The Hellingtunes

by Eugene Chadbourne

Overview

This unusual tribute to Duke Ellington uses the cut-up techniques of author William Burroughs to sketch scores for pieces only peripherally sounding like the big band master. Nonetheless, this largely successful recording is a creative and imaginative pastiche of styles, featuring strong improvising, particularly from piano basher Pat Thomas and clarinetist and alto saxophonist Alex Ward. The group's leader, Eugene Chadbourne, displays remarkable arranging skills while subordinating his fine banjo and guitar to the total sound. While blips of old Ellington recordings are occasionally inserted, don't expect to hear too much from the Duke's repertoire. These are freestyle transformations, with dissonance, blues, swing, and outside styling all blending in a stew that jumps and bubbles. Rounding out the sextet are Paul Lovens on drums and cymbals, Carrie Shull on oboe, and Leslie Ross on bassoon and shawm. One of Chadbourne's finer efforts. ~ Steve Loewy

Product Details

Release Date:	01/01/2010
Label:	Emi Music Distribution / Intakt Records
UPC:	7619942505226
Rank:	260601

Tracks

1. Mysterious Stash
2. Total Tuesday
3. Cool Dream
4. Hawk Jungle
5. The Cricket in My Live
6. Gentle Happening Vals
7. Spotted That Red
8. Way Twitch
9. Gentle Happening

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Eugene Chadbourne   Primary Artist,Banjo,Guitar
Eugene Chadbourne & the Hellingtunes   Primary Artist
Leslie Ross   Shawm,Bassoon
Paul Lovens   Drums,Cymbals,Musical Saw
Carrie Shull   Oboe

Technical Credits

Leslie Ross   Composer
Alex Ward   Composer
Eugene Chadbourne   Composer,Mastering,Liner Notes
Carrie Shull   Composer
Paul Lovens   Composer
Pat Thomas   Composer
Francesca Pfeffer   Photography