Tuesday 17 September 2019

Bottomless Pockets?


An Ellington recording that costs $17.00 a minute? That's the 48 minute bargain currently up for bidding at eBay. I may have to pass on that one...


On 29 May, 1970, Duke Ellington and his Orchestra appeared at Mount Abbey Angel Library,  Mount Angel, Oregon in a performance commemorating the dedication of the library. 


Pockets, as far as I'm aware, was performed by the Ellington orchestra only once for this occasion. Approximately 62 minutes of the performance is available to view on Vimeo.

The reel-to-reel currently for auction is not therefore a complete record of the appearance. Whether it is of better audio quality than the surviving video available to view (freely!) on Vimeo, I am never likely to be in the financial position to be able to say! The photographs from the listing do give some useful information to add to our knowledge of this unique occasion in the Ellingtonian calendar.

The original listing reads...

Duke Ellington and is Orchestra Live Recording to Reel to Reel , Mount Angel Abbey Library Mount Angel Oregon May 29th 1970.
I tested the Reel on a Sony-O-Matic and it was in VERY good condition, maybe very little or any play(please see photos). The box includes a Polaroid, newspaper clippings about the show, show flyer, notes on songs played. and other notes.It's played at 7 1/2.

Interested parties may bid here.













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