Customer Reviews

The Best of Stan Kenton

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

 

 

This is an extremely listenable, energetic (for the most part) collection that begins with some of earlier upbeat pieces, with Kenton's hallmark screeching trumpets and catchy riffs. The album maintains a chronology, so that by the time you hear Stompin' at the Savoy you can tell the band has evolved in its style. Kenton explores a lot of different beats and uses first-rate soloists (all brass and saxophones)which often overshadow his own piano.

Personal favorites on this CD are Cole Porter's 'Lover', Ray Wetzel's 'Intermission Riff' and Kenton's own 'Artistry Jumps'. If you like loud jazz, you will enjoy this album. Recording quality is about par for 1940s and 1950s -- meaning if you like big stereo sound you may be disappointed. I have found that some of the better monaural recordings (and Capitol Records was excellent) are just as satisfying or better than some of the overblown stereo of the late 1950s/early 1960s.

Recommended.

From Kenton's early days through his "Cuban Fire" era, this recording offers a wonderful sampling of Kenton's best known works. From "Malaguena" to "23..82", you can hear how Don Ellis developed his sense of time, and how other future composers developed their talents as well. --A great overall album for anyone who is interested in Kenton on any level

Kenton at his finest. Good music to listen to. Not for everybody,but he helped the Four Freshman get started ,and Maynard Furgeson played with him. What a sound. Buy it.

I really liked this The Best of Stan Kenton because it captures some of his best works and the quality of recording is great. The Peanut Vendor and Intermission Riff are two of my favorites. If there were any drawbacks, it would be that he did'nt have as much high screeching trumpets as he usually does, except for Maynard Ferguson of course. The other instruments were superb.

I think that this has a wonderful trumpet solo! Who ever playes it is extrordinarily talnted. The first time that I heard it was on a band trip, I was very impressed! Everyone should listen\ buy this CD\tape.

A PRETTY GOOD CD, however, most of the songs are from 1945 to 47, and the renditions are not as good as the Kenton works of
the 1950's, e.g., The Peanut Vendor, etc.

David

I got into Stan Kenton in the strangest way. There is a radio show devoted to shortwave broadcasting called "DXing with Cumbre" hosted by Marie Lamb. I sent her an email about the opening and closing music for her show and that's when I discovered Stan. She used "Intermission Riff" which I fell in love with. The rest of the CD is a wonderful sonic trip through time and some of the tunes remind you of the stuff that Ricky Ricardo played on "I Love Lucy". My daughter calls it "Lucy Music"! Good stuff even if you are not a jazz fan.

It's hard to reproduce great quality sound from 1961 and beyond, but just hearing those great Stan Kenton arrangements is a treat.

This is the real stuff!!!
Authentic Stan Kenton with Vido Musso, Maynard Fergeson, Frank rosollino and the whole great sounding band that was electrifying to hear in person and just as striking on this cd. The only thing I missed was one of my personal favorites (I'm a saxophone player) Opus in Pastels. I'm still looking for an authentic recording of this one!!
Don

This is an amazing recording of remasterd greats. A real treat for any jazz lover's Ipod! If you are new to big band jazz, this is a recording that is full of big band standards. Kenton was never more alive then when he was seated at a piano directing his band. This album takes you from the begining when Kenton was playing the popular Cuban style jazz with such greats as "Aristry in Rhythm" to the very progressive sound that Kenton became known for. "Malaguena" is my personal fav! Having been able to see Kenton for myself just adds to the nostalgia of this great recording!