Customer Reviews

East Coast Blow Out

5 star:		(4)
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This is a great album. One of my all time favorite. It showcases Jim McNeely's incredibly creative writing, and John Scofield, Marc Johnson and Adam Nussbaum at their best. The WDR band also shines on this side. Every human should own this album. I highly recommend it!

East Coast Blow Out is like no other big band album I know. It contains incredibly creative, well developed, mind-blowing, far out, wild, original, intellectual, challenging, and powerful music . . . and it is enjoyable, melodic, deeply rhythmic, soulful, logical, understandable, and appealing.

There is a good balance between soloists and ensemble writing. Jim's compositions are superb, as are his piano improvisations and those of guitarist John Scofield. Each piece segues to the next, yet functions well on its own. The performance of the WDR Big Band is excellent. Dig the cool (and simple) lick that begins "Skittish," and listen as Jim, Sco, and Marc Johnson masterfully develop it throughout the composition.

If you enjoy contemporary big-band jazz, you simply MUST buy this CD. You just MUST.

Review by David R. Adler

East Coast Blow Out was recorded not on the East Coast but in Cologne, Germany, home of the marvelous WDR Big Band, one of the chief attractions of this record. Out in front of the big band is a heavy-hitting quartet comprised of pianist/composer/leader Jim McNeely, guitarist John Scofield, bassist Marc Johnson, and drummer Adam Nussbaum. McNeely's piano playing is sparingly featured ("Skittish" being a notable exception); the primary soloists are Scofield and Johnson. The album's five tracks flow together as an extended suite, full of dynamic and rhythmic variation and dramatic sweep. McNeely shows a preference for ending movements with unaccompanied statements. Thus movement one ends with solo piano, movement two with solo guitar, movement four with solo bass -- all unexpected touches that enhance thematic development. Johnson shines on the quietest movement, "More Questions," while the finale, "Finally," belongs to Nussbaum. Scofield tears it up on just about every track -- fans of the now very famous guitarist ought to seek out this obscure goodie. McNeely's composing and big band arranging continue to receive wide acclaim, and this intricate, highly advanced album is a very fine, though relatively early, example of his craft.

One of the most creative and original big band albums of all time! A "must own" CD if you're into contemporary big band.