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Duke Ellington — Caravan
Album: Best of Duke Ellington
Avg rating:
7.9

Your rating:
Total ratings: 1527









Released: 1937
Length: 3:05
Plays (last 30 days): 0
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(Instrumental)
Comments (95)add comment
 unclehud wrote:

Love the clarinet section in the background ... sophisticated, man!


... and it does have lyrics, though not on this recording:

Night and stars above that shine so bright,
The mystery of their fading light,
That shines upon our Caravan.

Sleep upon my shoulder as we creep,
Across the sands so I may keep,
The memory of our Caravan.

This is so exciting,
You are so inviting,
Resting in my arms.
Thrill to the magic,
The magic of your charms.
You beside me here beneath the blue,
My dream of love is coming true,
Within our desert Caravan.

This is so exciting,
You are so inviting,
Resting in my arms.
Thrill to the magic,
The magic of your charms.
Night and stars above that shine so bright,
The mystery of their fading light,
That shines upon our Caravan.




Thank You for the info!
Posted 1 year ago by joejennings    [ Reply ]
 sebastian.rinn wrote:

I Agree!! EXCELLENT TUNE!!  
Posted 2 years ago by joejennings    [ Reply ]
 WonderLizard wrote:

Self edit: BTW, "Caravan" was composed by Juan Tizol, Ellington's trombonist.



Co-written by Tizol and Ellington.
Posted 2 years ago by Proclivities    [ Reply ]
Read somewhere that RP is based on rock music. Hearing this track makes me laugh at that description and is why I love RP so much. Thanks all.
Posted 4 years ago by meanrat    [ Reply ]
So Cool;...the Duke, thank you RP!
Posted 4 years ago by neptunejeff    [ Reply ]
this is why i listen to RP... Billy Idol followed by Duke Ellington
Posted 4 years ago by jkforde    [ Reply ]
Love the clarinet section in the background ... sophisticated, man!


... and it does have lyrics, though not on this recording:

Night and stars above that shine so bright,
The mystery of their fading light,
That shines upon our Caravan.

Sleep upon my shoulder as we creep,
Across the sands so I may keep,
The memory of our Caravan.

This is so exciting,
You are so inviting,
Resting in my arms.
Thrill to the magic,
The magic of your charms.
You beside me here beneath the blue,
My dream of love is coming true,
Within our desert Caravan.

This is so exciting,
You are so inviting,
Resting in my arms.
Thrill to the magic,
The magic of your charms.
Night and stars above that shine so bright,
The mystery of their fading light,
That shines upon our Caravan.
Posted 5 years ago by unclehud    [ Reply ]
Mike Jittlov used a version of Caravan in his animation for Disney, "The Collector"
YouTube -- Mike Jittlov: The Collector 1978
Posted 5 years ago by Gromit_42    [ Reply ]
So...on sax. Is that Lester Young and/or Coleman Hawkins? 

They were the last of the great swingers, before bop and cool jazz took over. 
Posted 5 years ago by idiot_wind    [ Reply ]
Oh that clarinet solo. As short as it is outstanding. The whole thing is just a jewel obviously.
Posted 6 years ago by fedtho    [ Reply ]
Posted 6 years ago by sebastian.rinn    [ Reply ]
oh, yazzzzz
Posted 6 years ago by jambo    [ Reply ]
Doesn't matter how old it is, it still has "that swing".
Posted 6 years ago by ExpatLarry    [ Reply ]
This must have driven all the vipers craaazzzy!
Posted 6 years ago by Jeff09    [ Reply ]
Not quite my tempo, but nice {#Smile}
Posted 6 years ago by MJdub    [ Reply ]
Brilliant.
Posted 7 years ago by zenhead    [ Reply ]
Just... excellent! Thanks!
Posted 7 years ago by gilbert    [ Reply ]
 kcar wrote:
Jelani wrote:
OK, this is a total longshot...hmm, well maybe not on RP, but does anyone here remember a "Saturday morning cartoon" back in the mid sixties where there's actual B&W film footage of Duke playing the piano and there's an animated cartoon character dancing on his keys, or somewhere on his piano? This memory has stayed with throughout the years and I've never seen that 'clip' again.
And I was too young for psychedelics, so we don't have to explore that option. :-) 

  
 nagsheadlocal wrote:

Duke Ellington, Cab Calloway, Bix Beiderbecke, et al, made a number of cartoons in the early '30s in the format you describe. Betty Boop was a frequent "collaborator" and is probably who you are thinking about. You can find some of these cartoons on the Internet Archive (archive.org, search for Betty Boop) but most are no longer played due to their less-than-enlightened depictions of black people. 

