Customer Reviews

Best Of Buddy Rich

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This is a collection of three albums from 1973 and 1974. There's a lot of great music on these CDs, but I would not call this box set "the best" of Buddy. I will say it is a good representation of his musical style and well worth buying. If you've never heard Buddy before this is a good primer to the works of THE BEST drummer of all time.

Although a good value, this "best of" collection does not represent Buddy Rich's top recordings. Because of the various recording companies for whom he worked, it would most likely be impossible to compile.

At any rate, if you are relatively new to the "Drum Wonder" known as Buddy Rich, the following might be helpful as one person's opinion of his best recordings.

To start, I would purchase the DVD, "Jazz Legend", which is narrated by his good friend, Mel Torme. It is informative and has some great videos of Rich's early and late drumming exploits in his music career.

My favorite CD is "Wham!". I seem to listen all the way through rather than burning favorites to a compilation.

Finally, if I had the ability to produce a CD of his best, this is what I would choose:

Caravan, Cherokee and 2 O'Clock Jump - from "Jazz Legend" DVD, some incredible early Buddy with Harry James Orchestra.

Channel One Suite, Apples, Love for Sale, Diabolus - from "Best of the Pacific Jazz Years". Love for Sale gives me goosebumps every time. With Diabolus, the notes say that Rich played this cut after hearing the song just once....with all the time changes, this is simply incredible.

Playhouse from "Big Band Machine"; Bugle Call Rag, So What! - from "Wham!"
Straight No Chaser - "Time Being"; Away We Go - from "The New One"; Coming Home - from "Buddy and Soul"

From "Live in Montreal, 1982", I would add The Carioca, Green Dolphin Street (broken stick and all!) and close with Brush Strokes.

If I had room, I might also add West Side Story Medley, Greensleeves, Rotten Kid, Dancing Man and a very cute Beat Goes On with his daughter, Cathy singing from "Swing Face".

After listening to these cuts, you will know there was not a better big band drummer who existed.

Great value for the money 3 cd's for the price of one. Superb playing from a master craftman. "The roar of '74" is the jewel of this set.

Your inventory procedures are VERY faulty. First, you said you had the item in stock. Then you said you did not, and referred me to Woody's Books. They said THEY had it in stock, and said they shipped 2 copies, not the one I ordered. Then they said 1 copy was returned to them (damaged) by the USPS, and the other was still on its way. Then they asked me to confirm delivery of the CD. Told them I couldn't, I hadn't received it yet. Then, 4 DAYS AFTER CHRISTMAS, they told me they didn't have the CD to ship after all!!! Does your right hand know what your left hand is doing? Does your right hand even KNOW there is a left hand? This could all have been avoided if you had given me the right information the first time. I am extremely dissatisfied with your service and procedures.