Customer Reviews

The Essence Of Maynard Ferguson

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Being a BIG Maynard Ferguson fan, from the old days of the MF Horns albums, I have to question why they chose these songs for a "Greatest Hits" collection. No matter what the previous reviewer stated, Rocky and Gospel John are not included here. If they were then this might collectable. With the exceptions of Birdland and maybe MacArthur's Park most of these selections would not be considered his most popular. It would be understandable if this had been released in the mid 1970's but it came out in 1993. Believe me, Maynard has much better music than this. If you're looking for the "Classic" Maynard sound, try Chameleon. If you're looking for a great Jazz/Swing set, try These Cats can Swing. This should only be considered if you're looking for some of his lesser known works.

How do you take a 50-year music career and condense it into one album, called "The Essence Of.." ?? (Answer: you CAN'T!) There are many notable omissions here..this should be "The Essence Of Maynard Ferguson, After Watering Down At the Record Company." There is nothing of the "Birdland Dream Band" of the late 50's & early 60's (I would have liked them to include "Danny Boy," "Maria," Don Sebesky's unplayable romp on "A Train," and Slide Hampton's great chart on "Stella By Starlight, but alas, there's none of those here....

There IS at least one tune from the "M.F. Horn" group Maynard assembled in Europe (the BIGGEST band he ever fronted), "MacArthur Park," as well as a couple of re-recorded renditions of early things: "Round Midnight" and Mike Abene's be-bop rip-snorter, "The Fox Hunt." Also happily included are "I Can't Get Started" (Maynard SINGS!!), without which no one should even CONSIDER a trumpet-player anthology, and "Birdland," which the band plays the daylights out of. "Conquistador," I suspect, was thrown in because this came from Columbia's archives and the producer didn't know what to include. There is some variation of styles and different "bags" Maynard has explored, and all things considered, I LIKE this album!! If you enjoy Maynard Ferguson as I do (I still have my FIRST Maynard album, "Maynard Ferguson Plays Jazz For Dancing," from 1958), you should own this....IT'S LOTS OF FUN!!!

Coming up with a rating for this album was very difficult, as the music itself is wonderful - Ferguson is an accomplished trumper player, and a joy to listen to. However, the selection of tunes is somewhat narrow, presenting the listener with only one facet of the music. All the tunes are gathered from within a particular time in Ferguson's career. Earlier work (from the MF Horn LPs, or the Birdland Dream Band) is missing, and later work (with the Big Bop Nouveau) isn't covered. Instead, we see a rather one dimensional picture, which doesn't do the artist justice.

That criticism aside, the music on the album is excellent. Ferguson's rendition of Birdland is, to my mind, *the* recording of this great tune, and MacArthur Park has everlasting appeal. The other tunes on the album are equally strong, and represent a solid snapshot of the Ferguson sound during one particular period.

My confusion lies in the market. If you are new to Ferguson, this album only presents one aspect of his style. If you are an afficianado, you probably have most, if not all, of these tracks already.

This is absolutely superb playing, both by Maynard and the band backing him up. Round Midnight and The Fox Hunt are both some of the best cuts I've ever heard. A strong addition to any collection!

What an amazing CD! Pack with all the high flying power unique to Maynard. Very good album!

It's Maynard, and he was always great, and I love the high notes, and the phrasing, and the whole album. I think anyone can be inspired by any of his albums.

Excellent album... Maynard, you I worship. Not only does he have a range most trumpet players only dream about, he has talent to back it up... his music is alive with more than just his "squealing." Macarthur Park is an excellent example of Maynard at his best, but don't leave out things such as Conquistador and the old traditional song Birdland.

i really enjoy Maynard Fergusons tone on this set.his band is crisp&fresh as well.i got this disc a few years back and from time to time i listen to it.it still sounds great.

I just reviewed Maynard's Conquistador album. I had that album for a while, but never really played it. I also bought this album on cassette tape when I was about 8 years old. (16 now)

I was heavily into Chuck Mangione and looking for some Mangione albums in a record store with my mother when I was about 8, the clerk showed this to me. Haven't played it since.

Yesterday, I threw it in, and loved it. I decided to play my Conquistador album, which I also loved. I guess this isn't the only cd to get for Maynard Ferguson. But it's a good start. You get some of his fusion stuff, as well as some straight ahead recordings. This album is an awesome introduction to the extraudinary trumpet playing of Maynard Ferguson.

I've had this one for a while. The band and Maynard sound great! Theme from "Rocky" and Birdland are the two best songs on it in my opionion. Gospel John has a killer trumpet solo at the beginning. If you like Maynard, jazz, trumpet, or trumpet playing the will make the dogs run in circles pick up this CD.