The liner notes neglect to mention in what year this April 29th birthday performance was recorded, but given the orchestra's lineup and set choices, 1953 or 1954 is likely. Unlike the majority of recently-discovered live tapes, this dance at Portland's McElroy's Ballroom was professionally recorded (by the great engineer Wally Heider) and so the sound is astonishing. This five-CD series is easily the best representation we have of Ellington's early-'50s lineup in an intimate ballroom dance setting.
Happy Birthday, Duke!, Vol.1 {42:04}
01. Lullaby of Birdland (3:06)
02. Time on My Hands (You in My Arms) (5:35)
03. Don't Worry 'Bout Me (4:18)
04. Take the "A" Train (4:59)
05. Liza (All the Clouds'll Roll Away) (5:55)
06. Creole Love Call (4:11)
07. Boodah (4:04)
08. Stomp, Look & Listen (4:11)
09. Happy-Go-Lucky Local (5:45)
Happy Birthday, Duke!, Vol.2 {46:37}
01. Summertime (2:29)
02. Warm Valley (4:40)
03. Sultry Serenade (4:10)
04. Hy-Ah Sue (8:01)
05. Sophisticated Lady (5:26)
06. I Let a Song Go Out of My Heart/Don't Get Around Much Anymore (3:59)
07. Just Squeeze Me (But Don't Tease Me) (4:14)
08. Caravan (4:27)
09. Perdido (5:18)
10. Without a Song (3:53)
Happy Birthday, Duke!, Vol.3 {47:14}
01. Things Ain't What They Used to Be (8:16)
02. The Hawk Talks (3:28)
03. C Jam Blues (5:11)
04. Tenderly (3:43)
05. All the Things You Are (5:15)
06. Solitude (2:24)
07. She Moved (7:39)
08. Happy Birthday to You (0:32)
09. Mood Indigo (5:55)
10. Trumpet No End (Blue Skies) (3:45)
11. Take the "A" Train (1:06)
Happy Birthday, Duke!, Vol.4 {38:51}
01. Coffee & Kisses (3:14)
02. Johnny Come Lately (2:46)
03. (Maybe I Should) Change My Ways (3:32)
04. Primping at the Prom (2:39)
05. Band Call (3:40)
06. Satin Doll (3:17)
07. Blue Jean Beguine (3:37)
08. Tulip or Turnip (Tell Me, Tell Me, Dream Face) (3:07)
09. Honeysuckle Rose (5:13)
10. Theme for Trambeam (2:55)
11. Blue Moon (4:51)
Happy Birthday, Duke!, Vol.5 {39:00}
01. V.I.P.'s Boogie (2:52)
02. Jam with Sam (4:04)
03. Bunny Hop Mambo (3:59)
04. Isle of Capri (3:39)
05. Take the "A" Train (3:52)
06. Take the "A" Train (3:35)
07. Flamingo (2:59)
08. I Got It Bad, and That A'int Good/I'm Just a Lucky So-and-So (3:45)
09. Ballin' the Blues (9:20)
10. Satin Doll (0:55)
