Plays With The Original Motion Picture Score From Walt Disney's "Mary Poppins"

by Duke Ellington

Description by OLDIES.com:

A CD reissue of Ellington's 1964 album on which he and his musicians interpret songs from Walt Disney's "Mary Poppins." Soloists include Johnny Hodges, Cootie Williams, Paul Gonslaves and others.

Product Description:

Composer/Lyricists: Richard M. Sherman; Robert M. Sherman.

Personnel: Duke Ellington (piano); Russell Procope (clarinet, alto saxophone, trombone); Jimmy Hamilton (clarinet, tenor saxophone); Johnny Hodges (alto saxophone); Paul Gonsalves (tenor saxophone); Harry Carney (baritone saxophone); Cootie Williams, Herbie Jones, Nat Woodard, Cat Anderson (trumpet); Lawrence Brown , Chuck Connors, Buster Cooper (trombone); John Lamb (double bass); Sam Woodyard (drums).

Arranger: Billy Strayhorn.

Yes, it's true--the Duke Ellington band did actually make a whole album of songs from MARY POPPINS. Allegedly recorded at the request of Walt Disney himself, this selection of songs from the popular movie is remarkable both for its existence and for its imaginative Billy Strayhorn arrangements. While the source material is inescapably Disney fare, Strayhorn and Ellington work a kind of magic, transforming these children's songs into blues and bebop workouts. The tongue-twisting "Supercalifragelisticexpialidocious" is one of the main beneficiaries of the bebop treatment, while on "Chim Chim Cheree" Russell Procope's lyrical clarinet playing is prominently featured. Even in a one-on-one contest with Mickey Mouse, the Ellington orchestra comes out on top.