Showing posts with label Buddy Rich. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Buddy Rich. Show all posts

Friday, March 15, 2024

Ella Fitzgerald & Louis Armstrong - The Best Of Ella Fitzgerald & Louis Armstrong On Verve

Styles: Vocal
Year: 1997
Time: 68:04
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Size: 155,8 MB
Art: Front

(4:14) 1.Let's Call The Whole Thing Off
(4:00) 2.Love Is Here To Stay
(5:42) 3.The Nearness Of You
(3:35) 4.Stars Fell On Alabama
(4:13) 5.Gee, Baby, Ain't I Good To You
(4:40) 6.They Can't Take That Away From Me
(5:59) 7.Autumn In New York
(5:01) 8.Summertime
(5:09) 9.Tenderly
(5:14) 10.Stompin' At The Savoy
(4:18) 11.Under A Blanket Of Blue
(4:38) 12 I Wants To Stay Here
(3:11) 13.I've Got My Love To Keep Me Warm
(4:54) 14.There's A Boat Dat's Leavin' Soon For New York
(3:09) 15.You Won't Be Satisfied (Until You Break My Heart)

The Best of Ella Fitzgerald & Louis Armstrong from Verve contains a selection of 15 duets the two jazz legends recorded for the label over the years.

Clearly, this set isn't of particular interest to hardcore collectors, since they'll already own much of the material, but as a sampler targeted at casual fans, this is quite nice indeed, since it contains such timeless classics as "Let's Call the Whole Thing Off," "Stars Fell on Alabama, " "Autumn in New York, " "Summertime," and "They Can't Take That Away from Me." By Stephen Thomas Erlewine
https://www.allmusic.com/album/the-best-of-ella-fitzgerald-and-louis-armstrong-on-verve-mw0000025726#review

Personnel: Bass – Dale Jones, Ray Brown; Clarinet – Edmond Hall; Drums – Barrett Deems, Buddy Rich, Louis Bellson; Guitar – Herb Ellis ; Piano – Billy Kyle, Oscar Peterson; Trombone – Trummy Young; Trumpet – Louis Armstrong; Vocals – Ella Fitzgerald, Louis Armstrong

The Best Of Ella Fitzgerald & Louis Armstrong On Verve

Thursday, March 14, 2024

Buddy Rich - Live at Ronnie Scott's

Styles: Post Bop
Year: 1980
Time: 44:37
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Size: 102,1 MB
Art: Front

( 4:37) 1. Beulah Witch
( 6:54) 2. Grand Concourse
( 6:18) 3. Blues a la 88 (Ernie's Blues)
( 5:28) 4. Saturday Night
( 5:43) 5. Slow Funk
(15:34) 6. Good News

Arguably the greatest jazz drummer of all time, the legendary Buddy Rich exhibited his love for music through the dedication of his life to the art. His was a career that spanned seven decades, beginning when Rich was 18 months old and continuing until his death in 1987. Immensely gifted, Rich could play with remarkable speed and dexterity despite the fact that he never received a formal lesson and refused to practice outside of his performances.

Born Bernard Rich to vaudevillians Robert and Bess Rich on September 30, 1917, the famed drummer was introduced to audiences at a very young age. By 1921, he was a seasoned solo performer with his vaudeville act, "Traps the Drum Wonder." With his natural sense of rhythm, Rich performed regularly on Broadway at the age of four. At the peak of Rich's early career, he was the second-highest paid child entertainer in the world. Rich's jazz career began in 1937 when he began playing with Joe Marsala at New York's Hickory House.

By 1939, he had joined Tommy Dorsey's band, and he later went on to play with such jazz greats as Dizzy Gillespie, Charlie Ventura, Louis Armstrong and Gene Krupa. Rich was regularly featured in Jazz at the Philharmonic during the late 1940s. He also appeared in such Hollywood films as Symphony of Swing (1939), Ship Ahoy (1942) and How's About It (1943). Throughout the 1960s and 1970s, Rich toured with his own bands and opened two nightclubs, Buddy's Place and Buddy's Place II. Both clubs were regularly filled to capacity by fans of the great master drummer. After opening Buddy's Place II, Rich introduced new tunes with elements of rock into his repertoire, demonstrating his ability to adapt to his audience's changing tastes and establishing himself as a great rock drummer.

Known for his caustic humor, Rich was a favorite on several television talk shows including the Tonight Show with Johnny Carson, the Mike Douglas Show, the Dick Cavett Show and the Merv Griffin Show. During these appearances, audiences were entertained by Rich's constant sparring with the hosts and his slights of various pop singers. This famed musician received outstanding recognition throughout his career. The Downbeat Magazine Hall of Fame Award, the Modern Drummer Magazine Hall of Fame Award and the Jazz Unlimited Immortals of Jazz Award are just a few of his numerous honors. Rich gained international attention for such master compositions as his 10-minute West Side Story medley.

