Customer Reviews

Brass Attitude

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

With "Brass Attitude", Maynard has perfected the "little big band", his preferred format for the last several years. Exciting, richly textured arrangements performed by Ferguson's exceptionally talented young musicians make this Farguson's' best peformance since 1970's "MF Horn". Maynard makes greater use of his lyrical skills on fluegelhorn here, especially on the haunting "Caruso", and tracks include everything from a jazz waltz ("Waltz for Nicole"), to a bluesy feauture for the wonderful scat singer and baritone saxophonist Denis Diblasio ("The Lip"). For long time Maynard fans, there are plenty of high notes; for potential new fans, though, this is an album with a nice balance of swingers and slower, romantic pieces. Worth a listen, then, for anyone who's either loved MF for years, or is curious about large group jazz.

First of all, I like this CD. The music has a smooth and sophisticated feel, and the solo's are at times amazing. Maynard has always had the ability to surround himself with wonderfully talented musicians. This CD, however, is a diferent direction for Maynard. Played in a more traditional jazz style, the songs here show a side of Marnard Ferguson that you rarely get to hear.

Through most of his career, Maynard has depended a powerful brass/big band sound to drive the music. His interpretations of songs usually had a strong melodic base, and then would allow the soloists to take off based on the melody. This CD is almost the opposite. The solos's drive the music, and the result is wonderful. A mix of old and new music, the music depends less on Maynard and more on the band. My favorite pieces are "Just Friends" and "Caruso". "The Lip" is an interesting song with vocals by ex-Band member Denis Diblasio.

Again, overall I enjoyed this CD. If I would compare his most recent work I would say this is my second favorite behind "These Cats can Swing", a more traditional Maynard Ferguson CD. I would recommend this not only to any Maynard fan, but to any traditional jazz fan as well.

I have been looking for this record of Maynard for quite some time. When I found it, I could have jumped through the ceiling of the music store.
This has a lot of Maynard's old tricks. Denis sings the "The Lip", which is a clever song about MF. Knee deep in rio is very purky, and waltz for nicole is a very cool balad.
If you don't have this, and you are a die-hard MF fan, it's a MUST BUY!!!! (Denis DiBlasio scats!!!)

From track one, this CD is made to impress. Whether you are a Beginner in the world of Maynard, or a seasoned listener, this album is great. Tom Garling is marvelous. His solos in the first three tracks can be described in one word: awesome. A vocal appearance by saxaphonist Denis Deblasio on a later track(The Lip) is another highlight. I, personally, have played through many Deblasio charts, and is nice to finally hear him off of his horn. Maynard's band will blow you away.

I have seen Maynard several times in person and have some of his recordings. For fans of jazz, Maynard is a must. He may be getting old in years, but he is definitely young in his playing abilities. He has not lost his touch as other perfomers do as they age. He's like fine wine. He just gets better! Brass Attitude is one of his best, and it demonstrates that he is still having fun.

Even at age 70, Maynard Ferguson still achieves a richness of sound in the upper register that even the best trumpeters can only hope to achieve. Long known for assembling groups of extremely talented young musicians and nurturing them into his precise but fun-loving style, Maynard's latest CD is no exception. What has changed in the last several years (since joining Concord Records) is that his musical selections have become so much more - dare I say - tasteful! And it is the arrangements that truly stand out on this CD. The harmonies and wind doublings used by arrangers Tom Garling, Ron Oswanski, Steve Wiest, and Christian Jocob yield a nuanced texture that remind me of the New York big bands of Thad Jones and (more recently) Bob Mintzer. Considering that Maynard's "little big band" has fewer than half the horns of those other bands, this an outstanding accomplishment! I've collected big band albums for 25 years, and this is one of the best I've heard - by Maynard or anyone else - and I recommend it highly.

Maynard Ferguson is still great, I've seen him twice recently. I'd have to say this is a great album of his, perhaps better than his live stuff. (I know I'll be rammed for that one) I don't know this is more jazz to me than his other stuff, Just Friends is a classic tune that he nails, its great. The Lip on the other hand is a scatting tune performed by Denis Diblasio, he does a great job. Overall I'd have to say this is a very upbeat cd. This is probably my best big-band cd with good sound quality. I'd recommend it!

P.S Please Check Out My Other Reviews!

I cannot get enough of this album - it is the greatest! I went to see Maynard (w/ Big Bop Nouveau) at Ronnie Scott's, London in November of '99 and they were so good I went back for more! Sometimes when you buy an album of a band you see live it can be a disappointment - NOT THIS ONE! It's just as good, if not better. These guys are the greatest. They totally gel as a group, the rhythm section are excellent, and check out Dave Throckmorton's drumming - there's no stopping him! Brass Attitude is definitely worth the money.

We saw Maynard in the Spring of '98,at least the fifth or sixth time we've seen him. We own almost every album he has ever recorded. He may be 70, but his playing is true, vintage Ferguston. A most enjoyable album, especially after we had seen him perform many of those numbers. The album just brings back all those pleasant memories.

Reminders of prior music by this trumpet master. Many years have past since Manyard first played with Stan Kenton and performed at the Newport Jazz Festival, but the simplicity of his refrain work shows through today. This album brings back memories of the "Uncle Joe Shannon" album that accompanied the motion picture. Thank you Manyard Ferguson for producing and performing today.