Edward Kennedy “Duke” Ellington (April 29, 1899 – May 24, 1974) was an American composer, pianist and leader of a jazz orchestra….which he led from 1923 until his death over a career spanning more than six decades. Ellington was shortlisted for the Pulitzer Prize for Music in 1965….but no prize was ultimately awarded that year…..when at 66 years old, he joked that…
“Amanda“ is a 1973 song written by Bob McDill….while being recorded by both Don Williams in 1973 and Waylon Jennings in 1974….which was Waylon Jennings’s eighth solo # 1 on the country chart. The single stayed at # 1 for three weeks on the Billboard Hot Country Singles chart. As recorded by Jennings, “Amanda” had been a track on his 1974 album The Ramblin’ Man….but…
“Feelin’ Alright“ is a song written by Dave Mason of the English rock band Traffic for their eponymous 1968 album Traffic….which was also released as a single….while reaching # 123 on the US charts….but failed to chart in the UK….after which Joe Cocker performed a more popular rendition of the song….as both Traffic’s and Cocker’s versions appear in the 2012 movie Flight. The song had…
“El Paso“ is a country and western ballad written and originally recorded by Marty Robbins….while first being released on his Gunfighter Ballads and Trail Songs album in September 1959….and was released as a single the following month….as it became a major hit on both the country and pop music charts….after reaching # 1 in both at the start of 1960….plus, It won the Grammy Award for Best Country &…
“Do Nothing till You Hear from Me“ is a song with music by Duke Ellington….and lyrics by Bob Russell…. which was originated as a 1940 instrumental….“Concerto for Cootie”….that was designed to highlight the playing of Ellington’s lead trumpeter, Cootie Williams….whereas Russell’s words were added later. In 1944, Ellington’s own recording of the song was a # 1 hit on the R&B chart for eight…
“Ode to Joy“ is an ode (poem) written in the summer of 1785 by German poet, playwright, and historian Friedrich Schiller….and published the following year in Thalia. A slightly revised version appeared in 1808, changing two lines of the first and omitting the last stanza. “Ode to Joy” is best known for its use by Ludwig van Beethoven in the final (fourth) movement of…