During his lengthy career, Rich toured around the globe, performing for millions of fans and several world leaders including the King of Thailand, King Hussein of Jordan the Queen of England, and U.S. presidents Franklin Roosevelt, John F. Kennedy and Ronald Reagan. On April 2, 1987, Rich died of heart failure following surgery for a malignant brain tumor. Longtime friend, Frank Sinatra, spoke a touching eulogy at Rich's funeral. Today, Buddy Rich is remembered as one of history's greatest musicians. According to jazz legend Gene Krupa, Rich was "The greatest drummer ever to have drawn breath."
https://www.allaboutjazz.com/musicians/buddy-rich/

Live at Ronnie Scott's

Sunday, October 29, 2023

Buddy Rich - Speak No Evil

Styles: Jazz Fusion
Year: 1976
File: MP3@128K/s
Time: 40:57
Size: 38,3 MB
Art: Front

(3:47) 1. Speak No Evil
(5:40) 2. Yearnin' Learnin'
(6:37) 3. Medley: Storm At Sunup
(4:26) 4. Medley: Love Me Now
(6:02) 5. Fight The Power
(3:58) 6. Games People Play
(3:07) 7. Sophisticated Lady (She's A Different Lady)
(3:24) 8. Sneakin' Up Behind You
(3:51) 9. How Long (Betcha Got A Chick)

Released in 1976, Buddy Rich's Speak No Evil is one of the most unusual dates in his long career. For starters, it was produced and arranged by the legendary Richard Evans, house producer and arranger at Chess Records' Cadet imprint. Amazingly enough, this set comes off beautifully as a funky, soulful jazz date. And for a change, it seems, Rich allowed his producer to do his job without inserting himself at every turn.

Some jazz fans may write off the date simply because the great drummer is decked out in kung fu garb and is sporting a pair of nunchucks on the back cover. That's too bad for them, because this one is a killer. As usual, Rich surrounded himself with some of the great soloists and session players available for the date saxophonists Joe Farrell, Steve Marcus, Dave Tofani, and Turk Mauro; trumpeters Lew Soloff and Jon Faddis; bassist Bob Cranshaw; guitarist Ross Traut (who co-produced the session with Evans); and Kenny Barron on electric piano amidst the other brass and percussion and trio of female backing vocalists including Vivian Cherry, Lani Groves, and Rhetta Hughes.

The program walks a free-flowing line between funky and progressive big-band jazz, sophisticated pop, and soulful instrumental tunes that border on disco (especially the Natalie Cole-Chuck Jackson tune "Sophisticated Lady [She's a Different Lady]"), but for the most part stays on the funk side of the street. The program features some of the bigger tunes of the day, including a burning, break-laden rendition of the Isley Brothers' "Fight the Power," Gino Vanelli's "Storm at Sunup," the Spinners' "Games People Play," and the Pointer Sisters' "How Long (Betcha Got a Chick)." The charts are simply infectious. Evans, scoring for the popping bass and guitar-driven rhythm section, is always at the core.

Add Barron's smoking choppy Fender Rhodes lines and you have a bottom the drummer (who is amazingly restrained here) can play off of. Evans gives plenty of solo space to the principals while keeping things taut and grooving check out the Brecker Brothers' "Sneakin' Up Behind You," with killer breaks by Rich and a rubbery bassline by Cranshaw. The counterpoint in the horn chart between trombones and trumpets is virally infectious. Rich may not have scored commercially with this set at the time, but it has become a favorite of beat hunters since the dawn of sampling. Speak No Evil was released finally on CD by Wounded Bird in 2008.
https://www.allmusic.com/album/speak-no-evil-mw0000786612

Speak No Evil

Saturday, February 25, 2023

Buddy Rich - Sound Of Fury (Live Remastered)

Styles: Jazz, Post Bop
Year: 2022
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 47:51
Size: 110,0 MB
Art: Front

( 3:57) 1. 'Round Midnight
( 5:58) 2. Groovin' Hard
( 5:34) 3. Chelsea Bridge
( 2:01) 4. Banter
( 8:01) 5. Watson's Walk
( 5:32) 6. Theme From Love Story
( 3:53) 7. Superstar
(11:18) 8. Time Being
( 1:33) 9. Love For Sale

Arguably the greatest jazz drummer of all time, the legendary Buddy Rich exhibited his love for music through the dedication of his life to the art. His was a career that spanned seven decades, beginning when Rich was 18 months old and continuing until his death in 1987. Immensely gifted, Rich could play with remarkable speed and dexterity despite the fact that he never received a formal lesson and refused to practice outside of his performances. Born Bernard Rich to vaudevillians Robert and Bess Rich on September 30, 1917, the famed drummer was introduced to audiences at a very young age.

By 1921, he was a seasoned solo performer with his vaudeville act, "Traps the Drum Wonder." With his natural sense of rhythm, Rich performed regularly on Broadway at the age of four. At the peak of Rich's early career, he was the second-highest paid child entertainer in the world. Rich's jazz career began in 1937 when he began playing with Joe Marsala at New York's Hickory House. By 1939, he had joined Tommy Dorsey's band, and he later went on to play with such jazz greats as Dizzy Gillespie, Charlie Ventura, Louis Armstrong and Gene Krupa.

Rich was regularly featured in Jazz at the Philharmonic during the late 1940s. He also appeared in such Hollywood films as Symphony of Swing (1939), Ship Ahoy (1942) and How's About It (1943). Throughout the 1960s and 1970s, Rich toured with his own bands and opened two nightclubs, Buddy's Place and Buddy's Place II. Both clubs were regularly filled to capacity by fans of the great master drummer. After opening Buddy's Place II, Rich introduced new tunes with elements of rock into his repertoire, demonstrating his ability to adapt to his audience's changing tastes and establishing himself as a great rock drummer. Known for his caustic humor, Rich was a favorite on several television talk shows including the Tonight Show with Johnny Carson, the Mike Douglas Show, the Dick Cavett Show and the Merv Griffin Show.

