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I'm Just a Lucky So and So by Paul Marinaro

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Album Title: Mood Ellington
Label: Origin Records
Released: 2025

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About the Album

Mood Ellington is a lavishly ambitious collection from acclaimed vocalist Paul Marinaro, presenting twenty-five of Duke Ellington’s finest vocal compositions, vividly reimagined by thirteen of the world’s most celebrated arrangers—including Alan Broadbent, John Clayton, Bill Cunliffe, Chuck Israels, and Chuck Owen—and performed by his Chicago quartet along with horns and a lush string section. Praised for his masterful phrasing, rich tone, and deep emotional connection to a lyric, Mariano inhabits Ellington’s masterpieces with wit and elegance, resulting in a sweeping 21st-century celebration of Ellington’s timeless artistry. While flowing as one cohesive whole, the themes of rhapsodizing on love (“I’m Just a Lucky So & So”), somber reflection (“Mood Indigo”), and tunes suggesting a little more of real life (“Don’t Get Around Much Anymore”), divide the songs into three distinct thematic story arcs. “One of the most beautiful vocal instruments in the business today.” — Chicago Tribune

Tracks

I'm Beginning to See the Light; A Flower Is a Lovesome Thing; I'm Just a Lucky So and So; Love You Madly; Sophisticated Lady; I Like the Sunrise; Just Squeeze Me; It Shouldn't Happen to a Dream; In a Mellow Tone; Mood Indigo; Azure; Don't You Know I Care (or Don't You Care to Know); I Got It Bad (and That Ain't Good); (In My) Solitude; All Too Soon; Lush Life; (I Want) Something to Live For; Don't Get Around Much Anymore; Take Love Easy; Day Dream; I Ain't Got Nothin' but the Blues; Caravan; I Didn't Know About You; In a Sentimental Mood; Do Nothing Till You Hear from Me.

Personnel

Additional Personnel

Lisa Fako: violin; Eleanor Bartsch: violin; Stephen Boe: violin; Chuck Bontrager: violin; Christina Buciu: violin; Kathleen Carter: violin; Karl Davies: violin; Wendy Evans: violin; Elizabeth Huffman: violin; Carmen Kassinger: violin; Kathryn Siegel: violin; Jeff Yang: violin; Mike Allemana: arranger; Alan Broadbent: arranger; John Clayton: arranger; Ryan Cohan: arranger; Bill Cunliffe: arranger; Carey Deadman: arranger; Mike Downes: arranger; Jim Gailloreto: arranger; Tom Garling: arranger; Chuck Israels: arranger; John Kornegay: arranger; Tom Matta: arranger; Chuck Owen: arranger.

Date featured

November 14, 2025

This song appears by permission of the contributing artist and/or record company. It is for personal use only; no other rights are granted or implied.

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