Customer Reviews

Birthday In Britain

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

 

 

This was a band that I had the pleasure of hearing shortly before the Britain tour that year (1973). This is the Kenton band at one of its finest moments. Though all the tracks are really good, the "Street of Dreams" track, featuring John Park on alto is worth the price of the whole CD.

John Park's solo on "Street of Dreams" is an absolute classic! I've had the pleasure of hearing him with the band on a couple of performances and he is one the the best that no one knows about. If you enjoy listening to the saxophone, this solo will make you grin ear to ear! The rest of the CD is'nt too bad either!

Well, I dunno. This CD is generally not so highly rated--two and a half stars on a well-known music review site, but I have four other Kenton CDs that are probably the highest rated of all his recordings, and I like this one as much or more than any.

The Happy Birthday was recorded on Feb 19th 1973 as a surprise for Kenton on his 61st birthday, and the remaining tracks recorded at Fairfield Hall, Croydon four days later--and very well recorded too. The sleeve notes contain some technical data about the tape recorder and the microphone placings.

This 18-piece band plays beautifully producing a relaxed, yet powerful sound. Street of Dreams, as other reviewers have said, is particularly enjoyable, and No Harmful Slide Effects is lovely, but the whole thing is excellent and really makes you feel that you were there in person over 30 years ago. Well, I wish I had been. I recommend this album very highly.

Outstanding performances and sound recording. Other reviewers are correct is saying "Street of Dreams" is worth the price of the disc, but all the other compositions and arrangements and performances are uniformly excellent. Certainly the very best late period Kenton recording. Beyond 5 stars in my opinion. The beauty and impact of the "wall of sound" is especially evident on "Street of Dreams." Highly recommended!