1. Free Flight
2. This is the Moment
3. Blues for Royalty
4. Yo Go Jo Po
5. Turn Up the Audio for Claudio
6. Walking Proud
7. On Green Dolphin Street
8. Blues Machine
9. A Minor Affair
10. Hard Sock Dance
Lanny Morgan, Brian Scanlon, Pete Christlieb, Vince Trombetta, Gene
Cipriano - Reeds
Charlie Davis, Chuck Findley, Bob Findley, Bob Summers - Trumpets
Andy Martin, Steve Holtman, Charley Morillas, Ken Kugler - Trombones
David Garfield - Piano
Barry Zweig - Guitar
Bruce Lett - Bass
This band was assembled by Emil Richards (vibes) and Joe Porcaro
(drums). Emil is a leading percussionist in the studios of LA and
Joe is also a leading percussionist in the same area. They both hail
from Hartford Connecticut and they have both worked the full gambit
of music from jazz to classical and most things in between!
The CVs of the band members justify the title of an "Allstar"
big band: everyone has paid his dues, performing with the best of
the best, and so as you expect this is a big band of great quality.
The playing is crisp and clean and the solos a delight. The arrangements
by the likes of Sammy Nestico and others are extremely musical and
it is a real treat to hear them played so well.
Today there are only a few working big bands. This wonderful music
has become a hobby item for musicians, who earn their living playing
in other genres, or it is played by musical educators and enthusiastic
amateurs. For the latter group of players this album is an indication
of what can be achieved when the charts are played correctly.
The sound on the record is clean and very well balanced and a joy
to listen to. The recording and the mixing by Mark Waldrep is excellent;
he was also in charge of Art Direction, Production - another area
where this record excels.
The DVD has two sides, one as a DVD video and the other as a DVD
audio; this only plays on DVD audio players, something I dont own.
The arrangements are by Sammy Nestico tracks 1,2,8 and 9
Allyn Ferguson tracks 3 and 6
Emil Radoccia tracks 4 and 5
Bronislaw Caper track 7
Quincy Jones track 10.
Probably the best known of the soloists are Lanny Morgan and Pete
Christlieb, but the others are all well worth paying attention to.
I recommend this DVD without any reservation. It is superb music,
and it is well packaged and well recorded. Who could ask for anything
more!
Don Mather
CD Reviews
AIX 80035
