An even more commercial effort than Ellington '65, Ellington '66 is yet another example of how the change in popular music toward an all rock & roll format found jazz musicians attempting crossover material with varying degrees of success.

While much of the music here is standard American Popular Song à la "Satin Doll" and "Red Roses for a Blue Lady," other tracks such as the Beatles' "I Want to Hold Your Hand" are clearly attempts at reaching a younger record-buying audience.

While Ellington '66 isn't a bad recording and actually bests '65 for sheer listening pleasure, it is by no means required listening and will most likely appeal to die-hard Ellington completists.