your favorite 3 Duke Ellington albums?

Sarah Vaughan's "Duke Ellington Song Book Vol. 1 & 2"
In the 40s With Jimmy Blanton
Jazz Violin Session
Piano Reflections
1940 Live From the Crystal Ballroom In Fargo, ND

There are five and the first is not even by Ellington, but it's important to hear what a great vocalist can do with his material.  If I had to only recommend a single recording it would be the Fargo concert recording.

Such Sweet Thunder
Soul Call
Newport to Paris

To many others.  I don't have that "Live From The Crystal Ballroom. Thanks!

A Homage to Duke by David Grusin - fantastic sounding album.

I own and enjoy the Grusin disc (along with the companion homage to Bernstein), but are you serious!?  The OP's asking for recs on the BEST Duke Ellington recordings and you think the Grusin beats out work by the Duke himself!?  If yr not being sarcastic, I'd strongly recommend putting down the Grusin and start listening to the Duke, yr in for a treat!;)

Definitely First Time The Count Meets The Duke, Newport to Paris and  Such Sweet Thunder.  

MasterpiecesThis One's For BlantonDuke's Big 4

I'd add Money Jungle with Mingus and Roach. Wild and hard-hitting.

I'm not a big jazz fan, but enjoy the earlier Ellington stuff. Specifically these 2 cd's:

Swing Legends - 24 Classic Hits, Robert Parker series. 1920's to 1940.

Sophisticated Lady, Victor Jazz, 1940-46.

Both have excellent sound for the time period.

Ella at Duke's Place
Blues in Orbit
Never No Lament: The Blanton-Webster Band

It's not "technically" Duke... but since you already like "Side by Side", you should hear "Johnny Hodges with Billy Strayhorn's Orchestra.  It's one of my all-time favorites regardless of genre.  I see where it is available on a 2013 SACD release.  That should really be special!

Johnny Hodges and Strayhorn also one of my favorites.
If you haven't heard the Hodges recording "Everybody Knows", you
may want to check it out.  Same genre.  The orchestra, these
guys were pros, all on the same wavelength.  Simply wonderful music.

@shoff Great record....just streamed it through my Innuos, great record. on the purchase list now.

So many great Duke records to choose from!  

"His Mother Called Him Bill".  Wonderful tribute to Billy Strayhorn and for fans of Hodges the tune "Blood Count"' is a must listen.

Anyone not familiar with his extended works should check out:
"Far East Suite" and "Black, Brown and Beige" (1958).  Fabulous.

For a historical perspective "Mrs. Clinkscales to the Cotton Club" (20s) is great.

Correction:

”And His Mother Called Him Bill”