Customer Reviews

M.F. Horn 2

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Hooray for Wounded Bird Records; they have seen fit to release another batch of albums from Maynard Ferguson's CBS years, including the dazzling "MF Horn 2". This has always been one of my very favorite MF albums; with the exception of "Free Wheeler", there's just not a weak track in the bunch. Not only are the arrangements of the pop/rock tunes top-notch - "Country Road" is worth the cost of the disc all by itself - the lead track, "GIve It One", is a Downey/Ferguson collaboration that is, to me, a snapshot of everything that made the MF albums from the early Seventies so exciting. It cooks, it's got plenty of screaming trumpet and brisk ensemble playing, and it has that blend of jazz and rock feels that was the basis of most of Maynard's output from that decade. The closer, "Hey Jude", turns the Beatles classic into a manic, wild big band extravaganza; MF closed many a show with this one, his band scattered amongst the audience, everything right on the brink of chaos. The recorded version is pretty darn close to sounding just that frantic, and it's brilliant. In any case, this LP is essential to any Maynard fan, and we finally have it on CD - I'm very happy.

I had a vinyl copy of this during my high school days. I got to see him live in college and he rocked the place. This album is why is he called "The Lip". It is a solid album and in my opinion his best. The high loud and brassy trumpets will give you chills. I have just about every album Maynard has ever done. The "Hey Jude" cut is a classic. When he did it live with his whole trumpet section around him the place went wild. Growing up we always wanted to be able to play like him. I was in jazz band my 4 years in college and he was the standard to which we aspired. We used this album to psych ourselves up for football games. If all of my albums had to be taken from me except one this would be the one I would keep. It is a must have for jazz lovers.

I was reminded of the power of this album recently when Christina Aquilera came out with her well received version of "Mother." Maynard's scorching rendition of this tune bowls me over every time I hear it. Stan Robinson's tenor sax solo kills me. I've never heard a saxophonist blow so many notes...I know that's not the be all and end all, but the intensity never stops. Mighty stuff.

The concept of Maynard Ferguson transcends the reality of Maynard Ferguson. Most think of him as "that guy that plays a really high shrill trumptet." But I think of him as much more. I think of him as the ultimate Trumpet God. To play trumpet notes that only dogs can hear is the legend of Maynard that I grew up with as an aspiring trumpet player. I felt the same way when seeing him perform at the advanced age of 78 and still hitting the high notes at live concert a couple years ago just prior to his passing. When I thought of how I wanted to play the trumpet the concept of Maynard Ferguson was the goal. To play double high Cs and be a strong lead trumpet player in jazz groups was my dream. I did eventually hit a double high C in an actual live performance, so the dream was realized. But back to this album, M.F. Horn 2. This one album was the core of my listening as a teenager and became my favorite practice album in training my lip. Buy it! You'll love all the interesting arrangements of the multiple covers. Maynard Lives!!!!

"Give It One" and "Mother" are the monster hits of this album. The fantastic, driving tenor solo from Stan Robinson on "Mother" will remind you of Don Menza's great scale-rolling improvisations and also the latter Michael Brecker stuff (DVD - with the Louie Bellson Orchestra). "Give It One" was a featured chart by Maynard, with Mike Migliore (later bands) playing the sax solo on soprano; played here by Pete King's clear-cutting alto.

Free Wheeler, Country Road and Summer of '42 are very nicely done. I wasn't into the renditons of "Hey Jude" and "Spinning Wheel," but anything with Maynard's screeching trumpet, worked for me.

MF Horn 2 is one of Maynard Ferguson's best efforts. A crisp and exciting performance covering popular tunes that allowed him to showcase his unbelievable upper range talents. You will not regret purchasing this. The only track that isn't outstanding is "Free Wheeler". It seems out of place on this otherwise rock solid effort. Maynard's version of James Taylor's "Country Road" alone is worth the price. "Hey Jude" closes the album in style!

Who says there's no such thing as a perpetual motion machine? This is absolutely Ferguson's most sizzling album and once you get to the last track, you play it again, and then again. I wore out my LP version of it years ago, and have been longing to find it on CD. The wait is over! Kill the lights, cue the drummer, and let the brass assault begin! Thanks for the memories, Maynard.

Had this on LP years ago, when I was just out of high school. So nice to hear it coming out of my speakers now, instead of just buzzing around my head. Some reviewers faulted the Country Road piano work, but I don't remember it any different. A great timeless cd and I am glad to have finally bought it. Worth the money! Good quality too.

The album was given to me by cousin back when I was a teenager and has always been my favorite production that The Boss ever released. Many years went by and many attempts to find on CD went unsatisfied. I finally found it here in Amazon and ordered it. Now I love it even more (especially without the hisses and pops that my vinyl copy became plagued with due to over playing it). Though it has been 35 years since it was released - it still blows me away like the first time I heard it. Top tracks? Give It One, Spinning Wheel and Hey Jude.

I wore out two cassette copies of MF Horn 1&2 during the mid 80's in my marching band days at Wichita State.

Finally these great charts come to CD.

Hey Jude is a trumpet classic and worth the cost by itself.

RIP Maynard.