Bone Straight Ahead

Bill Watrous | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (August 28, 2001)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Progressive Records
• ASIN: B00005N6QD
• Also Available in: Vinyl
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #89,087 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Just Friends (Take 2)

2. Snafu (Take 2)

3. Don't Tell Me What To Do (Take 6)

4. Blue Lou (Take 2)

5. Lester Leaps In (Take 2)

6. Don't Tell Me What To Do (Take 3)

Editorial Reviews

The tone and technique of this versatile trombonist convinced Woody Herman, Maynard Ferguson, Quincy Jones and many others to hire him over the years. Danny Stiles, Al Cohn, Hank Jones, Milt Hinton and Steve Gadd (what a band!) join him on this 1972-73 recording: Just Friends; Snafu; Blue Lou; Lester Leaps In , and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Trombone and Trumpet Pyrotechnics of the Highest Order, March 2, 2002

By 

Norman Zierler (New Hartford, NY United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Bone Straight Ahead (Audio CD)

Bill Watrous has been woefully underrecorded in his brilliant career, and this reissue is like manna from heaven. He and the late great Danny Stiles on trumpet tear it up on the composition Don't Tell Me What to Do, with a killer introduction of the late Milt Hinton's walking bass followed by a brilliant opening solo by the marvelous Hank Jones on piano. Then listen to Steve Gadd's brilliant drumming on a blazing version of Lester Leaps In. Danny Stiles hits the Maynard Ferguson stratosphere with his burning runs up the scale, and then Watrous ignites it further with a breakneck solo only he could play that cleanly. I still have the LP, and I'm thrilled to have a CD that won't wear out. I defy anyone to not start finger snapping and hip shaking while listening to this CD.
If you like your brass hot and blazing, GET THIS CD!!!

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Famous Door re-issue, September 2, 2001

By 

Thomas Cox (Warrenton, MO USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Bone Straight Ahead (Audio CD)

This is a re-issue of a recording Watrous and Stiles made in late 1972 and early '73. The playing is first-rate as Harry Lim assembled an all-star group for the session including Al Cohn on tenor sax, Milt Hinton on bass, Hank Jones piano, and Steve Gadd on drums. Despite this recording being nearly 30 years old it doesn't sound dated. The ensemble is tight as can be and of course the rhythm cooks! Watrous' superb technical facility and Stiles' range are highlighted throughout. It is always interesting to hear alternate takes and this recording features 2 takes on "Don't Tell Me What To Do", a Watrous original. My only complaint is that it is only 38 minutes long, even with the addition of the second take. But I admit I never get enough of great music.

7 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars No one like him.., July 1, 2002

By 

John C. Lobert (Lisle, IL USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Bone Straight Ahead (Audio CD)

Bill Watrous is the smoothest, most talented trombone player out there today. It is such a joy to listen to his music. If you like jazz, and if you like the trombone, then buy this album -- and his others, as well.