Customer Reviews

High Altitude Swing

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

There is no question that High Altitude Swing is the best of the neo-swing CD's. As a swing dance instructor who has demonstrated lindy hop all over the world, I rely on BTO's smooth style and super-great sound. Any fan of 40's era big band music will undoubtedly love this CD. The brass section is incredible, the percussion establishes very danceable rhythyms, and best of all is Warren's velvet voice... Enjoy!

As a DJ with extensive knowledge of the modern neo-swing bands and the classic bands of the 30s and 40s, I feel confident when I say that BTO is clearly the best of the neo-bands. They have a better sense of what made swing great in the first place and they convey that to you with unity, energy, and a true love and respect for the pioneers. The album pales somewhat compared to their live performances, and they've only gotten better since its release, but "High Altitude Swing" is still a must have and far superior to many better selling "fake swing" CDs. And if BTO inspires some kids to leave their Cherry Poppin' Daddies CDs behind and go looking for some Benny Goodman and Cab Calloway, then they've done their job. Keep up the great work, fellas, and I can't wait for the new CD in summer!

"High Altitude Swing" has some good spots, just not enough of them. If you just have to have every swing cd out there go ahead......otherwise let this one pass by. The soloists aren't anything special and the arrangements bring nothing new to the old standards. You're better off with Bill Elliott if you like originals or Ray Gelato if you like standards.

This group from San Diego was unknown to me when I first heard them live in Phoenix, AZ over a year ago. They have a very tight sound and are very well rounded in their music - unlike many swing/retro groups around whose music all sounds the same. Their brass section is hot! I was very pleased to see that their CD captured at least some of the dynamics of this group. This is own of my favorite swing CD's and a "must have" in any swing/retro collection.

Big Time Operator rehashes the same standards with a lack of pizzaz or energy. They fail to come up to par with even the creativity of most run of the mill big bands. Save your money, and buy the Bob Bregman Big Band's "SWING" album for an awesome reinvention of all of the great standards. High Altitude Swing should be renamed as a Low Flying Flop. It just sucks.

Big Time Operator, a very popular San Diego swing band of the late 90s, was among the best of the best. Those of us who had the pleasure of hearing them in person found their big band jazz to be very exciting, nostalgic and even inspiring. Big Time Operator was honored to have been chosen by Frank Sinatra's wife to be the featured band at the Las Vegas tribute held shortly after Frank's death. At their peak popularity, their venues were from coast to coast, from Disney World to Disneyland. On the "High Altitude Swing" album, songs like Lunsford Special are resurrected from relative obscurity, and brought back to life so well that it makes you want to immediately get up and dance. Big Time Operator recorded a second and even better album entitled "The Game." It did not receive nationwide distribution as "High Altitude Swing" did. If you can find either album, buy it. Regrettably, the band's star began to fade in about 2001, along with the "swing revival." This band is sorely missed by many jazz fans across the U.S. today. We will wait with anticipation for the day they cut a "reunion" album. Bring it on!

Upbeat, joyous arrangements of swing music - fabulous. Makes anyone very happy. Your feet automatically move to this CD. Big Band sound with contemporary jazz influence.

Big Time Operator is a "mid-sized" band: 3 saxes, 2 trumpets, trombone, guitar, bass & drums. But it sounds like a full sized big band. Add a talented singer in Warren Lovell, and you have one fine band. Only one original tune, the rest being standards from the big band era. Outstanding is "Fly Me to the Moon", which so often seems to be thrown onto an album as filler; this one really shines. The band does sound a little thin on "Lunceford Special", and maybe it loses a few points as most of the arrangements are derivative (OK, copied) rather than innovative. But anyone who likes both 40's big band and neo-swing will wear this one out. I do miss a piano, though.

I think that this is one of the best swing Cd's and i like the version of "it don't mean a thing".

BTO brings you swing at its best. Any fan of the neo-swing movement must include this album in their collection. This CD features well skilled musicians playing from their heart and delivering incredible music. Buy it now and it will never leave your CD changer.