Customer Reviews

Blow Your Own Horn

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

 

 

Herb Alpert was on quite a roll, artistically at least, in the early '80s, a roll that continued with this 1983 album "Blow Your Own Horn". Looking at the album's credits give the impression that this is very much an 'odds & ends' collection of tracks left over from previous projects. Three tracks were produced by Herb Alpert and Jose Quintana--the same production team of Herb's previous album, 1982's "Fandango". Randy Badazz & Andy Armer, the composers of Herb's classic #1 hit "Rise, lend their production & arranging work to a couple tracks, & two tracks are actually produced by Herb Alpert and Holland-Dozier-Holland (of Motown fame). Also, apart from two tracks written by Juan Carlos Calderon, each track features a different songwriting battery. Don't be fooled though into thinking this an album loaded with second-rate material. The album opens with a remixed version of "Red Hot" which originally appeared on Herb's 1980 album "Beyond"--it's not DRASTICALLY different, making it rather redundant, but it's still a great groove tune. John Barnes, who contributed heavily to Herb's following two albums, arranged "True Confessions"--it has a rather boring, repetitive synth riff, but apart from that it's an engagingly tuneful minor-keyed track. In typical fashion, Herb delivers a pile of terrific groove tunes on here--the title track has an irresistible 'late night' vibe as well as some hilariously corny vocal asides; Armer & Badazz's "The Midnight Tango" is very similar in feel to the title track, & it's incredibly catchy in its own right, as are both the more uptempo Calderon-penned "Latin Lady", & the feel-good "Garden Party". There are a couple of somewhat dull but still nice ballads with "Gently (Suavemente)" and the Lee Ritenour-penned "Paradise Cove" (Rit plays on the track as well); and the splendidly melodic, contemplative, aptly-titled "Oriental Eyes" is simply irresistible. The album closer "Sundown" is a great, soothing ballad with a couple of frantic Latin-flavored breaks joltingly thrown in. Though there are some vocal asides & 'party vocals', there are no flat-out vocal songs here, but hey, instrumental music was Herb's specialty, and there's some brilliant stuff here showing Herb's awesomely tuneful trumpet playing, and none of the tracks are bad. Don't expect to find this cheaply on CD, but you can probably get it cheap on vinyl, & it'd really be worth it to do so, because this is a darn good album.

Of all Herb Alperts work, this is my favorite. I realize the TJB music is what was, and remains, most popular, but I enjoy his later work the most. I bought the LP when I was stationed in Okinawa, Japan, with the U.S.Air Force. It's unforgettable stuff. Herb dedicated the album to his late friend, Karen Carpenter. She had a beautiful voice. Herb knew talent, because he's got plenty of his own; Blow Your Own Horn is proof of that. I only hope Herb thinks it worth re-issuing on CD - I do!

A naked old man with his horn hanging out? More like a seasoned veteran comfortable with himself and his legacy. Late 40's is NOT old; it's a transition. Contrary to what the previous reviewer stated, this album IS a sign of the times and a sign that Herb was 'with it'. Granted, the glory days of the TJB were in the past, but Herb just kept on trackin'. Jazz, in all it's many forms, was boldly taking a foothold in mainstream awareness and Herb Alpert was leading the vanguard. The tracks on this album? I'll mention only two; I would critique the other tracks, but I'm afraid the only beer I use is in a glass, and my grass is in the yard where it belongs. I don't need to be stoned to get off on this album.

Red Hot IS hot, in the fusion of Jazz and the soon to be dead disco. It fit in for the 80's, it moved and it grooved. I could have done without some of the 'falso basso' voices in the mix, though. And what the previous reviewer stated with the title of Oriental Lady, come on! Yeah, not PC for 2006, but we're talkin' the '80's here. Would you have the title changed? The song's a tribute, not a put down. You need to enter rehab, pal.

If you're a fan, you WILL enjoy the album. It's Herb where 20+ years of talent, taste and experience meant him to be. Listen fried or listen clear. Either way, Herb's blowing his own horn for you. I'm giving it 4 stars because the mix could have been clearer. But that can be fixed.

1. Red Hot
2. True Confessions
3. Blow Your Own Horn
4. Gently (Suavemente)
5. Midnight Tango
6. Garden Party
7. Paradise Cove
8. Latin Lady
9. Oriental Eyes
10. Sundown

One of my favorite of Herb Alpert's - and it's hard to pick a favorite because he has many great ones. You could say this is Herb's romantic period, but I think his whole career is his romantic period. True Confessions takes you away with the rythm, Red Hot just kicks, Garden Party is a fun listen as is Midnight Tango. There isn't a filler chart on this album. They're all totally enjoyable and totally Herb. Really worth the time.

Kevin Brett
CEO, Kevin Brett Studios, Inc.
Author: "The Way of the Martial Artist: Achieving Success in Martial Arts and in Life"
The Way of the Martial Artist: Achieving Success in Martial Arts and in Life!

Producer: The Art of Intelligent Driving (DVD)
The Art of Intelligent Driving