During these appearances, audiences were entertained by Rich's constant sparring with the hosts and his slights of various pop singers. This famed musician received outstanding recognition throughout his career. The Downbeat Magazine Hall of Fame Award, the Modern Drummer Magazine Hall of Fame Award and the Jazz Unlimited Immortals of Jazz Award are just a few of his numerous honors. Rich gained international attention for such master compositions as his 10-minute West Side Story medley.

During his lengthy career, Rich toured around the globe, performing for millions of fans and several world leaders including the King of Thailand, King Hussein of Jordan the Queen of England, and U.S. presidents Franklin Roosevelt, John F. Kennedy and Ronald Reagan. On April 2, 1987, Rich died of heart failure following surgery for a malignant brain tumor. Longtime friend, Frank Sinatra, spoke a touching eulogy at Rich's funeral. Today, Buddy Rich is remembered as one of history's greatest musicians. According to jazz legend Gene Krupa, Rich was "The greatest drummer ever to have drawn breath."
ttps://www.allaboutjazz.com/musicians/buddy-rich

Sound Of Fury (Live Remastered)

Sunday, December 19, 2021

Buddy Rich, Harry 'Sweets' Edison - Buddy And Sweets

Styles: Swing, Bop
Year: 1955
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 38:54
Size: 90,0 MB
Art: Front

(4:35) 1. Yellow Rose Of Brooklyn
(8:20) 2. Easy Does It
(2:13) 3. All Sweets
(4:07) 4. Nice Work If You Can Get It
(9:43) 5. Barney's Bugle
(4:43) 6. Now's The Time
(5:10) 7. You're Getting To Be A Habbit With Me

The powerhouse drums of Buddy Rich together with the understated trumpet of Harry "Sweets" Edison? Seems like an odd pairing, but they really clicked on this 1955 quintet session-this is small-group swing at its liveliest and most captivating: Yellow Rose of Brooklyn; Easy Does It; Now's the Time; Nice Work if You Can Get It , and more!~Editorial Reviews https://www.amazon.com/Buddy-Sweets-Rich-Harry-Edison/dp/B0000ACAJJ

Personnel: Harry Sweets Edison – trumpet; Buddy Rich – drums; Jimmy Rowles – piano; Barney Kessel – guitar; John Simmons – bass

Buddy And Sweets

Monday, June 28, 2021

Lionel Hampton - Air Mail Special

Styles: Vibraphone Jazz
Year: 1954
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 31:54
Size: 73,2 MB
Art: Front

( 7:38) 1. Air Mail Special
( 6:13) 2. Soft Winds
( 6:51) 3. It's Only a Paper Moon
(11:11) 4. The Way You Look Tonight

This impossible-to-find LP from the 1950s contains two fine selections featuring a quartet comprised of Lionel Hampton, Oscar Peterson, Ray Brown and Buddy Rich but is most memorable for the other two numbers which add the great clarinetist Buddy DeFranco to the band. Their version of "It's Only a Paper Moon" is remarkably uptempo and really swings hard; Hampton challenges his fellow legends to some spectacular playing.~ Scott Yanow https://www.allmusic.com/album/air-mail-special-mw0000277498

Personnel: Vibraphone, Leader – Lionel Hampton; Bass – Ray Brown; Clarinet – Buddy DeFranco; Drums – Buddy Rich

Air Mail Special

Sunday, May 30, 2021

Various - Swingin' Talkin' Verve

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 55:54
Size: 128.0 MB
Styles: Swing, Big Band
Year: 1998
Art: Front

[ 2:34] 1. Quincy Jones - Air Mail Special
[ 2:32] 2. Louis Jordan - Ain't Nobody Here But Us Chickens
[ 3:15] 3. Lionel Hampton - Flying Home
[ 3:16] 4. Buddy Rich - Dateless Brown
[ 3:19] 5. Gene Krupa Big Band - Let Me Off Uptown
[ 3:24] 6. Harry James & His Orchestra - Crazy Rhythm
[ 2:53] 7. Lionel Hampton - The Blues Ain't News To Me
[10:03] 8. Buddy Rich - Jumpin' At The Woodside
[ 2:23] 9. Harry James & His Orchestra - Back Beat Boogie
[ 3:15] 10. Louis Jordan - Is You Is Or Is You Ain't My Baby
[14:24] 11. Benny Goodman - Sing Sing Sing Pts. 1 & 2
[ 4:29] 12. Clarence 'Gatemouth' Brown - Caldonia

Verve was never much of a label for the kind of music that would sound familiar to those looking for a good swing revival compilation. Still, the label scoured its vaults and came up with Swingin' Talkin' Verve, a variant on their usual series of proto-acid jazz (read: soul-jazz, Afro-Cuban, jazz-funk, etc.). The results aren't bad at all, although several of the tracks don't date from the '40s golden age of swing. Included are Gene Krupa's "Let Me Off Uptown," Buddy Rich's "Jumpin' at the Woodside," Quincy Jones' "Air Mail Special," and Harry James' "Back Beat Boogie." ~Keith Farley

