Live at the Royal Festival Hall, London [LIVE]

James Moody, Dizzy Gillespie, Arturo Sandoval, Flora Purim, Mario Rivera, Paquito D'Rivera

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 23, 2001)
• Original Release Date: June 10, 1989
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Live
• Label: Red Int / Red Ink
• ASIN: B00005QKGG
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #183,570 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

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Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
The United Nations Orchestra was created by jazz legend Dizzy Gillespie to "showcase the varied influences that he considers valuable to the development of jazz." The 15-member ensemble, comprised of famous Latin and black American musicians, is a true all-star orchestra, 10 of its members being bandleaders in their own right. On this 1990 recording, the orchestra was on its last date of a European tour, and it pulls out all the stops on this fiery big-band blowout. All the soloists--saxophonists Paquito D'Rivera and James Moody, trumpeters Arturo Sandoval and Claudio Rodit, trombonists Slide Hampton and Steve Turre-- attempt to keep up with Gillespie and the turbulent percussive undercurrent. This leads to a lot of passionate soloing, along with some requisite grandstanding, but even that seems to fit into the all-star concept of the band. This is extroverted, aggressively confident big-band music meant to dazzle and delight. The driving rhythm section is given center stage on Gillespie's "Tanga," whereby a lengthy section of solos by drummer Ignacio Berroa, master percussionist Airto Moreira, and ace conga man Giovanni Hidalgo brings the house down once again. --Wally Shoup

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Gillespie, Sandoval, D'Rivera... what more could you ask?, June 14, 2002

By	"thejazzdoctor" (Boca Raton, FL United States) - See all my reviews

This CD was recorded live at the Royal Festival Hall, London, in the late 80's. It also exists, I believe, as a DVD and a VHS Video. Having seen the concert at which it was recorded, I would certainly recommend the visuals as well as the music.

The quality of the CD recording is excellent throughout, except for a couple of moments at the end of "A Night in Tunisia" where Sandoval is slightly "off mike". That said, engineering is crisp - this album has all of the benefits of a live recording, with none of the detriments. Enjoyably, the producer has chosen to keep Gillespie's bridges from song to song in place, rather than edit each track into one neatly digestible package.

Gillespie's playing on this album is typical of the maestro in his later years, and is a pleasure to listen to. However, the real star of this album is Arturo Sandoval, who was at his stratospheric best when this album was recorded. The exchanges between Gillespie and Sandoval on "And then She Stopped" are worth the price of the Album alone, as is the wonderfully arranged "Tin Tin Deo". James Moody and Paquito D'Rivera provide a wonderful reed section, and D'Rivera in particular plays with real fire.

It's hard to pick out a particular track which is best; they each have their own character. However, the rhythm section plays with extraordinary warmth and attention to detail throughout, and the real joy of the music shines throuhg. If you like later Gillespie, are a Sandoval fan, or just like great modern big band music, this album is a must.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Super Orchestra...Great Performances, July 24, 2004

By	RBSProds "rbsprods" (Deep in the heart of Texas) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)

One of my favorite CDs of all time. Dizzy with an all star orchestra in front of a very appreciative audience. How appreciative? The performance received a ten minute standing ovation at the end.

"Tin Tin Deo" brings to mind Chano Pozo with Dizzy and his orchestra in the 40's (Still available on CD). An incredible performance for arrangement, solos, and the pure fire of the orchestra. The ominious percussion intro of Manenguito, Airto, and Ignacio Berroa are particularly effective. The alto solo by Paquito D'Rivera is hair-raisingly gorgeous. Danilo Perez doesn't solo but his piano is crucial, driving the solos and the orchestra with explosive chording.

This is followed by a wonderful display of clarinet mastery by Paquito on the waltz "Seresta" and one of his best compositions: "Samba for Carmen (McRae)".

Flora Purim, one of the best jazz vocalists, is in fine form on "Tanga", as is James Moody on "Kush". He plays a particularly exciting solo here and on "Night in Tunisia". Also of note are the contributions of Slide Hamption, Steve Turre (complete with conch shells), Arturo Sandoval and Claudio Roditi. I highly recommend this CD, but I must say a few solos drift off mike but are audible. I would turn up the volume, just to get the experience. Trust me, it's worth the effort.

Also, the concert can occasionally be seen on the "BET on Jazz" cable channel on it's "Classic Concerts" program. Here, those off-miked solos are clearly audible, so it's worth a look to get the full concert experience (and, of course, to see Flora).

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the greatest jazz CDs, January 28, 2003

By	Jason Schill (Salt Lake City, UT USA) - See all my reviews

This is one of the best jazz CDs I own. It's amazing to listen to Diz play. Also, Arturo Sandoval's work on this album is amazing. He demonstrates his four octave range! Definitely worth buying.