Customer Reviews

Burning For Buddy: A Tribute To The Music Of Buddy Rich, Vol. 2

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(9)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

The band it always tight and really swings. All the charts are enjoyable to listen to except for Channel 1 Suite. If you purchase this cd, do not listen to Channel 1, EVER!! Just pretend that it is not on the cd. They took one of the greatest tunes of all time and massacred it. If you do listen to Channel 1, you will never be able to listen to the real version of it without having these stupid lyrics run through your head. However the rest of the cd is fantastic and definately worth getting.

Another shining example,as was the first volume, of a tribute by some of todays outstanding drummers to Buddy's music. Sadly marred by the contrived vocal nonsense that is overdubbed on Channel 1 Suite.(Trust the Logan family to turn art into a pantomime!) Obviously respectfully intended,it only serves to irritate and detract from what was, after all, one of the bands most popular charts. Avoid and enjoy what is otherwise an excellent album.

Seems like 10 out of the 12 reviews will tell you that the rendition of Channel One Suite on this album (with the vocalese bio about Buddy's life) is terrible and takes away from the album. Though I agree with the guy above (about hearing the lyrics in your head when you hear the original version), I don't feel like it's as bad those guys are all making it out to be. I was actually pretty astounded that they could create such a lengthy vocalese in celebration of Buddy's life. Yes, it can be seen as cheesy and overdramatic, but some of us listeners appreciated it, an for those who doubtlessly spent hours working on it, I'm sure they're disheartened to see you other reviewers hating on it. As to whether Buddy would come off his rocker if he heard it, I'm guessing he wouldn't. The song was in tribute to him, and who wouldn't feel flattered with a song written about their own lives? I know I would, pop vocals or not. :)

This album is a prtty good collection of Buddy Rich tunes performed by some of today's best drummers. The band is great and for the most part, so are all of the drummers. There are two outstanding performances. Steve Smith on "Moments Notice" is a great rendition of the Coltrane classic. Steve blends taste and supurb technique. The other great tune is "Groovin Hard" with David Garibaldi. For those who thought Garibaldi could only do well in a fusion/funk setting, think again. This tune smokes. Dave Garibaldi shows that a solid, creative drummer can play anything well. Other good tunes are "Time Check" with Dave Weckl and "Standing Up In A Hammock" with Marvin Smith. Although Marvin really shines brighter on Burnin for Buddy Volume 1 when he plays "You Gotta Try." This is a good collection for those who are familiar with Buddy's music.

There seems to be a strong consensus that listeners should skip the over-dubbed "Channel One." Ditto, but the real clinker on this otherwise excellent CD is "Goodbye Yesterday," played by Simon Phillips. This was always one of my favorite Rich charts, one of many fine efforts by Don Piestrup in his book. I was enthused to see it included in Part II, especially since I had never heard him play it live in a dozen or so concerts. But I have to say that Simon Phillips' work left me speechless. He has absolutely NO CLUE! Just listen to Buddy's work on the "Mercy, Mercy" album and then follow up with this one. Was he kidding? Why would Neal Peart include this disastrous cut? We are not talking about the impossibility of playing up with The Master, here, but just complete misinterpretation.

This album is a great teaching tool. Novice drummers will learn much by listening to the original cuts, and then the new versions. Some very lame big band drumming can be contrasted with great work by Smitty Smith, Dave Weckle, and Joe Morello. Neal Peart clearly is the best of the rockers.

Gawd, what a fantastic CD; except that butcher/hack job done to Channel One. This track almost made me vomit. One of Buddy's greatest tunes destroyed by the vocals/lyrics. Don't listen to Channel One. Other than this track, the CD is great. The band tight and right on the money.

I have both Vol. 1 & 2 and I must say they are fantastic and an excellent homage to the man, Buddy Rich. Volume 2 is a wonderful piece of work, save for track 13. I looked forward to hearing this piece remastered and polished with Buddy's original drum track and unfortunately for a tune that should have been the highlight of the volume set, it was completely butchered by ridiculous vocals. It really is that bad. There is nothing you can do but cringe as you try to enjoy this piece of work. I honestly do not know how it made it out of the studio. Someone, anyone could have saved the day and spoke against the tragedy that is track 13. You can rest assured Buddy would have gone on one of his tirades had he heard this cut of the song.

Don't let this stop you from buying the second edition to the set. If you have vol. 1, you need vol. 2. They are both excellent listens. At the end of the day I love the set. =] 4 Stars because of Track 13. Had it not been for the vocal it would have been 5 stars. Cheers!

I enjoyed this CD quite a bit. If you are looking for good old fashioned big band with the benefit of being recorded in the 21st century, this is a great album! If you can only buy one of the two volumes get vol.I. But if you want some more modern tunes or can get both, buy this one. See my review of vol. I.

If you liked Vol. I, then Vol. II is a natural choice. It is an excellent album; however, I gave it only 4 stars because it is comprised of the overflow of recording sessions that wouldn't fit onto Vol. I. Obviously, the best songs were picked for the first volume, but don't let that hinder you from buying this one as well. It is still worth the money.

As a long time jazz Trumpet player, who grew up Living in Rush's rockin and Drumming. To hear that Neil Peart can also do Jazz was pure bliss. He can hold time with the best of them. vol. 1 was very good. vol 2 is much better, both musically and song selection. On a musical note, Channel One suite's redub just has to be skipped unless you can deleate the voice tracks somehow. However, classics like In a mellow tone, The "A" train,and Willowcrest's awsome saxes and rythem. Time check's screamin' horns. An excellent by for any true jazzer. An overall Excellent album full of excitement and drive.