CD-Charts Position 161
Average Rating:

Hunting the Snake

CD-Charts > Music > Orchestral Jazz
by: Schlippenbach Quartet, Alexander Schlippenbach, Evan Parker

Release Date October 03, 2000
The Schlippenbach Trio here becomes a quartet with the addition of Peter Kowald to the regular members: Evan Parker reeds, Paul Lovens percussion, and Alexander von Schlippenbach piano. How lucky we are that this recording has finally seen the light of day. Add this to more recent releases on the FMP label and you have a feast for fans of this remarkable true "super" group. There is the argument among many "free" players that familiarity is the antithesis of improvisation. This group disproves that theory, and then some. Hunting the Snake sounds fresh 25 years after the making, and compares to the best of the AvS Trio. Drop this one into any period in their history and it stands up quite well. I had to laugh at the title ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 162
Average Rating:

The Far East Suite Special Mix

CD-Charts > Music > Orchestral Jazz
by: Duke Ellington

Release Date March 28, 1995
This "programe" is a wonderful introduction to Ellington's modernist music, as opposed to his 30s and 40s swing. In the case of "Far East Suite", both Ellington and Strayhorn take a decidedly Eastern and exotic path to achieve musical perfection. The execution of this "Orientalist's dream" is a tour de force. As always, Ellington stretches the abilities of his band to sublime artistic heights. The members of the orchestra are in top form. The CD is "beyond category"- a crowning achievement in both Ellington's and Strayhorn's long and fruitful careers. It is a crime against nature that this release is no longer available!

CD-Charts Position 163
Average Rating:

Live at Redlands University

CD-Charts > Music > Orchestral Jazz
by: Stan Kenton & His Orchestra

Release Date July 01, 1991
This 1970 album heralded the emergence of the Kenton band from a relatively unproductive period on the recording scene, and along with the 1972 "Stan Kenton Today" album attracted a whole new generation of fans. Kenton's combination of new material and fresh performances of older charts was embraced by big band enthusiasts and jazz educators in the 1970s.
There are some classics in this collection: Dee Barton's slow, sumptuous arrangement of "Here's That Rainy Day"; Willie Maiden's "A Little Minor Booze"; a roaring Bill Holman chart of "Tico Tico"; the beautiful "Tiare," which may be Ken Hanna's best work; and quite possibly the best of Stan's many recordings of "Artistry in Rhythm." There's also "Chiapas," one of Hank Levy's early forays into ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 164
Average Rating:

The Alternative Takes, Vol. 1: 1924-1929

CD-Charts > Music > Orchestral Jazz
by: Duke Ellington

Release Date August 28, 2001
This is the first volume in the Ellington "Alternate Takes in Chronological Order" "complementing the French [Chronogical Melodie] Classics CD series", produced by NEATWORK in Vienna, Austria.
Purchasers of this series should keep in mind that Classics does not necessarily use the same take that, say, BMG (RCA Victor) uses on its standard reissues so these "alternate" takes may well be takes you already have if you own the standard corporate product.
The first five tracks reproduce Blu-Disc, Up-to-date, Gennett and Paramount recordings:
"Deacon Jazz" and "Oh! how I love my darling" are piano accompaniments of singers Jo Trent and Ellington's drummer Sonny Greer respectively. Both are comic ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 165
Average Rating:

Reminiscing in Tempo

CD-Charts > Music > Orchestral Jazz
by: Duke Ellington

Release Date November 26, 1991
For all of you who want a taste of the music an American icon, Edward "Duke" Ellington - here it is! You'll hear very early recordings such as "The Mooche" and then spanning a career including such timeless tunes as "It Don't Mean A Thing (If It Ain't Got That Swing)", "Sophisticated Lady", "Mood Indigo", "Cottontail", "Take the A Train", "Don't Get Around Much Anymore" - a generous offering of 20 swingin' cuts in all!

CD-Charts Position 166
Average Rating:

Passatori

CD-Charts > Music > Orchestral Jazz
by: Richard Galliano

Release Date March 28, 2000
The word perfection is the only appropriate word to describe this CD. This musician has absolute power over a wonderful instrument.

CD-Charts Position 167
Average Rating:

Cal Tjader Plays Harold Arlen/West Side Story

CD-Charts > Music > Orchestral Jazz
by: Cal Tjader

Release Date July 30, 2002
I have admired Cal Tjader since the 50's. However, this merger of two of his most forgettable albums left me cold. It projects blandness, lacks swing and the arrangements sound atonal,trite and limp. Clare Fischer at his worst? You can hear a difference in "Tonight", in latin tempo which is the one bright star in a blah disk. Two stars for this unfortunate CD, which I'm sure Cal himself would agree is a blatantly commercial attempt to add an "easy listening" label to jazz. A disappointment!

CD-Charts Position 168
Average Rating:

Piano in the Background

CD-Charts > Music > Orchestral Jazz
by: Duke Ellington

Release Date July 27, 2004
For fans of the Blaton-Webster era Ellington, you will love this cd. Nearly all of these songs were orginally recorded in that era. The charts are updated a little bit, and fresh interpertations are given to them. Two of my favorite Ellington song are given a re-treatment here, "Midriff" and "Harlem Air Shaft". The Strayhorn compositions "Dreamy Sort of Thing" and "Midriff" (suprising this one did not become a standard) are performed with the utmost care. Also incuded is a definitive performance "Take the 'A' Train". The only downside is an alright performance of "it don't mean a thing", but other than that small mishap, this is more essentail Ellington/Strayhorn.

CD-Charts Position 169
Average Rating:

Live at March Field Air Force Base

CD-Charts > Music > Orchestral Jazz
by: Stan Kenton

Release Date October 25, 1994
This is a live recording of the Kenton orchestra in 1959 playing first-rate dance charts for a date at an officers' club. The sound is excellent and the band was one of Kenton's best. Bud Brisbois led the trumpets, Bob Fitzpatrick the trombones! Charlie Mariano plays gorgeous alto solos. Who says Kenton's bands didn't swing?

The only drawback is that Kenton himself doesn't play. This may be because of an out-of-tune piano at the gig. He can be heard, however, calling out the numbers of tunes.

CD-Charts Position 170
Average Rating:

All Star Road Band, Vol. 2

CD-Charts > Music > Orchestral Jazz
by: Duke Ellington

Release Date January 16, 2001
This is a live recording of the Kenton orchestra in 1959 playing first-rate dance charts for a date at an officers' club. The sound is excellent and the band was one of Kenton's best. Bud Brisbois led the trumpets, Bob Fitzpatrick the trombones! Charlie Mariano plays gorgeous alto solos. Who says Kenton's bands didn't swing?

The only drawback is that Kenton himself doesn't play. This may be because of an out-of-tune piano at the gig. He can be heard, however, calling out the numbers of tunes.