Customer Reviews

Herb Alpert's Ninth (Spkg)

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I had not heard this album for many many years until I receieved my copy (along with Sounds Like and BOTB) today. I remembered this album as a good one although not one of Herb's best.
Perhaps I have mellowed with age, but "Ninth" is one of the most enjoyable TJB albums. The remaster sounds wounderful, the liner notes and photos great and the tunes are fantastic.
Ofter overshadowed by BOTB, Whipped Cream and Going PLaces, Ninth is a worthy addition to the TJB cataloge and one of the most consistant and enjoyable TJB albums.

The title leaves no doubt who TJB really was and deservedly so. But in my mind, this is the last of the albums that Herb seemed focused on the group. Perhaps the rousing rendition of Carmen, which parodies previous TJB songs, was the first indicator that Herb was heading off on his own. Nonetheless, this album still has the energy and freshness of the preceding ablums.

By the cover, one would imagine this is another theme album; Herb Alpert & The Tijuana Brass does Beethoven. This is not the case. It comes from the last track on the album. Carmen. Alpert arranged the Tijuana Brass' sound with a full orchestra, representing the main theme in a variety of rhythms associated with the group and a refrence to Tijuana Taxi at the end.
The cd starts with the hit single, Abanda. Alpert turns the standard, My Heart Belongs to Daddy, into a crisp bossa nova and Trolley Song into a slow ballad. The Surpremes' hit, The Happening is turned into an uptempo shuffle. Bud is dedicated to guitarist, Bud Coleman. He was a part of the Baja Marimba Band and wrote Tijuana Taxi, a major hit for the Brass in 1965, and guitarist for some TJB recordings. It features a beautifully played mandolin solo played by either John Pisano or Tommy Tedesco. Love Nest is an extremely fast samba, as Herb doesn't do much with the Beatles hit, A Little Help From My Friends. Julius Wechter's Flea Bag is catchy, as is Cowboys and Indians, and the album comes to a close with the infectious Carmen.
A solid effort by the Tijuana Brass. Pretty much the same style as the previous albums with a few new twists and turns. Definately worth the price.

For me the 'golden era' of The Brass was in '66 and '67. The albums released over this time period were What Now My Love, SRO, Sounds Like and, towards the end of '67, this truly amazing album.

Where other reviewers have suggested that this album is a bit 'mellower' or not as punchy as the earlier releases, it is for that very reason I am drawn to it so much. It certainly is no half-hearted effort by far.

Each track is laid with power and emotion, rhythm and clarity, warmth and earnestness. Excellent choice of melodies produced to perfection.
It is very hard to have a favourite.

Just listen to the sample clips and let the moods wash over you.

What an album!

Originally released in late `67, Herb Alpert's Ninth (stereo only) is the most laid back or perhaps, sluggish album from Herb Alpert and the Tijuana Brass. I wasn't too disappointed upon hearing it again, slightly troubled by what sounded like a lack of motivation, and a muffled trumpet that bore little similarity to the glorious tone exhibited on the "South Of The Border," "Whipped Cream" or "Going Places" discs. Some of "The Ninth" is good, with A Banda, My Heart Belongs To Daddy, Bud, Flea Bag and of course the "musical tour-de-force," Carmen to give the album some merit. But there are some weeds in the garden too.

Here is my score sheet:

01. A Banda - 8/10 The arrangement and execution is flawless.

02. My Heart Belongs To Daddy - 9/10 I always thought this "Ninth" classic should have been the opening track.

03. The Trolley Song - 7/10 Back in the sixties I didn't care for the choice in tempo used on this one, but now I feel it was a good decision.

04. The Happening - 5/10 A "feelin' groovy" cover of the Supremes hit song.

05. Bud - 8/10 A beautiful tribute to Ervan Coleman. When Pisano escorts the song to its exit on solo guitar, it almost tears me up.

06. Love So Fine - 8/10 I noticed that this one is more in tune on the compact disc. It was always a little bit flat on the 33 1/3 version. The violins give it that "top down wind in your hair" kind of feeling.

07. The Love Nest - 7/10 I like the samba rhythm and the horn solo.

08. With A Little Help From My Friends - 3/10 It's pretty much one of the more straight and conventional covers Alpert did. I think it suffers a bit for that.

09. Flea Bag - 8/10 A pleasant song, with a sort of a Classical Glissando at the beginning.

10. Cowboys And Indians - 3/10 This one has that clip-clop percussion in it that is so reminiscent of Marching Thru Madrid from the yet to be released Volume 2.

11. Carmen - 10/10 The run-through of the "Carmen" melody in differing TJB styles is a true tour-de-force. I love the sense of humor. A nice rendering and very inventive.


If there ever was a "punchin' the clock" type album this is it. Like I said, the Ninth sounds a bit tired at times and lacks that electricity of those great TJB albums of 1964/65. But, on the other hand you don't want to keep repeating the same old formula either.

The compact disc sounds a lot better than my old vinyl copy. I hear a few more subtle sounds, some crisp highs. I also notice a bit of a tape gurgle at the end of The Trolley Song, but that's a small glitch.

So, Herb Alpert's Ninth gets 3 big stars for the music and 3 stars for some good packaging, So if I'm correct, that equals 3 stars!

It's just fantastic that the Herb Alpert albums from the 60-ties are released again. I still have al the LP's but buy again these new releases. They look perfect, they sound perfect.
I'm very content about Amazon's service.

great music by the brass,and fond memories of their great music that I used to listen to and enjoy so much..

Finally on CD after a 23 year wait is this classic from Herb and the Brass. Just having "Carmen" and "Flea Bag" on CD alone is worth the price of the disc. But there are many more TJB classics here. "Love So Fine", "Bud", "The Happening" and others. The mastering is superb on this disc. Probably the best sounding of the whole series sonically. Rare photos and interesting liner notes also add to the ecstasy of listening to this marvelous disc in digital stereo.

Herb Alpert and the TJB are known for bright little instrumental pieces, heavy on the brass and often with a latin flavor to them. For the most part, this album fits in with that vision but there is something different about it as well. It seems to be a bit slower paced and more contemplative. The melodies are still beautiful and some are indeed fast or playful but the overall mood is a slower one. That being said, this album is still a source of joy and forms a pleasant background to my day.

I really enjoy this album. My children, ranging from age 10 to age 23 also like it -- especially the last piece, Carmen. ABanda is a solid brass piece; The Happening is upbeat and well performed; Bud is mellow with a good beat and beautiful guitar playing. Flea Bag has a great trombone part that is very entertaining. The music is very catchy and was arranged and performed by people with real musical talent.