The second album for the Boss Brass was a 2-disc LP direct to disc and without a doubt one of the top big band albums of the modern period (post 1970) and a 'desert-island' pick by most. Rob received a Juno award (Canadian equivalent of a Grammy) for 'Best Jazz Album" in 1978 for his effort. The audio quality not to mention the arrangements are impeccable. As usual, the band is fantastic despite the stress of a direct-to-disc session. The liner notes from the original LP aptly describe the studio session and are worth a read. Forgive the gatefold scans.
Both the reissued CD and the original LP are included as the takes are different (except for some reason the Porgy & Bess Suite). If you had listened to the LP as frequently as I had and became accustomed to the solos, the reissue of the CD caused untold listening stress. Make no mistake, both sets are brilliant. Creatures of habit can download both. Others may comfortably stick to the digital version notwithstanding the pretty good virgin/sealed LP rip.
This album put the band on the map in the U.S. where they would eventually travel in the summer of 1981 to debut at the Monterey Jazz Festival in California. They would also play Carmelo's in L.A. to a appreciative crowd of both fans and well known musicians. Ian McDougall reflected on these gigs:
"And it’s amazing what a compliment to Rob for, when you look at the people sitting in the club and you’ve got Nelson Riddle, Hank Mancini sitting there, all the guys from the Tonight Show Band. Doc Severinson of that band. Composers. Woody Herman also."
The band recorded a video at Howard Rumsey's Concerts by the Sea. Some clips of this gig can be seen here on Waltz I Blew for You and Street of Dreams.
To perform so well for 4 LP sides of a direct-to-disc (note that the Porgy & Bess Suite is a full 15 minute side), is remarkable if not expected of such great players. Please enjoy this 2-for-1 special of what is unquestionably one of the best albums of the Boss Brass.
Personnel
Rob McConnell - Leader, Arranger, Valve Trombone
Moe Koffman - Alto, Soprano, Flute, Clarinet
Jerry Toth - Alto, Flute, Clarinet
Eugene Amaro - Tenor, Flute, Clarinet
Rick Wilkins - Tenor, Clarinet
Gary Morgan - Baritone, Bass Clarinet
Trumpets:
Arnie Chycoski, Guido Basso, Erich Traugott, Sam Noto, Bruce Cassidy
Trombones:
Ian McDougall, Bob Livingston, Dave McMurdo, Ron Hughes
French Horns:
Brad Warnaar, George Stimpson
Jimmy Dale - Piano
Terry Clarke - Drums
Don Thompson - Bass
Ed Bickert - Guitar
Marty Morell - Percussion
Doug Riley - Piano (1-3)
Bobby Edwards (1-3)
Tracklist
01. Just Friends [0:06:12.40]
02. Keep Me In Your Heart [0:04:06.40]
03. Runaway Hormones [0:05:17.55]
04. Street of Dreams [0:06:57.40]
05. Dirty Man [0:03:56.63]
06. A Tribute To Art Fern [0:05:05.07]
07. Fred [0:06:04.28]
08. Good Morning Irene [0:04:14.27]
09. No More Blues [0:06:04.08]
10. Porgy & Bess Suite [0:15:22.57]
Recording Time - 63:23
EAC Log
Exact Audio Copy V1.0 beta 1 from 15. November 2010
EAC extraction logfile from 6. November 2011, 12:51
Rob McConnell / Big Band Jazz
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Delete leading and trailing silent blocks : No
Null samples used in CRC calculations : Yes
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Gap handling : Appended to previous track
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Hi, I have been looking everywhere for this wonderful music but have no record player anymore. Could you repost this, please?
ResponderExcluirThank you, Peter