Customer Reviews

The Lionel Hampton Quintet

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This is such a blast - the lead track, "flyin' home" is a ferociously swinging workout with some really empathetic jamming.
There's plenty of "pretty" vibes work here, but no mush. A very musical, very entertaining, very hip 50s jazz recording.

The first number on the CD, by itself, is worth the price. You have five all-time great jazz artists improvising for over 17 minutes on "Flying Home", a Lionel Hampton and Benny Goodman composition -- I dare you to try not to smile.

This is an all star session, and a very succesful one. What we hear is highly inspired, swinging, timeless jazz. Vibes and clarinet together sound unconventional, elegant and really entertaining. I highly recommend this CD.

This session is the definition of swing, particularly exemplified on the first track. The quintet swings long, and they swing hard, with a good song selection and all star personnel. For jazz listeners from beginners to advanced, this record is a must-have in the jazz collection. 5 stars.

I saw Mr. Hampton back in 1975.And remember how impressed was with his performance. Years later i heard his take on Sunnyside Of The Street, and was blown away. Little did i know that the rest of his album, was just as beautiful. Start to finish.

Hampton with Oscar Peterson, Ray Brown, Buddy Rich, Buddy DeFranco. 1954 recording - yet crisp, clear, vibrant. Swings, yet mellow and smooth. Even includes liner notes (remember those?)

This is the pinnacle of what smart, arty hipsters in the fifties called hip. From the first sounds on the first track--those brushes on the snare drum--this album really defines the jazz of its era. It's Hepcat 101; an indispensable part of any jazz record collection.

This is a great CD, which was originally two LP's. The running time is 71:47 and the recordings date from 1954.

When you've got Lionel Hampton, who isn't noted for restraint, Oscar Peterson, who can play more Piano than anyone except Tatum, and Buddy Rich who is the showman Drummer supreme you know you're not in for a ballad selection...

The whole thing is summarized by the opening track. A 17 minute version of Flying Home (Lionel Hamptons signature tune). This is driven along with tremendous swing, and the solos literally fly. The remaining musicians are equally eminent, the relentless Ray Brown on bass, and Buddy DeFranco on Clarinet.

I'm saving for the boxed set anyway!

It is hard to believe this line-up of brilliant musicians doesn't really swing very hard on this CD but, contrary to other reviewers, I feel it to be the sad truth...

Oscar Peterson is usually capable to ignite even the best swingers to swing harder, Hampton and De Franco have proved their versality by playing with musicians of different generations, the rhythm section is as strong as can be and still it just doesn't really swing. Starting from "Flying home", the songs just go on and on...