 

nagsheadlocal is right: there seem to be quite a number of cartoons with jazz musicians and animated characters. Cab Calloway paired with Betty Boop quite often, including "Minnie the Mooch." 

But Jelani, the link below may lead you to the Duke Ellington film/animation you're looking for. Ellington is playing at a piano when four perfume bottles on a nearby pedestal ask if he would conduct them. Ellington agrees and leads them in his "Perfume Suite." A disagreeable troll-like animated character barges into the scene, dismissing the music and dancing. Duke's wizardry takes control over the troll who winds up dancing on the floor, the top of the piano AND the keys! 

Hope I have found your lost chord for you. A guy named Paul DeCamp said on YouTube that he'd been looking for this cartoon for 50-odd years, so your memory has company. 
"DATE WITH DUKE: A George Pal Puppettoon"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=INT7nlUpvdc

 
Fabulous clip. Thank you!
Posted 8 years ago by WonderLizard    [ Reply ]
MORE!   {#Smile}  {#Good-vibes}
Posted 8 years ago by LizK    [ Reply ]
{#Dancingbanana_2}{#Dancingbanana_2}{#Dancingbanana_2}

The coolest, man!
Posted 8 years ago by Dahlia_Gumbo    [ Reply ]
Jelani wrote:
OK, this is a total longshot...hmm, well maybe not on RP, but does anyone here remember a "Saturday morning cartoon" back in the mid sixties where there's actual B&W film footage of Duke playing the piano and there's an animated cartoon character dancing on his keys, or somewhere on his piano? This memory has stayed with throughout the years and I've never seen that 'clip' again.
And I was too young for psychedelics, so we don't have to explore that option. :-) 

  
 nagsheadlocal wrote:

Duke Ellington, Cab Calloway, Bix Beiderbecke, et al, made a number of cartoons in the early '30s in the format you describe. Betty Boop was a frequent "collaborator" and is probably who you are thinking about. You can find some of these cartoons on the Internet Archive (archive.org, search for Betty Boop) but most are no longer played due to their less-than-enlightened depictions of black people. 

 

nagsheadlocal is right: there seem to be quite a number of cartoons with jazz musicians and animated characters. Cab Calloway paired with Betty Boop quite often, including "Minnie the Mooch." 

But Jelani, the link below may lead you to the Duke Ellington film/animation you're looking for. Ellington is playing at a piano when four perfume bottles on a nearby pedestal ask if he would conduct them. Ellington agrees and leads them in his "Perfume Suite." A disagreeable troll-like animated character barges into the scene, dismissing the music and dancing. Duke's wizardry takes control over the troll who winds up dancing on the floor, the top of the piano AND the keys! 

Hope I have found your lost chord for you. A guy named Paul DeCamp said on YouTube that he'd been looking for this cartoon for 50-odd years, so your memory has company. 
"DATE WITH DUKE: A George Pal Puppettoon"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=INT7nlUpvdc
Posted 8 years ago by kcar    [ Reply ]
Genial! With a tip of the hat to Juan Tizol {#Cheers}
Posted 9 years ago by 4merdj    [ Reply ]
I love every version of this song. Of course, the Duke kills it!
Posted 9 years ago by jagdriver    [ Reply ]
You keep raising the bar Bill...but I can't rate a song an 11 or 12...
 