Swingin' Talkin' Verve

Saturday, November 9, 2019

Charlie Parker - Charlie Parker For Lovers

Styles: Saxophone Jazz 
Year: 2006
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 36:23
Size: 84,0 MB
Art: Front

(3:29)  1. Easy To Love
(3:23)  2. Lover Man
(3:12)  3. I Didn't Know What Time It Was
(2:51)  4. I'm In The Mood For Love
(2:58)  5. Laura
(2:41)  6. Un Poquito De Tu Amor
(3:15)  7. Everything Happens To Me
(5:07)  8. I Love Paris - Take 3 / Master
(2:46)  9. Summertime
(3:28) 10. Autumn In New York
(3:07) 11. Out Of Nowhere

As part of Verve's For Lovers series, the genius alto saxophonist Charlie Parker is spotlighted on 11 tracks recorded between 1949 and 1954. This romantic set of standards aptly highlights Bird's melancholic flight, especially on the seven tracks from Charlie Parker with Strings: "Easy to Love," "I Didn't Know What Time It Was," "Laura," "Everything Happens to Me," "Summertime," "Autumn in New York," and "Out of Nowhere." Some of Bird's sidemen on these sessions include John Lewis, Red Rodney, Hank Jones, Buddy Rich, Kenny Clarke, Walter Bishop, Jr., and Ray Brown, not to mention a full string section. While this compilation contains timeless performances, it only represents a miniscule portion of Charlie Parker's panoramic legacy. ~ Al Campbell https://www.allmusic.com/album/charlie-parker-for-lovers-mw0000426002

Charlie Parker For Lovers

Sunday, October 27, 2019

Buddy Rich - Swingin' New Big Band

Styles: Jazz, Post Bop
Year: 1966
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 63:25
Size: 148,7 MB
Art: Front

( 3:22)  1. Readymix
( 5:40)  2. Basically Blues
( 3:31)  3. Critic's Choice
( 3:05)  4. My Man's Gone Now
( 2:49)  5. Up Tight (Everything's Alright)
( 3:15)  6. Sister Sadie
( 4:20)  7. More Soul
(10:48)  8. West Side Story Medley: a) Overture • b) Cool • c) Something's Coming • d) Somewhere
( 2:50)  9. What'd I Say
( 2:41) 10. Hoe Down
( 3:17) 11. Step Right Up
( 2:33) 12. Apples (aka Gino)
( 2:26) 13. Chicago
( 3:45) 14. In A Mellotone
( 2:42) 15. Never Will I Marry
( 2:45) 16. Lament For Lester
( 3:29) 17. Naptown Blues

1966 was a most illogical time for anyone to try forming a new big band but Buddy Rich beat the odds. This CD reissues the first album by the Buddy Rich Orchestra, augmenting the original Lp program with nine previously unissued performances from the same sessions. The arrangements (eight by Oliver Nelson along with charts by Bill Holman, Phil Wilson, Jay Corre, Don Rader and others) swing, put the emphasis on the ensembles and primarily feature Corre's tenor although trumpeter Bobby Shew, altoist Pete Yellin, pianist John Bunch and guitarist Barry Zweig are also heard from. Most of the songs did not stay in the drummer's repertoire long (other than Bill Reddie's adaptation of "West Side Story" and "Sister Sadie") and in fact only three members of the 17-piece orchestra would still be working for Rich a year later. An enjoyable and somewhat historic set. ~ Scott Yanow https://www.allmusic.com/album/swingin-new-big-band-mw0000179253

Personnel: Buddy Rich – drums; Gene Quill – alto saxophone, clarinet; Peter Yellin – alto saxophone, flute; Jay Corre, Martin Flax – tenor saxophone, clarinet, flute; Stephen Perlow – baritone saxophone, bass clarinet; Robert Shew, John Sottile, Yoshito Murakami, Walter Battegello – trumpet; Jim Trimble, John Boice – trombone; Dennis Good, Mike Waverley – bass trombone; John Bunch – piano; Barry Zweig – guitar; Carson Smith – bass

Swingin' New Big Band

Monday, September 30, 2019

Lester Young & Harry 'Sweets' Edison - Pres And Sweets

Styles: Saxophone And Trumpet Jazz 
Year: 1955
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 47:32
Size: 109,5 MB
Art: Front

(7:15)  1. Mean To Me
(5:12)  2. Red Boy Blues
(5:14)  3. Pennies For Heaven
(4:35)  4. That's All
(5:19)  5. One O'clock Jump
(8:24)  6. She's Funny That Way
(5:38)  7. It's The Talk Of The Town
(5:52)  8. I Found A New Baby

This 1955 session could really be termed a reunion date. The tenor saxophonist and trumpeter had worked together in the Count Basie Orchestra , Harry Edison for 17 years and Lester Young for seven of those. Together again, these two jazz giants revive the musical rapport they first developed in the Basie band. 

