retrieved November 23, 2018.
  5. ^ "...And His Mother Called Him Bill - Duke Ellington | Credits | AllMusic". AllMusic. Archived from the original on 28 September 2017. Retrieved 28 September 2017.
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