Big Band

Joe Henderson | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 22, 1996)
• Original Release Date: October 22, 1996
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Polygram Records
• ASIN: B000004761
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #132,792 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great writing, screamin' band. (a former band member), April 10, 2002

By 

Zafro (Gilbert, AZ United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Big Band (Audio CD)

For those familiar with Joe's music in small group settings only, this recording reveals another brilliant aspect of his artistic vision. I had the pleasure of playing trumpet in Joe's band the year after this disc was released (those interested can view gig photos at jameskass.com), and know that this was the fulfillment of a project he had started some 25-30 years earlier in New York as a weekly rehearsal band, his original motivation for penning a lot of these arrangements. Regrettably, this would be the last project wherein Joe was allowed to record his own compositions, and while he enjoyed the success and Grammys of his other "theme" albums produced by Verve late in his life, he expressed to me that he resented being dictated to by the record execs and not being given more opportunities like this, wherein his compositions were the focal point.

Like his playing and compositions, Joe had a unique arranging style, and I can recall sweating over some of the insane lines he wrote for us brass players as if he were writing for saxophones! ;) It's too bad that they didn't make this a double CD, as he had many more great charts that we would perform live that were never recorded/released. This album includes several hip arrangements from other talented writers (e.g. Slide Hampton), as well.

There are many outstanding solos from sidemen here: in particular, check out Chick's solo on Isotope and Nicholas Payton's on Step Lightly (perfectly constructed, for those students of jazz out there). Joe plays beautifully and consistently, as usual, and I would assert that this is a *must have* for lovers of Joe Hen's music or contemporary big bands.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Big Fun!, July 6, 2000

By 

M. Allen Greenbaum (California) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Big Band (Audio CD)

I wasn't a fan of big band music (except for Basie and Ellington, who somehow didn't fit my definition of big band) until my friend Brian pointed out I was wrong thinking that the format precluded most solos of note. This album showcases both the solo work of Henderson and other luminaries, while still playing tight, sympathetic ensemble work. The CD is effective on both levels. The music can be intimate (Isotope, a beautifully realized tribute to Monk featuring Henderson and Corea) or big and brash ("Inner Urge") or, as in the majority of pieces here, both.

"A Shade of Jade" features Henderson and Hubbard with some good punch, ultimately, though, I found it a little too long (8.22). Things are more in focus on "Step Lightly," a mellow blues by Henderson with interesting solos by Henderson, Corea, and Nicholas Payton on trumpet. First recorded in 1963, it has a great straight-ahead sound that is slightly reminiscent of some of Miles' early work, and with the relaxed spacing of a Basie arrangement. "Serenity" features, once again, outstanding work by Henderson and Corea, and a satisfying arrangement that must be a powerhouse live.

I've always loved Billy Strayhorn's "Chelsea Bridge," and Henderson gives it the appropriate film noir treatment. The orchestra mostly lays out at first, but then opens up as Henderson swings it in new directions with a brief return to the main theme. "Recordame" has a nice Brazilian beat, and Henderson's pure clear sound layers over the percussion, but, once again, I find the excursion just a bit repetitive. Overall, though, this is a very satisfying CD, and it wears well after several years. Worth a listen, you'll enjoy it.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars EXCITING, TIGHT, UPBEAT MASTERS, August 8, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Big Band (Audio CD)

I bought this album a month ago and it hasn't come out of my mustang since! These guys are masters of their instruments, so the playing is thrilling and subdued all at once. Joe H. never loses the soft, ice-cream sweet tone of his wind even as he wraps scales at a hundred miles an hour around the tight, together big band. And Joe H. is competent enough to share the limelight...expert bass, drums, and piano weave excellent improvisations to evcite the analytical side of the brain while lifting the spirits. Play this three times and find yourself singing along to the very melodic improvs. The excellent production, the chrystal clear cymbals, makes this one to play at full volume. This is happy music that bears repeated listenings.