Young and Edison's approach on this session reflects their tenure with Basie; for example, it was common for Young to solo followed directly by Edison in the Basie days, and they follow that same plan here. The two horn players perform a swinging, rousing version of the Count's legendary "One O'Clock Jump," which features superb solos by pianist Oscar Peterson and drummer Buddy Rich, both legends in their own right. Other highlights on Pres & Sweets include the subtle "Pennies from Heaven" and the lovely ballad, "It's the Talk of the Town," the latter of which displays Herb Ellis' delicate guitar stylings and Pres' beautiful light and airy tone. ~ Rovi Staff https://www.allmusic.com/album/pres-and-sweets-mw0000264791

Personnel: Harry Edison - trumpet; Lester Young - tenor saxophone; Oscar Peterson - piano; Herb Ellis - guitar; Ray Brown - bass; Buddy Rich - drums

Pres And Sweets

Friday, September 6, 2019

Buddy Rich - Keep The Customer Satisfied

Styles: Jazz, Post Bop
Year: 2001
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 71:36
Size: 165,3 MB
Art: Front

( 6:40)  1. Keep The Customer Satisfied
( 4:42)  2. Long Day's Journey
(11:12)  3. Midnight Cowboy Medley
( 3:35)  4. Celebration
( 5:25)  5. Groovin' Hard
( 4:32)  6. The Juicer Is Wild
( 7:30)  7. Winning The West
( 4:54)  8. Body And Soul
( 3:57)  9. Happy Time
( 4:07) 10. The Nitty Gritty
( 4:17) 11. Straight And Narrow
( 5:54) 12. Groovin' Hard
( 4:45) 13. Cornerstone

In the late sixties drum virtuoso Buddy Rich recorded a series of albums for Liberty/Pacific Jazz that most critics agree were the best of his career. Keep The Customer Satisfied captures Rich, an admitted showoff, performing live before an enthusiastic audience at the Tropicana Hotel in Las Vegas. Of the original seven tracks, only one (the epic, eleven-minute Midnight Cowboy Medley ) was recorded in a Los Angeles studio. At the time of this recording, Toronto resident Pat LaBarbara was a prominent member of the band and his frequent tenor solos are most impressive. In addition, the album features solid contributions from Rick Stepton (trombone), Richie Cole (alto) and George Zonce (trumpet). The arrangements, particularly those of Don Piestrup and Bill Holman, are custom tailored to showcase Rich’s relentless drive and his band’s brassy exuberance. Keep The Customer Satisfied includes six previously unissued bonus tracks that, while of interest to Rich completists, don’t really measure up to the original seven chosen. Hot and very satisfying! #### ~ John Sharpe https://www.allaboutjazz.com/keep-the-customer-satisfied-buddy-rich-blue-note-records-review-by-john-sharpe.php

Personnel: Joe Giorgiani, John Madrid, Mike Price, George Zonce, trumpet; Rick Stepton, Tony Lada, trombone; Larry Fisher, bass trombone; Jimmy Mosher, Richie Cole, flute, alto sax; Pat LaBarbara, tenor sax, soprano sax, flute; Don Englert, tenor sax, soprano sax, flute; Bob Suchoski, baritone sax; Mickey McClain, piano, organ; Rick Laird, electric bass; Buddy Rich, drums

Keep The Customer Satisfied

Sunday, June 2, 2019

Gene Krupa, Buddy Rich - The Drum Battle

Styles: Jazz, Post Bop
Year: 1999
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 35:47
Size: 82,7 MB
Art: Front

(0:42)  1. Introduction
(6:46)  2. Idaho
(4:39)  3. Sophisticated Lady
(5:56)  4. Flying Home
(9:04)  5. Drum Boogie
(3:36)  6. The Drum Battle
(5:01)  7. Perdido

This set was initially issued as the 15th instalment in Norman Grantz's Jazz at the Philharmonic series of LPs, EPs, and 45s. As that highly collectible compilation of performances has been out of print since the 1960s, many of the volumes were later issued under the respective artists' name. As the title would imply, Drum Battle: Jazz at the Philharmonic features the artistry of the Gene Krupa Trio with Buddy Rich (drums) sitting in on a few numbers as well as the inimitable jazz scat vocalizations of Ella Fitzgerald on a hot steppin' and definitive "Perdido." Opening the disc is Krupa's trio with Willie Smith (alto sax) and Hank Jones (piano) providing a solid and singularly swinging rhythm section. While Smith drives the band, Krupa is front and center with his antagonistic percussive prodding. "Idaho" is marked with Jones' rollicking post-bop mastery as he trades solos with Smith and can be heard quoting lines from Monk before yielding to Smith. The cover of Duke Ellington's "Sophisticated Lady" sparkles from beginning to end. Jones' opening flourish sets the tenure as Smith settles into a smoky lead, containing some nice syncopation and regal augmentation from Jones. Krupa primarily provides ample rhythm work on the emotive ballad. Smith's diversion into "Stormy Weather" is notable for exemplifying the lyrically improvisational nature of this combo. The tempo is significantly stepped up on a cover of Benny Goodman's "Flying Home," which is full of high-spirited playing and garners a sizable reaction from the audience. 

The lengthy "Drum Boogie" is one of Krupa's signature pieces and is greeted with tremendous enthusiasm. Buddy Rich climbs on board for a one-on-one duel with Krupa, whose styles mesh into a mile-a-minute wash of profound percussion. The duet segues into an inspired and free-form jam on "Perdido," with Fitzgerald belting out her lines with authority, class, and most of all, soul. ~ Lindsay Planer https://www.allmusic.com/album/the-drum-battle-mw0000318913

Personnel:  Gene Krupa – drums; Buddy Rich – drums; Roy Eldridge – trumpet; Charlie Shavers – trumpet; Benny Carter – alto saxophone; Flip Phillips – tenor saxophone; Lester Young – tenor saxophone; Hank Jones – piano; Oscar Peterson – piano; Willie Smith – piano; Barney Kessel – guitar; Ray Brown – double bass; Ella Fitzgerald – vocals

The Drum Battle

Friday, January 25, 2019

Harry James - Wild About Harry!

