Further Definitions [Original recording reissued, Original recording remastered]

Benny Carter | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (April 8, 1997)
• Original Release Date: 1986
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Original recording reissued, Original recording remastered
• Label: Grp Records
• ASIN: B000003NA0
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Audio Cassette  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #106,118 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #92 in Music > Blues > Regional Blues > East Coast Blues

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

26 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful reissue that demands to be played again and again., August 2, 2000

By 

bruce horner - See all my reviews

This review is from: Further Definitions (Audio CD)

This is one of those well-produced two-for-one CD's that give you a nice bang for your buck. In late 1961 noted altoist, trumpeter, arranger, and composer Benny Carter went into the studio with a group that included Coleman Hawkins, Charlie Rouse, Phil Woods, and the great Jo Jones on drums. The eight tracks they recorded were released as the epochal Further Definitions album and comprise the first eight tracks on this CD. The second eight comprise the 1966 album Additions To Further Definitions, which could be thought of as a kind of "bonus album" on the CD. The Further Definitions material is wonderful. The rich sonority of the four reeds coupled with snappy arrangements make for energetic, punchy versions of swing standards such as "Honeysuckle Rose," "Crazy Rhythm," and "Cotton Tail" and for beautiful, mesmerizing ballads. The climax is "Body and Soul" which features Carter's new arrangement of Hawkins's renowned 1939 solo; everyone shines on it, but Hawkins outdoes himself. The second album isn't as good, but it's hard to compete with a lineup like Woods/Hawkins/Rouse/Jones. It's not bad, but not a classic---nice to have as an extra though. All possible kudos to Michael Cuscuna for this excellently produced reissue, original liner notes and all. If you don't have Further Definitions on vinyl you should get this at once.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Ridiculously good., February 14, 2006

By 

Peter Hargreaves (California) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Further Definitions (Audio CD)

The album is so good, swings so hard and the arrangements are exellent. All of the players-Carter, Hawkins, Rouse, and Woods-are in top form backed by a superb rhythm section. Definitely get this if you have any interest in jazz whatsoever.

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Jazz as a Work of Art, March 4, 2002

By 

Benedict Mondello "Ben Mondello" (Levittown, NY USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Further Definitions (Audio CD)

Combine superb solos with tight ensemble playing and you get a superior performance. Add genius to the mix and you get Further Definitions. A group of jazz All-Stars gets together and you get great solos. But, these great stars (Phil Woods, Coleman Hawkins, Benny Carter, Joe Jones) give you as tight a performance as any established band. Listen, and you know these guys wanted to be in that studio together. "The Midnight Sun will Never Set" is a classic. It's a performance blessed from above.