Duke Ellington, Blood Count (Billy Strayhorn)

[Kroposky]

youtube.com/watch?v=whSdoV_Yz-­E

[robyatkins]

Got an old Duke concert years before this and Hodges plays something much like this and it's credited as Passion Flower. And yes, I do know that Passion is on this album but it's not that!

[arias4me]

Beautiful and so very sad.  Thank you for uploading.

[MidnightJazzer]

Stellar composition, probably some of the best arranging, at the hight of his carrier and most influential of sessions, after Stayhorns passing, signature Ellington arranging, with laud brass bridges are perfect just like they.

[MagicRain505]

My god, Johnny goes off in this one...

[animallog]

can't hear this without crying...

[Laoban1]

haunting, just like a soul is about to experience death...

[MrJoebupkis]

Hyptnotizing...mesmerizing. Simply beautiful.

[jaime52]

@MrJoebupkis Agree!

[CYisThelonius]

This is so beautiful. I'm in awe.

[FrankBugZappa]

This is pretty much the saddest a song can be without having words

[dhisbrook]

The great Strayhorn's last composition - when he was dying of cancer - ironically named "Blood Count." Awesome. I've never heard it before today. It's sad and beautiful and monumental.

[povonodo]

Just fantastic!

[operasona888]

nice music

[deepkeel65]

This stands right alongside Stan Getz's playing of this tune as one of the two greatest performances of it. There is no "best" - they are both great, haunting, and beautiful.

[fromthesidelines]

...and Ellington earned (and DESERVED) a Grammy for the album as well.

[newkbean]

hremdldw

Please don't forget - "to quote your Zeus line" - jesus in that case: Johnny Hodges!!!

[prezglick4]

The greatest alto player ever,playing music composed by the greatest composer ever.

By the way,Strayhorn did not compose this as he lay dying. The tune was composed years earlier and was first called "Elf". Ellington choose to record it on "And His Mother....." and changed the title. Strayhorn did the same thing on "Star Crossed Lovers" It was called "Pretty Little Girl".

[itselltee]

re: prezglick4's comments -

Not sure which is true, but I've always heard that "Elf" was the original name of "Isfahan" (a different Strayhorn composition), and that the "Blood Count" piece of music was given to Ellington without a name attached, just titled "manuscript" (though I've read that Strayhorn did initially call it "Blue Cloud").

In any case, I'm definitely onboard with your praise of Hodges and Ellington! This performance remains one of my favorites.

[btinsley1]

imagine what was going through his head while terminally ill and in the midst of composing this piece...

[israelight1]

Wow!! it's said he wrote this to the sound of the dripping in his IV bag

[Prototype4377]

@israelight1 He pretty much did. He was in the hospital and he was originally writing it with the title "Blue Cloud", but as he became obsessed over his declining health, he changed the title. It ended up being the last song he ever wrote.

[phatmandee]

Stunning, I am asked to sing "Lush Life" at an event later this month, in Pittsburgh at the Kelly/Strayhorn Theater, so I am doing more research on Strayhorn in general and came across this song, and it really is just so lovely. What do you think of the lyrics that Elvis Costello wrote for it?

[sofullyours]

Oh my goodness. The lyrics are beautiful. Thank you for mentioning this. I wish I could see you sing at your event. How exciting!

My Flame Burns Blue

As the last light glimmers

And the evening hours dim

Maybe I'm too proud to utter it out loud

Even though my flame burns blue

As the night's descending

Once again I find I'll tarry and pretend

My confidential friend

Will suddenly appear in view

[sofullyours]

All my might Between velvet and dynamite Blow out the doors Let in the light Falling dust in the beam And a small stifled scream Alibis and decoys Were his eyes so turquoise? Covered with a lash They flatter and they flash Even though my flame burns blue

[sofullyours]

If I seem a stranger

I feel far from danger

We tamper and we toy

With passion over joy

Even though my flame burns blue

Even though the fire that once was desire

Doesn't look for trouble or dare to flare

Look now

And I won't be there

[chargeboy]

I love this song so much, Im going to be cliché and say I love how haunting it is

[eroc70]

Nice info. You seem like you understand Ellington. Have u heard any of the later stuff like the afro-Eurasian eclipse and New Orleans suite?

[hremdldw]

Billy,Johnny My Lord My Lord All Beauty All the time.With the greatest Band ever With the greatest Band leader ever Edward K. Ellington.When Strayhorn,Blanton,Nance and Webster came into band it changed Duke forever.Duke was one of the few band leaders who was albe too change and stay up with newer bands and with the body of work he had already established,the equivalent of Zeus looking down on mere mortals.Sofullyours thank you for uploading this audio tribute to Billy Strayhorn.