Styles: Trumpet Jazz
Year: 2000
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 38:25
Size: 89,0 MB
Art: Front

(4:14)  1. Barn 12
(4:53)  2. What Am I Here For
(2:39)  3. Blues For Harry's Sake
(4:00)  4. Bee Gee
(3:22)  5. Blues On A Count
(4:14)  6. Kinda Like The Blues
(4:42)  7. Blues For Lovers Only
(3:11)  8. Countin'
(3:26)  9. Cotton Pickin'
(3:42) 10. Ring For Porter

By 1957, Harry James was in an artistic rut. Although he would occasionally try to come up with fresh material, he never did regain the stature he had in the 1940s. This Capitol LP mostly contains material arranged by Ernie Wilkins and the result is that the James band often sounds like Count Basie's. Buddy Rich's drumming helps uplift the band, altoist Willie Smith, tenorman Corky Corcoran and trombonist Herbie Harper have some good spots and James is in good form but the music is not all that memorable. ~ Scott Yanow https://www.allmusic.com/album/wild-about-harry-mw0000869403

Personnel:   Trumpet – Harry James; Saxophone – Willie Smith, Corky Corcoran, Ernest Small, Francis Polifroni, Herb Lorden; Trumpet – Robert Rolfe, Don Paladino, Nick Buono, Ray Linn; Trombone – Robert Edmondson, Herb Harper, Robert Robinson; Piano – Larry Kinnamon; Guitar – Allan Reuss; Bass – Russ Phillips; Drums - Buddy Rich.

Wild About Harry!

Tuesday, January 22, 2019

Harry James - The Complete Harry James In Hi-Fi Disc 1 And Disc 2

Album: The Complete Harry James In Hi-Fi Disc 1

Styles: Trumpet Jazz
Year: 2008
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 67:48
Size: 157,6 MB
Art: Front

(3:11)  1. Cherry
(3:09)  2. Jalousie
(3:09)  3. Sleepy Lagoon
(3:31)  4. You Made Me Love You
(2:41)  5. Trumpet Blues
(2:56)  6. I've Heard That Song Before
(3:07)  7. I'm Beginning To See The Light
(3:07)  8. It's Been A Long Long Time
(3:20)  9. I Cried For You
(3:12) 10. My Silent Love
(3:40) 11. Velvet Moon
(5:04) 12. James Session
(3:11) 13. Music Makers
(1:38) 14. Ciribiribin
(3:00) 15. Two O'clock Jump
(2:44) 16. The Mole
(3:15) 17. Carnival
(4:00) 18. Autumn Serenade
(5:35) 19. Street Scene
(4:09) 20. September Song


Album: The Complete Harry James In Hi-Fi Disc 2

Time: 71:34
Size: 166,5 MB

(3:58)  1. Blue Again
(3:01)  2. Melancholy Rhapsody
(2:55)  3. These Foolish Things
(2:24)  4. Somebody Loves Me
(1:55)  5. Sleepy Time Gal
(2:59)  6. Don'che 'Go Way Mad
(3:12)  7. Crazy Rhythm
(3:12)  8. Strictly Instrumental
(3:17)  9. April In Paris
(3:04) 10. Walkin' Home
(3:48) 11. Smog bound
(2:21) 12. In A Sentimental Mood
(3:25) 13. Blues For A Count
(2:27) 14. Countin'
(4:21) 15. What Am I Here For?
(3:54) 16. Kinda Like The Blues
(3:41) 17. Cotton Pickin'
(2:55) 18. Blues For Harry's Sake
(4:29) 19. Blues For Lovers Only
(3:09) 20. Bee Gee
(3:53) 21. Barn 12
(3:04) 22. Ring For Porter

Three complete albums plus bonus tracks on a superb 2-CD collection. Made during the first years of the LP era, the Harry James albums Harry James in Hi-Fi and More Harry James in Hi-Fi comprised some of the greatest hits of the James orchestra - a unit that by that time had been working unceasingly with few changes since 1939. Among the instrumental figures present on both of the 1955-1956 albums were trombonist Juan Tizol (who had made a name for himself as part of the Duke Ellington orchestra) and saxophonist Willie Smith. By the time the LPs were made, both had been playing more than a decade with Harry James. Tizol entered the band in May 1944, while Smith joined a few months later, in November 1944. Both albums were best sellers when first issued, and are presented here in their entirety with the addition of four performances that were taken from the "More Harry James in Hi-Fi" sessions but originally issued on compilation albums. https://www.freshsoundrecords.com/harry-james-albums/5276-the-complete-harry-james-in-hi-fi-2-cd-set.htm

Personnel:  Harry James, Conrad Gozzo (tp), Ray Sims, Juan Tizol, Dick Nash (tb), Willie Smith (as), Corky Corcoran (ts), Larry Kinnamon (p), Allan Reuss (g), Bob Stone (b), Buddy Rich (d), Helen Forrest (vcl)


Tuesday, January 8, 2019

Buddy Rich - Buddy Rich Band

Styles: Jazz, Post Bop
Year: 1981
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 36:57
Size: 86,2 MB
Art: Front

