Boss Tenors in Orbit [Original recording remastered]

Gene Ammons | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (June 4, 2002)
• Original Release Date: 1962
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Original recording remastered
• Label: Umvd Labels
• ASIN: B00006466T
• Also Available in: Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #42,474 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

STITT SONNY BOSS TENORS IN ORBIT!

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Sublimely Soulful, October 21, 2002

By 

Samuel Chell (Kenosha,, WI United States) - See all my reviews
(TOP 100 REVIEWER)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Boss Tenors in Orbit (Audio CD)

If your thing is "tough tenors" (though Sonny switches to alto on "Walkin" and "Why Was I Born?") accompanied by masterfully-played Hammond B3 (without any gratuitous bass player), this album will represent an unequaled event. It's also the best recording by 4 of the most soulful, empathetic musicians who ever played together--Jug and Sonny, organist Donald Patterson, and Sonny's favorite drummer, Billy James.

The abum has been reissued several times under different titles and formats. The original LP opened with "Bye Bye Blackbird," featuring Donald Patterson's fresh, original chord changes (outclassing players like Jack Macduff and Jimmy Smith). The playing of Sonny and Jug is as lyrical and inspired as it's earthy and funky. And it's so much more than another "cutting contest." These are two musicians for whom the whole point of human existence is playing music, all the better if you can play it together--and neither player ever sounded better.

"John Brown's Body" (a tune that's become a signature number for Monty Alexander) is literally exhumed and reanimated by Jug and Sonny. Like Horace Silver's "The Preacher" (based on "Show Me the Way to Go Home" changes) it's an infectious "public domain" tune that brings out the spirits of both saxophonists at their most communicative, from extended emotive choruses to a feisty exchange of 4's. Patterson's a delight whether or not he's soloing (and he does get some extended solo space), because of his logical bass lines, rich registrations, judicious use of the Leslies, and responsiveness to his two boss men. Billy James synchronizes the time clock of his trap cymbals to Patterson's walking left foot and gooses the principals at every opportunity.

And whether you love Gene Ammons or wonder why you should, simply listen to his building, passionate, inimitable sound on the opening track. All the man needs is a single note and he can simply knock you out--much like the sound of Judy Garland's voice.

In short, this album comes closer than any other to capturing these two tenor titans at the top of their game. It's the way I remember them from their very best nights at the long-gone Chicago southside jazz club, McKee's Show Club (at 63rd and Cottage Grove). The remastering, though state of the art, does in effect produce some "digital drying-out" of those "dirty" Hammond frequencies and overtones (if you have a good LP version, save it). All the same, I'd swap 5 Joey D's and even Jimmy's "The Sermon" for this session.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Gene & Sonny on Verve: Round 2, September 14, 2006

By 

Bomojaz (South Central PA, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Boss Tenors in Orbit (Audio CD)

This is the second of two albums Gene and Sonny made for Verve in 1961-62, and it's a beauty. One of the best tracks on the CD is LONG AGO AND FAR AWAY, a slow ballad, with wonderfully lush solos by both tenormen. Organist Don Patterson lays down a soft, deep carpet for the men to play on as well. Sonny plays alto on WHY WAS I BORN, taken medium tempo that features a long extended ending as both men seem determined to have the last word. BYE BYE BLACKBIRD has excellent exchanges between Gene and Sonny near the end. Guitarist Paul Weeden has a decent enough solo on WALKIN', but sounds a bit clunky and obtrusive on JOHN BROWN'S BODY. This CD is not quite on the same extraordinary level as the earlier Verve BOSS TENORS, but anything with Gene and Sonny playing together on it will never disappoint.

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars An album of its time, October 23, 2002

By 

Dr.D.Treharne (Exeter, Devon, United Kingdom) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Boss Tenors in Orbit (Audio CD)

An album where Sonny Stitt comes at you from the left channel and Gene Ammons from the right.Confusingly on "Walkin'" Stitt also plays alto as well, and on "Why was I born" he plays only Alto.So not completely Boss Tenors throughout!. However the blowing is joyous across nearly the whole album, and the pair were clearly at the height of their powers. The reason for only four stars really has to do with the material, which seems very much of its time.Recorded during the Civil war centennial "John Brown's body" is the nadir,with both players attempting to move away from the 'hard to improvise on' theme by throwing reducing clusters of notes at each other. This is really a shame, but at 7.22 it takes up a substantial part of the playing time on the CD.The other four tracks are really good, however.Favourites are the version of Jimmy Mundy's "Walkin'" and an excellent take of Kern& Hammersteins "Why was I born". The rhythm section is excellent throughout, though Don Patterson is rather more restrained than I would have liked (perhaps in defference to the hard blowing that's going on in front of him)and Paul Weeden on guitar and Billy James on drums propelling the whole session along really well. The remastering is excellent, and it would have been a five star review if it weren't for THAT version of John Brown's body!