Boy With Lots of Brass

Maynard Ferguson | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (September 25, 2007)
• Original Release Date: 2007
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Fresh Sounds Spain
• ASIN: B000V7UNAY
• Also Available in: Vinyl
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #107,891 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Give Me the Simple Life

2. My Funny Valentine

3. The Lamp Is Low

4. Imagination

5. The Song Is You

6. Jeepers Creepers

7. Love Me or Leave Me

8. A Foggy Day

9. Easy to Love

10. Moonlight in Vermont

11. I Hadn't Anyone Till You

12. I Never Knew

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Maynard WITH a band , not Maynard AND a band, November 14, 2007

By 

Jim Z "music aficionado" - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

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This review is from: Boy With Lots of Brass (Audio CD)

If you're looking for thousands of high notes...this is not the place.Although there are MANY exceptional passages from the master of the stratosphere , this is Maynard playing WITH a band , not a band backing Maynard. Most of the musicians get a chance to shine on these fine arrangements , and the results are very rewarding in terms of listening gratification. That was one of Maynard's finer points as a leader. He always knew his fan base wanted to hear him scream , but he balanced his playing with that of the members of his band. Probably why he garnishes the respect from everyone ever associated with him. If you're a Maynard fan , add this to your collection. Put it on when you want just a tasteful sprinkle of Maynard.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Popular tunes that don't sacrifice the jazz, November 10, 2007

By 

James A. Vedda (Alexandria, VA USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Boy With Lots of Brass (Audio CD)

Another vintage album from Maynard's finest era has made it to CD. In addition to Maynard's brilliant playing on trumpet and valve trombone, this 1957 session features brilliant arrangements by Willie Maiden, Al Cohn, Bill Holman, and Ernie Wilkins. The 12 tracks (including four that feature vocalist Irene Kral) come from the songbooks of popular composers such as the Gershwin brothers, Rogers & Hart, Jerome Kern, Oscar Hammerstein, Johnny Mercer, and others. The selections have plenty to offer for both jazz listeners and lovers of danceable big band music.
Four tracks on this CD also appeared on the 1996 Verve CD release "Jazz Masters 52 - Maynard Ferguson": "The Lamp Is Low," "Love Me or Leave Me," "Moonlight in Vermont," and "Easy to Love." Also, the same arrangement of "My Funny Valentine" is on the "Live at Peacock Lane Hollywood" CD, although that's a different recording from a live performance.
The sound is clear but the tracks are mono. This may not seem unusual for mid-1950s recordings, but the four duplicate tracks on the Verve CD have very distinct stereo separation, which would seem to indicate that the original session was done in stereo.
As of this writing, Amazon apparently has stopped carrying this CD in its own inventory, instead referring buyers to alternate vendors. I ordered it from Titan Music for a decent price and received it in a week.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars First Album By Group That Was To Become The Touring Birdland Dream Band, November 9, 2008

By 

Michael L. Slavin "HardBopper" (New Jersey) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Boy With Lots of Brass (Audio CD)

Though several albums were previously recorded by big bands led by Maynard. Mostly, they were groups assembled for particular club or recording dates. This, band, however, was the nucleus of the famous 1957-60 touring edition. Album was recorded in July 1957. Birdlike altoist Jimmy Ford is well featured I particlarly liked his solos on The Lamp Is Low, Jeepers Creepers, Easy To Love and I Never Knew. Saxman Anthony Ortega also gets good solo space. Some other group members worth noting are trombonists Bob Burgess and Jimmy Cleveland as well as imagine it--Bobby Timmons on piano,Richard Evans on bass and Larry Bunker on drums. Singing four tunes is vocalist Irene Kral (sister of Roy Kral of Jackie & Roy fame). Evidence of the excitement that was to to come is definitely here.