Customer Reviews

Explosion

5 star:		(5)
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2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

How can Bellson go wrong with soloists like Don Menza & Pete Christlieb on tenor, Dick Spencer on alto and Cat Anderson on trumpet?

Once again, Don Menza writes a real "groover" in "Groove Blues". The saxi soli (prior to the solo passages) is again written in the classic Menza style.

"La Banda Grande" is a real mover for both Christlieb and Menza. And Menza closes it out with another one of his fiery solos.

Strayhorn's "Intimacy of the Blues" shuffles off with Cat Anderson's screeching trumpet. More great solo work by Menza.

"Beyond Category" is a showpiece for Bellson, who has always been able to put togther top talent in the soloist chairs of his bands. One of Bellson's best bands.

I bought this CD becuase we were trying to play Groove Blues in my jazz band. Although we never really mastered playing the song, I was very satisfied with my purchase.

This CD has a wide variety of music ranging from funk to classic big band. On average, this CD is exellent. Worth buying for someone to get them turned on to big band jazz.

This band is tight, Louis's playing is great and there is lots of energy. Being a trumpet player myself, I am particularly impressed with the lead trumpet playing of Cat Anderson. This is one of the best Big Band albums out there and the best of Louis Bellson that I am aware of.

This was the first Bellson album I bought in the 70's and boy what a treat to hear Don Menza again. After leaving Buddy Rich and doing a few combo albums with Frank Strazzeri, it was good to hear Don again in a big band setting. Plus, playing alongside tenor section-mate Pete Christlieb made the sax section complete.

Menza and Christlieb do some great solo work on "La Banda Grande," a medium tempo latin-tinged chart. Christlieb takes the more lyrical approach, whereas Menza finishes off the tune in his patented "scale rolling" solo. Blue Mitchell also injects some tasty trumpet in between. (Check out their sax exchanges on the super up-tempo "Time Check" from the Bellson album "150 MPH")

On "Intimacy Of The Blues" and opening alto solo by Larry Covelli leads into another great Menza solo with Cat Anderson blowing up into the stratosphere to take the band out.

"Beyond Category" is a vehicle for Louie and he puts his double-bass drums to work. Classic Bellson drumming. But Louie Bellson always seems to showcase his sidemen more than himself. Very unselfish attitude.
I saw his band twice; here in the San Francisco Bay Area in the late 70's; with his Big Band "live" at The Concord Jazz Festival - "Dynamite." And a combo night club setting, featuring Blue Mitchell, Grant Geissman and Gordon Goodwin. (got some fantastic slides of these shows). Seeing Louie work in person is awe-inspiring. I don't think he ever broke out in a sweat. His drumming is so effortless.

Menza's "Groove Blues" once again showcases a sax very cool soli that seems to be a Menza trademark with most of his compositions. Cat Anderson, once again lends his screeching talents at the end with the ensemble blowing right behind him. If you're a sax player (like me) and love Menza's sax soli's, you know that most of his arrangements are available. I bought most of them in the late 70's when they were only $25. They're quite expensive now, but worth it.

"Movin On" and "Quiet Riots" showcases the old "Tonight Show's" Pete Christlieb, with able assitance from Blue Mitchell.

What a great introduction to Louie Bellson this was for me. I'm glad I finally bought the CD; because my vinyl LP was worn and my cassette copes were wearing thin.

This recording is a steal at this price. This is the Bellson band in the mid 70s, with incredible musicians. The great Cat Anderson screeches an unbelievable trumpet solo on Duke Ellington's (Tommy Newsome arrangement) "Intimacy of the Blues" and on saxophonist Don Menza's "Groove Blues". The late Blue Mitchell plays beautifully on "Quiet Riots" and "La Banda Grande". Other players include Bobby Shew, Pete Christlieb, Don Menza, Dick Spencer, and more. This is a must for those who love big band jazz, especially LA big band jazz (ala Tonight Show Band with Doc Severinsen).

I'm looking for more Louie Bellson after discovering a swinging track by him called "Blue Invasion". This is a bit more "big band" than I prefer.

You can hear the full version of "Blue Invasion" on YouTube. And if you want to buy it - search "Bellson Jam" here to find the cd or mp3s (and samples). I have to warn you though - I bought the cd, but "Blue Invasion" is the only track I would buy it for. But I'm not disappointed because I value the higher audio quality of the cd for this outstanding track.