( 4:54)  1. Never Can Say Goodbye
( 4:41)  2. Fantasy
( 3:34)  3. Listen Here Goes Funky
( 5:46)  4. Slow Funk
( 3:34)  5. Beulah Witch
(14:26)  6. Good News

This release finds Buddy Rich, nearly 65 at the time, trying to appeal to a popular audience by infusing more elements of funk and rock into the big band sound. The technical execution of the pieces by the ensemble is just fine, but the project should never have been attempted in the first place. The set opens with a bland arrangement of "Never Can Say Goodbye," a pop tune done by the Jackson 5, which sets the tone for the album. The majority of the selections were arranged by Harold Wheeler, but the two tracks arranged by Robert Mintzer"Slow Funk" and "Good News are far more effective. "Good News" closes the album and is the best track of the set. It is an epic at 14:24, which features an extended solo from Rich himself. It was a showcase piece which extended out even further in concert. In all, the album has a few moments, but is not representative of Rich's best work. He was much better off when he stuck to conventional jazz formulas. ~ Steven Jacobetz https://www.allmusic.com/album/the-buddy-rich-band-mw0000198264

Buddy Rich Band

Monday, June 18, 2018

The Buddy Rich Big Band - Mercy, Mercy

Styles: Jazz, Bop, Big Band 
Year: 1968
File: MP3@320K/s 
Time: 61:52 
Size: 144,5 MB 
Art: Front

( 5:35)  1. Mercy, Mercy, Mercy
( 4:06)  2. Preach And Teach
(12:50)  3. Channel 1 Suite
( 3:22)  4. Big Mama Cass
( 6:18)  5. Goodbye Yesterday
( 5:50)  6. Acid Truth
( 3:49)  7. Alfie
( 3:39)  8. Ode To Billie Joe
( 5:21)  9. Chavala
( 5:47) 10. Mr. Lucky
( 5:11) 11. Chelsea Bridge

This CD reissue brings back the finest all-round recording by Buddy Rich's big band. The original version of "Channel 1 Suite" is a classic and contains tenor saxophonist Don Menza's most memorable solo, plus a couple of brilliant improvisations from the explosive drummer/leader. Another highlight is an inventive Phil Wilson arrangement of "Mercy, Mercy, Mercy," and even "Alfie" (a melodic feature for altoist Art Pepper) and "Ode to Billie Joe" come across well. In addition to the original LP program, three selections were released for the first time on this CD. 

"Chelsea Bridge" is particularly significant, for it showcases Pepper, who was making a brief (and unsuccessful) comeback seven years before he finally returned to the scene. This spirited and often-exciting set is a real gem and is essential. ~ Scott Yanow https://www.allmusic.com/album/mercy-mercy-mw0000619226     

Personnel:  Buddy Rich - drums;  Walter Namuth - guitar;  William Prince - trumpet;  Al Porcino - trumpet;  Kenneth Faul - trumpet;  David Culp - trumpet; Jim Trimble - trombone;  Richard Stepton - trombone;  Peter Graves - bass trombone;  Don Menza - tenor saxophone, arranger;  Art Pepper - alto saxophone;  Charles Owen -salto saxophone, arranger;  Pat LaBarbera - tenor saxophone;  John Laws - baritone saxophone;  Joe Azarellopiano;  Gary Walters - bass, string bass.
 

Thursday, June 14, 2018

Buddy Rich - The Solos

Styles: Jazz, Post Bop
Year: 2014
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 66:47
Size: 161,5 MB
Art: Front

( 8:09)  1. Solo 1 (Live from Toronto, Canada, 1977)
( 8:20)  2. Solo 2 (Live from Germany, 1977)
( 9:28)  3. Solo 3 (Live from Disneyland, California, 1977)
( 4:58)  4. Solo 4 (Live from Sacramento, CA, 1977)
(10:58)  5. Solo 5 (Live from Germany, 1977)
( 7:24)  6. Solo 6 (Live from Binghamton, NY, 1976)
( 4:48)  7. Solo 7 (Live from Orlando, FL, 1976)
( 4:34)  8. Solo 8 (Live from Montreal, Canada, 1976)
( 8:03)  9. Solo 9 (Live from Boston Globe JazzFest, 1976)

An unusual album for sure, but one that should hold special interest for Buddy Rich fanatics, the 2014 compilation The Solos, features live recordings made of Rich during various concert dates in the 1970s. Rather than include complete tracks, however, The Solos showcases only Rich's solo improvisations. Perhaps not the best album for background listening or casual enjoyment, The Solos will certainly appeal to fans and music students fascinated by Rich's frenetic, virtuosic swing drumming style.

