Skip navigation
Scripting is disabled or not working. dustygroove.com requires JavaScript to function correctly.
Style sheets are disabled or not working. dustygroove.com requires style sheets to function correctly.
CD, LP, Vinyl record album cover art
Enlarge       Note

Back To Back

LP (Item 48625) Verve, 1959 — Condition: Near Mint-
Also available
Duke Ellington & Johnny Hodges — Back To Back ... CD 4.99
Duke Ellington makes a rare Verve appearance on this classic album – and works strongly in the mode of earlier sides recorded for the label by Johnny Hodges! There's a relaxed, small group feel going on here – one that's a bit different than some of the tighter Ellington work on Columbia during the 50s, and which almost paves the way for some of the more intimate piano sides that Duke would record during the 60s. In a way, Hodges is almost at the lead – given how comfortable he is here in a Verve setting – and other players include Harry Edison on trumpet, Les Spann on guitar, Sam Jones on bass, and Jo Jones on drums. The real charm, as always, is Hodges' solos, lean, mean, raspy, and soulful – and titles include "Weary Blues", "Royal Garden Blues", "Loveless Love", "St Louis Blues", and "Wabash Blues".  © 1996-2023, Dusty Groove, Inc.
(MGM stereo pressing – a great copy!)

Near Mint - (minus)

  • Black vinyl that may show a slight amount of dust or dirt.
  • Should still be very shiny under a light, even with slight amount of dust on surface.
  • One or two small marks that would make an otherwise near perfect record slightly less so. These marks cannot be too deep, and should only be surface marks that won't affect play, but might detract from the looks.
  • May have some flaws and discoloration in the vinyl, but only those that would be intrinsic to the pressing. These should disappear when the record is tilted under the light, and will only show up when looking straight at the record. (Buddah and ABC pressings from the 70's are a good example of this.)
  • May have some slight marks from aging of the paper sleeve on the vinyl.
  • Possible minor surface noise when played.

Additional Marks & Notes

If something is noteworthy, we try to note it in the comments — especially if it is an oddity that is the only wrong thing about the record. This might include, but isn't limited to, warped records, tracks that skip, cover damage or wear as noted above, or strictly cosmetic flaws.



You might be interested


Duke Ellington & Johnny Hodges

Side By Side
Verve, 1959. Very Good
A great little session that builds on the strength of Johnny Hodges' small group 50s sessions for Verve – and which lets Duke Ellington in on some of the action! The format is nicely stripped-down throughout – featuring Hodges in sextet and septet formation with players who include Ben ... LP, Vinyl record album
Verve, 1960s. Very Good Gatefold
A great little collection of Jimmy's tight tight tight Hammond sides cut for Verve during the 60s – with backings by Oliver Nelson and Lalo Schifrin, plus a few other sides in smaller combo format. Tracks include "Walk On The Wild Side", "Ol Man River", "The Cat" ... LP, Vinyl record album
Verve, Late 50s. Near Mint-
A great little session – and a meeting that was one of the best things to happen to the Oscar Peterson trio during the 50s! Stan's tone fits perfectly with the group here – and his playing next to the guitar of Herb Ellis recalls many of the fine strengths of the early 50s Getz sides ... LP, Vinyl record album
Verve, 1953/1954. Near Mint- 2LP Gatefold
Two wonderful early 50s albums recorded by Count Basie for Verve – both sessions aimed at the dancefloor, and served up with an undeniably soulful groove! The style here is hard and swinging – the older Basie mode refined for the 50s – thanks to arrangements by Ernie Wilkins, ... LP, Vinyl record album

Tal Farlow

Tal
Verve, 1956. Very Good-
Tal Farlow was one of the all-time greats of jazz guitar during the 50s, and an album like this captures him at his finest! The set's a no-nonsense batch of tracks that features Tal with a trio that includes Eddie Costa on piano and Vinnie Burke on bass – a wonderfully understated lineup ... LP, Vinyl record album
Verve, Late 50s. Very Good-
One of Stitt's classic Verve sides – a mellow late-night session done with a west coast soul jazz quartet that includes Lou Levy on piano, Leroy Vinnegar on bass, and Mel Lewis on drums. Tracks are short, but Stitt's tone is impeccable – and the album's a key one for moving him away ... LP, Vinyl record album

Oscar Peterson & Milt Jackson

Very Tall
Verve, 1961. Very Good+ Gatefold
Milt Jackson joins the Oscar Peterson Trio – helping the group to hit some great new space with his magical work on vibes! Jackson's got an open, airy feel – an approach that almost lets Peterson punctuate the tunes a bit more with his piano – while the pair get strong rhythmic ... LP, Vinyl record album
Verve, 1951. Very Good
Charlie Parker in a Latin mode – one of those ideas that shouldn't work that well, but does – and went on to influence a whole generation in jazz! Parker's alto and Latin rhythms are an amazing combination – rhythms that move even more frenetically than regular bop modes – ... LP, Vinyl record album

Charlie Parker

Charlie Parker Story #1
Verve, Early 50s. Very Good+
First volume in Verve's LP collection of Parker's work recorded by Norman Granz, with a mix of tracks that includes some quartet and small group material, some recorded with strings and a couple recorded with Machito & His Orchestra. 15 tracks in all, including "April In Paris", ... LP, Vinyl record album

Stan Getz

Reflections
Verve, 1963. Very Good+
A lost chapter in the Stan Getz sound of the 60s – an album that features Stan blowing in front of some beautiful backdrops set by Lalo Schifrin and Claus Ogerman! The sound is super mellow – dreamy, but never sleepy – with Stan blowing in these soulful, magical, exploratory ... LP, Vinyl record album

Oscar Peterson

West Side Story
Verve, 1962. Very Good
The West Side Story score – but handled here by the great Oscar Peterson Trio – in ways that really push the tunes past their Broadway roots! The approach is tight, soulful, and filled with strong lines from Peterson on piano – plus bass by Ray Brown and drums from Ed Thigpen ... LP, Vinyl record album

Melvin Sparks

Sparks!
Prestige, 1970. Very Good+
A killer – one of the best from Prestige during the runaway classic years of the early 70s! Melvin Sparks is a genius guitarist, with a talent as rich as that of Grant Green, who's probably his most immediate precursor. He'd played in the groups of Lou Donaldson and Jack McDuff during the ... LP, Vinyl record album
 



⇑ Top