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Summary: First Album By Group That Was To Become The Touring Birdland Dream Band
Comment: Though several albums were previously recorded by big bands led by Maynard. Mostly, they were groups assembled for particular club or recording dates. This, band, however, was the nucleus of the famous 1957-60 touring edition. Album was recorded in July 1957. Birdlike altoist Jimmy Ford is well featured I particlarly liked his solos on The Lamp Is Low, Jeepers Creepers, Easy To Love and I Never Knew. Saxman Anthony Ortega also gets good solo space. Some other group members worth noting are trombonists Bob Burgess and Jimmy Cleveland as well as imagine it--Bobby Timmons on piano,Richard Evans on bass and Larry Bunker on drums. Singing four tunes is vocalist Irene Kral (sister of Roy Kral of Jackie & Roy fame). Evidence of the excitement that was to to come is definitely here.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Great Band
Comment: This is a terrific album in which Maynard is slightly subdued. The arrangements, I believe are from Willie Maiden which are spectacular. "Moonlight in Vermont" and "My Funny Valentine" are worth the price of the album. The vocalist, Irene Kral, does a great job on the songs that she sings. She was so good in fact, she did not last long in Maynard's band. She was picked up and sent out on her own shortly after this album was released.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Maynard WITH a band , not Maynard AND a band
Comment: If you're looking for thousands of high notes...this is not the place.Although there are MANY exceptional passages from the master of the stratosphere , this is Maynard playing WITH a band , not a band backing Maynard. Most of the musicians get a chance to shine on these fine arrangements , and the results are very rewarding in terms of listening gratification. That was one of Maynard's finer points as a leader. He always knew his fan base wanted to hear him scream , but he balanced his playing with that of the members of his band. Probably why he garnishes the respect from everyone ever associated with him. If you're a Maynard fan , add this to your collection. Put it on when you want just a tasteful sprinkle of Maynard.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Popular tunes that don't sacrifice the jazz
Comment: Another vintage album from Maynard's finest era has made it to CD. In addition to Maynard's brilliant playing on trumpet and valve trombone, this 1957 session features brilliant arrangements by Willie Maiden, Al Cohn, Bill Holman, and Ernie Wilkins. The 12 tracks (including four that feature vocalist Irene Kral) come from the songbooks of popular composers such as the Gershwin brothers, Rogers & Hart, Jerome Kern, Oscar Hammerstein, Johnny Mercer, and others. The selections have plenty to offer for both jazz listeners and lovers of danceable big band music.
Four tracks on this CD also appeared on the 1996 Verve CD release "Jazz Masters 52 - Maynard Ferguson": "The Lamp Is Low," "Love Me or Leave Me," "Moonlight in Vermont," and "Easy to Love." Also, the same arrangement of "My Funny Valentine" is on the "Live at Peacock Lane Hollywood" CD, although that's a different recording from a live performance.
The sound is clear but the tracks are mono. This may not seem unusual for mid-1950s recordings, but the four duplicate tracks on the Verve CD have very distinct stereo separation, which would seem to indicate that the original session was done in stereo.
As of this writing, Amazon apparently has stopped carrying this CD in its own inventory, instead referring buyers to alternate vendors. I ordered it from Titan Music for a decent price and received it in a week.
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