Duke Ellington: Washington Wobble

As a tribute, this track serves double duty. "Washington Wobble" can refer to the Evergreen State, with its Cascadia subduction-zone earthquake potential. Alternatively, discographer Tom Lord reports that the title may have originally been "Washington Wabble," which suggests Elmer Fudd describing our elected or appointed officials and their well-heeled lobbyists in Ellington's birthplace DC. Either way, this is far from the Maestro's best. Audio is poor, with Braud's bass thumpings particularly problematical. Tempo is erratic, especially during Duke's rushed stride-piano turn. The second clarinet solo (probably by Jackson) is awful. And ensembles are out of sync. Elmer's verdict? "Washington Wubble."