A Drum Is a Woman
| A Drum Is a Woman | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
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| Studio album by Duke Ellington | ||||
| Released | 1956 | |||
| Recorded | September 17, 24, 25 & 28, October 23 and December 6, 1956 | |||
| Genre | Jazz | |||
| Label | Columbia | |||
| Duke Ellington chronology | ||||
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A Drum Is a Woman is a musical allegory by American pianist, composer and bandleader Duke Ellington, with many songs also written by Billy Strayhorn. It tells the story of Madam Zajj, the personification of African rhythm, and Carribee Joe, who has his roots firmly in the jungle with his drums. Zajj travels out into the world seeking fame and sophistication and melds with the influences of cultures she weaves through the story, which gives a brief history of the rise of Jazz and Bebop.
It was originally recorded for the Columbia label in 1956. On May 8, 1957 it produced for television on the US Steel hour.[1] The album was re-released on CD in 2004 with a bonus track. A stage performance was produced by Marc Stager June 24, 1988 at Symphony Space in New York City with pianist and arranger Chris Cherney leading the orchestra and Duke's son Mercer Ellington narrating.[2]
Reception
The Allmusic review by Scott Yanow awarded the album 2 stars and stated: "Dominated by vocals and narration, the music often plays a backseat to the story, which is worth hearing twice at the most".[3]
| Professional ratings | |
|---|---|
| Review scores | |
| Source | Rating |
| Allmusic |   [3] |
| The Rolling Stone Jazz Record Guide | [4] |
The New York Times reviewer John S. Wilson commented on the 1988 performance:
Unlike other extended Ellington works, which are primarily if not entirely instrumental, "A Drum Is a Woman" is developed through songs and a narration with only occasional full orchestral passages. It was powerful, rhythmic and kaleidoscopic, with a strong vocal anchor at Friday's performance in Claudia Hamilton, a commanding presence as Madam Zajj. Luke Dogen's Carabea [sic] Joe was a genial, good-time companion with a strong inner core that emerged in a positively stated love song, "You Better Know It."[5]
Track listing
All songs written and composed by Duke Ellington and Billy Strayhorn.
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "A Drum Is a Woman" | 3:36 |
| 2. | "Rhythm Pum Te Dum" | 2:53 |
| 3. | "What Else Can You Do with a Drum" | 1:50 |
| 4. | "New Orleans" | 2:29 |
| 5. | "Hey, Buddy Bolden" | 4:51 |
| 6. | "Carribee Joe" | 3:57 |
| 7. | "Congo Square" | 4:55 |
| 8. | "A Drum Is a Woman, Part 2" | 2:47 |
| 9. | "You Better Know It" | 2:45 |
| 10. | "Madam Zajj" | 2:47 |
| 11. | "Ballet of the Flying Saucers" | 5:33 |
| 12. | "Zajj's Dream" | 3:02 |
| 13. | "Rhumbop" | 2:16 |
| 14. | "Carribee Joe, Part 2" | 3:05 |
| 15. | "Finale" | 3:51 |
| 16. | "Pomegranate" (Bonus track on CD reissue) | 2:46 |
-
- Recorded at Columbia Records 30th Street Studio, New York on September 17 (tracks 1, 6, 7 & 13), September 24 (tracks 2 & 3), September 25 (tracks 5, 8, 10 & 14), September 28 (tracks 4 & 12), October 23 (track 11) & December 6 (tracks 9 & 15), 1956.
Personnel
- Duke Ellington – piano, narration
- Cat Anderson, Willie Cook, Ray Nance, Clark Terry – trumpet
- Quentin Jackson, Britt Woodman – trombone
- John Sanders – valve trombone
- Jimmy Hamilton – clarinet, tenor saxophone
- Rick Henderson – alto saxophone
- Russell Procope – alto saxophone, clarinet
- Paul Gonsalves – tenor saxophone
- Harry Carney – baritone saxophone
- Jimmy Woode – bass
- Sam Woodyard – - drums
- Candido Camero – percussion
- Joya Sherrill (5, 6, 12, 13, 14), Margaret Tynes (1, 8, 15, 16), Ozzie Bailey (3, 9, 15, 16) – vocals
References
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