Posted 9 years ago by hempmandan    [ Reply ]
{#Bananajumprope}{#Dancingbanana_2}{#Bananasplit}{#Bananajumprope}Makes me feel like dancing, it's just perfekt! 
Posted 9 years ago by Ginetta    [ Reply ]
a perfect 10. That is all.
Posted 9 years ago by PeaceInIraq    [ Reply ]
GENIUS!
Posted 10 years ago by wtango    [ Reply ]
I hear this frequently on my all-night classic jazz fm station (there are only a few left).  Cool to hear it now.
Posted 10 years ago by ScottN    [ Reply ]
{#Bananajam}{#Bananajumprope}{#Bananasplit}{#Dancingbanana_2}{#Bananapiano}{#Dancingbanana}{#Motor}


{#Bananajam}{#Bananajumprope}{#Bananasplit}{#Dancingbanana_2}{#Bananapiano}{#Dancingbanana}{#Motor}
Posted 10 years ago by Peter_Bradshaw    [ Reply ]
Every time this song is played, I always remember one scene of Woody Allens Sweet and Lowdown {#Cowboy}
Posted 10 years ago by norbertZ    [ Reply ]
{#Bananajam}{#Bananajumprope}{#Bananasplit}{#Dancingbanana_2}{#Bananapiano}{#Dancingbanana}{#Motor}
Posted 10 years ago by mgkiwi    [ Reply ]
..Ah...smooth as silk ....lovely sound
Posted 10 years ago by Jannne    [ Reply ]
 Jelani wrote:
OK, this is a total longshot...hmm, well maybe not on RP, but does anyone here remember a "Saturday morning cartoon" back in the mid sixties where there's actual B&W film footage of Duke playing the piano and there's an animated cartoon character dancing on his keys, or somewhere on his piano? This memory has stayed with throughout the years and I've never seen that 'clip' again.
And I was too young for psychedelics, so we don't have to explore that option. :-) 

 
Duke Ellington, Cab Calloway, Bix Beiderbecke, et al, made a number of cartoons in the early '30s in the format you describe. Betty Boop was a frequent "collaborator" and is probably who you are thinking about. You can find some of these cartoons on the Internet Archive (archive.org, search for Betty Boop) but most are no longer played due to their less-than-enlightened depictions of black people. 
Posted 10 years ago by nagsheadlocal    [ Reply ]
OK, this is a total longshot...hmm, well maybe not on RP, but does anyone here remember a "Saturday morning cartoon" back in the mid sixties where there's actual B&W film footage of Duke playing the piano and there's an animated cartoon character dancing on his keys, or somewhere on his piano? This memory has stayed with throughout the years and I've never seen that 'clip' again.
And I was too young for psychedelics, so we don't have to explore that option. :-) 
Posted 10 years ago by Jelani    [ Reply ]
The older I get, the more I love this type of music - that has never happened to me with Classical though
Posted 10 years ago by jocelynsart    [ Reply ]
Fantastic! Should have born on those ages!
Posted 10 years ago by valeriogonzalez    [ Reply ]
oH MAN, THAT...SOUND,...scratches on the vinyl an all, this is sooo goood!!
Posted 11 years ago by aristoteles    [ Reply ]
Looooooove "Caravan". Have many versions of it at home. This is a fine one.
Posted 11 years ago by Dave_Mack    [ Reply ]
Oingo Boingo "Dead Man's Party" followed by some snappy Duke....I have happy feet.

Damn I LOVE this station!
Posted 11 years ago by scott_bruce    [ Reply ]
I just LOVE the eclectic mix on Radio Paradise. I've found many artists that I enjoy that I wouldn't have found otherwise.
Posted 11 years ago by MuzikLover    [ Reply ]
 johnjconn wrote:
I pity my grandparents who had to listen to this.
Long live Rock and Roll.
( Hope I die before I get old )

 

to late
Posted 11 years ago by oldfart48    [ Reply ]
This is not the Caravan recording I'm used to.  Just as awesome, though.  Maybe even more so.
Posted 11 years ago by severian1    [ Reply ]
Now this is cool. 
Posted 11 years ago by oldsaxon    [ Reply ]
 jukes1 wrote:
Makes me wish iTunes had a "play something else" button.
 