The Solos

Saturday, June 9, 2018

Zoot Sims, Bucky Pizzarelli - Nirvana

Styles: Saxophone Jazz
Year: 1974
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 41:20
Size: 96,1 MB
Art: Front

(4:16)  1. Summerset
(4:00)  2. Honeysuckle Rose
(3:20)  3. A Summer Thing
(3:38)  4. Somebody Loves Me
(2:54)  5. Gee Baby, Ain't I Good To You
(4:19)  6. Nirvana
(4:05)  7. Indiana
(4:08)  8. Memories Of You
(4:39)  9. Come Rain Or Come Shine
(3:25) 10. Up A Lazy River
(2:30) 11. Send In The Clowns

Nirvana is an album by American jazz saxophonist Zoot Sims and guitarist Bucky Pizzarelli with special guest Buddy Rich recorded in 1974 and released on the Groove Merchant label. https://en.wikipedia.or /wiki/Nirvana_(Zoot_Sims_and_Bucky_Pizzarelli_album)

Personnel:  Zoot Sims – tenor saxophone, vocals on track 5;  Bucky Pizzarelli – guitar;  Milt Hinton – bass;  Buddy Rich – drums (tracks 1–4 & 6–11), vocals on track 5;  Stan Kay – drums (track 5)

Nirvana

Wednesday, June 6, 2018

Lionel Hampton - The Lionel Hampton Quintet

Styles: Vibraphone Jazz
Year: 1954
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 72:10
Size: 168,0 MB
Art: Front

(17:11)  1. Flying Home
( 6:33)  2. Je Ne Sais Pas
( 5:52)  3. On the Sunny Side of the Street
( 6:25)  4. April in Paris
( 9:28)  5. Don't Be That Way
( 8:36)  6. These Foolish Things
(11:14)  7. The Way You Look Tonight
( 6:48)  8. It's Only a Paper Moon

In 1954, producer Norman Granz held a couple of marathon recording sessions featuring vibraphonist Lionel Hampton, pianist Oscar Peterson, bassist Ray Brown, drummer Buddy Rich, and (on April 13) clarinetist Buddy DeFranco. This set has three selections from the DeFranco date (a 17-plus-minute "Flying Home," the original "Je Ne Sais Pas," and "On the Sunny Side of the Street") and one from the earlier session ("April in Paris"). Hampton is typically exuberant throughout (grunting rather loudly during a few later ensemble choruses on "Flying Home"), DeFranco and Peterson are as swinging as usual, and the overall music is quite joyous. Even if "Flying Home" does not reach Granz's claim of being the best-ever version of the song (one misses the honking tenor and screaming trumpet), this is an excellent and rather spontaneous outing. [The Verve Master Edition also features the tracks "Don't Be That Way," "These Foolish Things," "The Way You Look Tonight," and "It's Only a Paper Moon."] ~ Scott Yanow https://www.allmusic.com/album/the-lionel-hampton-quintet-mw0000591293 

Personnel:  Lionel Hampton - vibraphone;  Buddy DeFranco - clarinet;  Oscar Peterson - piano;  Ray Brown - double bass;  Buddy Rich - drums

The Lionel Hampton Quintet

Friday, April 13, 2018

Art Tatum - The Best Of The Pablo Group Masterpieces (Remastered)

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 69:57
Size: 160.1 MB
Styles: Piano jazz
Year: 2003/2006
Art: Front

[5:03] 1. Perdido
[7:07] 2. Memories Of You
[3:34] 3. You Took Advantage Of Me
[7:12] 4. All The Things You Are
[5:22] 5. Body And Soul
[6:13] 6. Under A Blanket Of Blue
[4:11] 7. The Moon Is Low
[7:11] 8. Just One Of Those Things
[3:49] 9. Street Of Dreams
[7:11] 10. Somebody Loves Me
[7:14] 11. My Ideal
[5:45] 12. Deep Night

Alto Saxophone – Benny Carter (tracks: 6, 9); Bass – John Simmons (tracks: 3, 7), Red Callender (tracks: 2, 4, 8, 11, 12); Drums – Alvin Stoller (tracks: 3, 7), Bill Douglass (2) (tracks: 2, 4, 11, 12), Buddy Rich (tracks: 1, 5, 10), Jo Jones (tracks: 8), Louis Bellson (tracks: 6, 9); Guitar – Barney Kessel (tracks: 10); Piano – Art Tatum; Tenor Saxophone – Ben Webster (tracks: 4, 11); Trumpet – Harry "Sweets" Edison (tracks: 10), Roy Eldridge (tracks: 3, 7); Vibraphone [Vibes] – Lionel Hampton (tracks: 1, 5, 10).

A rich and rewarding core sample, selected from one of Norman Granz's deepest gold mines. The full set of Tatum ensemble master takes was released on eight vinyl records in 1975, appearing with alternate takes as a box of seven compact discs in 1990. Since then, each separate session has been issued on a single, affordable CD. With the release of this best-of, the only remaining untried reissue format stratagem could almost be conducted according to the laws of chance. If someone were to divide up the existing 59 master takes (saving the alternate takes for a "Best of the Tatum Alternates" compilation), the entire body of work could be issued as a numbered best-of series, the titles carefully shuffled at random. But each volume would possibly still omit something that could be considered essential. This is the insoluble problem with anything calling itself a best-of. Fortunately, the Tatum group recordings produced by Norman Granz during the years 1954, 1955, and 1956 actually deserve the word "masterpieces." While Tatum himself is honored as one of the very most gifted and influential of all jazz musicians, without exception every musician who participated in these sessions was adept, inspired, and, in many cases, masterful. (There are those who would suggest that the Art Tatum/Ben Webster date could stand by itself as the best of the group masterpieces.) Here, for once, is a package worthy of its title. A bit of the best of some of the very best jazz ever recorded. ~arwulf arwulf

The Best Of The Pablo Group Masterpieces (Remastered) mc
The Best Of The Pablo Group Masterpieces (Remastered) zippy