I think you're not holding your iTunes correctly.
Posted 11 years ago by ce    [ Reply ]
Have ya tappin yor feet and singen scat in no time.
Posted 11 years ago by GreggH    [ Reply ]
Wonderful.
Posted 11 years ago by secretsauce    [ Reply ]
Makes me wish iTunes had a "play something else" button.
Posted 11 years ago by jukes1    [ Reply ]
Throwing this into the mix is why I love RP. Great DJ.
Posted 11 years ago by jimj    [ Reply ]
stopped workin in the atx too :D  i'll blame it on the duke
 Marr wrote:
I haven't heard this in so long. And the moment it started all work here at my desk stopped. :)
 
 


Posted 11 years ago by CrackerjaxATX    [ Reply ]
I haven't heard this in so long. And the moment it started all work here at my desk stopped. :)
 
Posted 11 years ago by Marr    [ Reply ]
Know what's funny?  The first notes of this, I said, "Mocean Worker!"
Posted 11 years ago by unclehud    [ Reply ]
Sir Duke
Posted 11 years ago by ziakut    [ Reply ]
Steppin' out, y'all.
Posted 12 years ago by nagsheadlocal    [ Reply ]
 Shesdifferent wrote:
Just can't get into this time zone.
 
Listen to each soloist and try and find the emotion or character each one is trying to get across thru their instrument.  

That trumpet to me is a saucy young woman who has no problem speaking her mind, but I would hang around anyway cause she is so sexy.
Posted 12 years ago by GawgaBoy    [ Reply ]
Just can't get into this time zone.
Posted 12 years ago by Shesdifferent    [ Reply ]
Man, the real deal. Even in this very crude recording the genius shines through.
Posted 12 years ago by nagsheadlocal    [ Reply ]
From an utterly underwhelming Joe Jackson cover to the real thing.

Could the contrast be any greater?
Posted 12 years ago by aelfheld    [ Reply ]
gracias!
Posted 12 years ago by LongGoneDaddy    [ Reply ]
wow.
Posted 12 years ago by steeler    [ Reply ]
Perfect follow up to Dead Man's Party. {#Jump}
Posted 12 years ago by Ahnyer_Keester    [ Reply ]
 walk wrote:


you should listen again more carefully because this is Rock and Roll.
 
{#Dancingbanana_2}
Posted 12 years ago by Barman    [ Reply ]
 romeotuma wrote:


This song is soooo good for the ears...
 
This song is soooo good for the ears...


Fixed it for you.  (You must not have been feeling good that day.  ;-)


Posted 12 years ago by AvoidingWork    [ Reply ]
Get in the groove and swing it—damn near rocking it.
Posted 12 years ago by dwlangham    [ Reply ]
That guy actually rocked the clarinet solo!

Posted 12 years ago by gvan    [ Reply ]
 SinisterDexter wrote:
I like the Black Sabbath version better.
 
Admittedly, BS's "Caravan" is a very good song.

Posted 12 years ago by dwlangham    [ Reply ]
 johnjconn wrote:
I pity my grandparents who had to listen to this.
Long live Rock and Roll.
( Hope I die before I get old )
 
You're still here?

Posted 12 years ago by dwlangham    [ Reply ]
 johnjconn wrote:
I pity my grandparents who had to listen to this.
Long live Rock and Roll.
( Hope I die before I get old )
 

you should listen again more carefully because this is Rock and Roll.
Posted 13 years ago by walk    [ Reply ]
An open mind is a good thing!
Posted 13 years ago by fgirl    [ Reply ]
I like the Black Sabbath version better.
Posted 13 years ago by SinisterDexter    [ Reply ]
 ralphf wrote:
This type of unrestrained music will lead to the downfall of Western Civilization, I tells ya!
 
Amazing how long we've been downfalling. I blame John Philip Sousa myself. 
Posted 13 years ago by kcar    [ Reply ]
 WonderLizard wrote:
...Speaking of which...too bad this version faded out.
 
I WISH I had the original to upload - it would be beyond great to hear the WHOLE thing!  Still, a little is better than nothing at all.

Posted 13 years ago by Cynaera    [ Reply ]
 bluecshells wrote:

Please let me dance.....


  Nobody's stoppin' ya, kiddo.  In fact, allow me to join you - it's just too difficult to sit still to this one! {#Bananasplit}
Posted 13 years ago by Cynaera    [ Reply ]

Please let me dance.....


Posted 13 years ago by bluecshells    [ Reply ]
Saw Duke Ellington with Count Basie and Ella Fitzgerald at the Van Wezel performing arts center in Sarasota. The treat of a lifetime.

Posted 13 years ago by DD rabbi_phil    [ Reply ]
 WonderLizard wrote:
The great thing about any of Ellington's bands is guessing who's doing which solo. Some are instantly identifiable like Johnny Hodges on alto sax, tho' on this cut it may very well have been Otto Hardwick, or Barney Bigard on clarinet—the others you guess at depending on the year of the recording. Nonetheless, any Ellington is worth the moment's investment. Speaking of which...too bad this version faded out.
 
Self edit: BTW, "Caravan" was composed by Juan Tizol, Ellington's trombonist.

Posted 13 years ago by WonderLizard    [ Reply ]
This type of unrestrained music will lead to the downfall of Western Civilization, I tells ya!
Posted 13 years ago by ralphf    [ Reply ]
 Geecheeboy wrote:
Creepy? As if it's ghost music?  Well it IS all played by people who are probably dead by now.  And it was recorded years ago, so we are listening to something from the past.... in a way I guess that can be considered "creepy."
 
You're probably dead right now, who knows, why am I reading your post?... that is creeeepy...
Posted 13 years ago by Lug    [ Reply ]
Just wonderful!!{#Notworthy} 10!!!
Posted 13 years ago by sirdroseph    [ Reply ]
How anyone can give this musical pioneer a "1" or even a "2" is beyond me.  But I see there were 6 collective geniuses that did exactly that.  A 10 doesn't even cover it. 

{#Think}
Posted 14 years ago by Rooney    [ Reply ]
Creepy? As if it's ghost music?  Well it IS all played by people who are probably dead by now.  And it was recorded years ago, so we are listening to something from the past.... in a way I guess that can be considered "creepy."
Posted 14 years ago by Geecheeboy    [ Reply ]
I find this music creeeeeeeepy.
Posted 14 years ago by deepwoodskev    [ Reply ]
The great thing about any of Ellington's bands is guessing who's doing which solo. Some are instantly identifiable like Johnny Hodges on alto sax, tho' on this cut it may very well have been Otto Hardwick, or Barney Bigard on clarinet—the others you guess at depending on the year of the recording. Nonetheless, any Ellington is worth the moment's investment. Speaking of which...too bad this version faded out.
Posted 14 years ago by WonderLizard    [ Reply ]
I;m often underwhelmed by Duke Ellington, although I like a wide range of jazz/big band.  But this COOKS!
Posted 14 years ago by haresfur    [ Reply ]
Blast from the past... indeed!

Totally awesome. Thanks Bill! {#Good-vibes}
Posted 14 years ago by megaadam    [ Reply ]
 helgigermany wrote:

Papernapkin does not like oldies, he tells us everyday. But he is still around!

 

 

Yes, like some other guys who seem to be addicted to RP, though they don't like the music.


Posted 14 years ago by prickelpit96    [ Reply ]
 RParadise wrote:
Man, if you don't like a Big Band sound, you're missing something in your soul.
 
Papernapkin does not like oldies, he tells us everyday. But he is still around!

Posted 14 years ago by helgigermany    [ Reply ]
No one compares. A class all his own...keeps me movin'!

 
Posted 14 years ago by gatorade    [ Reply ]

Oscar Peterson - "Caravan" (Duke Ellington) Live (1986):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ZdKsJfZyws
Posted 14 years ago by calypsus_1    [ Reply ]
Man, if you don't like a Big Band sound, you're missing something in your soul.
Posted 14 years ago by RParadise    [ Reply ]
Ok, eclectic is out of the way, can go back to playing oldies.
Posted 15 years ago by Papernapkin    [ Reply ]
Not into this unless I am watching "Miss Pettigrew Lives For A Day"
Posted 15 years ago by Shesdifferent    [ Reply ]
Wonderful, Bill.  Thank you for playing the Duke.{#Clap}{#Roflol}{#Bananapiano}{#Roflol}{#Clap}
Posted 15 years ago by haretic    [ Reply ]
OUTSTANDING!

Just about any cover of this classic is also (usually) terrific.

It would be interesting to somehow remaster all of the gems of that era, although I fully realize part of their charm is in how they were recorded.


Posted 15 years ago by jagdriver    [ Reply ]