Customer Reviews

M.F. Horn 3

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

 

 

As a jazz drummer playing in the 70's and 80's, I always admired Maynard Ferguson's big bands for their power and showmanship. But with the exception of MF2, I was generally disappointed with his albums of that era. Too many campy pop tunes, and generally lousy sound engineering (La Fiesta is almost unlistenable due to the stupid L/R channel bouncing of the keyboard solo).

Then there's this album: Not only is every track a gem, the sound is incredible. The whole band is perfectly mic'd, and you will be awed by the overall level of musicianship these guys had. And there's something really special about this session. It's hard to describe, but this album really takes you to another place. Between the incredible depth and detail of the recording and the flawless performance, this will totally transport you to a funky, rock-jazz realm that is beyond the sum of the parts. As others have commented, the ballads are beautiful, and show surprising maturity and restraint from the master of power-jazz. But it's the funky rock-based tunes that are the heart of this album. I love the spaced out effects which (for once) actually enhance the compositions. Pochohantas is my favorite; always wished someone would cover it, although nobody could play it better than these guys.

And for drummers out there - this is some of the best studio drumming I've ever heard. The technique is flawless and oh so tasteful. Some of the little ruffs and fills on the snare I still can't figure out how he played. But more importantly, he brings this band to life without showboating - powerful and exciting, but never over the top.

I'd STRONGLY recommed this album to anyone who likes big-band jazz and wants to hear something really unique. It will probably go out of print pretty quickly, so I would get this sooner than later. Listen to this with high-quality headphones and you will be amazed...

This album marks the point at which Maynard's band hit its stride in the era of the pop-rock-influenced big band sound. In the years just prior to this 1973 release, the band had relied heavily - but not always successfully - on interpretations of top-40 tunes to give it a contemporary sound and wider appeal (the "Ridin' High" album is a prime example of a less-than-successful effort). For this album, five of the seven tracks are original tunes written especially for the band in a contemporary rock-influenced style that would help set the standard for other groups that would follow. For example, "Mother Fingers" sounds like the type of material the Saturday Night Live band started to play a few years later.

The remaining two tracks ("Round Midnight" and "Love Theme from The Valachi Papers") are the ballad offerings of this set, done in a style more like Maynard's band of a decade earlier. Both are beautiful arrangements, and this rendition of "Round Midnight" may be the best big band version of that old standard ever recorded.

Trumpet enthusiasts may wish that Maynard had done more trumpet solos instead of switching to valve trombone for a couple of tunes, but it's always nice to hear what he does with the latter instrument, where he's not expected to play high notes all the time. Also, some listeners (myself included) would better enjoy the closing track "S.O.M.F." if it didn't open and close with solos by an Indian instrument identified as the "veen." Those who know Maynard's history recognize this as his homage to the time he spent in India in the 1960s, but it seems starkly out of place in a big band setting. (Note: The updated CD package mislabels this track as "S.M.O.F.")

For avid Maynard fans, especially those who heard him perform in the 1970s, this CD is a must-have. For others, this is good but not his best from this period - see my review of "M.F. Horn 4 & 5: Live at Jimmy's."

M.F. Horn 3 is a blast from the '70s. In song selection and execution I would rank it below Live at Jimmy's, above Chameleon, and a dead heat with M. F. Horn 2. While Screamin' Maynard's horn lifts you high enough for nose-bleeds, down below his sidemen play solid and with polish. While few today could sing the love theme from "The Valanchi Papers," the album boasts some standards ("'Round Midnight") and two classic Ferguson charts: Pete Jackson's "Mother Fingers" and Jeff Steinberg's incomparable "Nice 'n' Juicy."

The seller, Movie.Mars, did not rocket this order to me, but then I never asked them to. It arrived in unblemished condition just at the edge of their ETA.

OK Maynard is not the usuall Jazz that I listen to - but any of the albums he did are inspiring for the clean, awesome high playing --- and lets not forget Maynard seemed to always put a ballad on there with some "regular notes" in the range of the average player. Nonetheless it is inspiring to listen to, no matter what your skills as a trumpet player -- After all Maynard started at the same place at one point --- not playing an instrument at all, after all he wasn't born with it in his mouth -- gives us all some hope.

This album was never one of my faves back in the day but upon re-aquiring on CD I must admit it holds up well and there is a 'uniqueness' about it that I really enjoy. This is the last of the Columbia albums (1970s) with Maynard's absolutely killer British group with full big band instrumentation. The albums after this one were with Maynard's cut-down mostly American band with somewhat of a thinner (though still good) sound.

Except for two ballads, this album is all ORIGINAL funky charts I believe written by keyboard player Pete Jackson and other band members. Bruce Johnstone on bari sax added a new dimension with his great solos. The uniqueness is the kindof loopy spacey 'vibe' as most of these tunes are midtempo with a lot of open space (vamps) showcasing Ferguson's adlib trumpet and trombone solos. Sometimes both trumpet and trombone in the same tune!

Also there are Maynard solos with him playing trumpet through some mild electronics ala Don Ellis. Although this stuff could sound dated by 2007, I think Maynard sounds great even with the electronics. He was more than just a high note player... he was a good musician! Maynard was pretty hip and always changing. It's too bad he didn't experiment more with the electronics 'cause here it definately added another color.

The two ballads here are noteworthy. "Round Midnight" is an older chart (early 50-60's???) that I don't recall being recorded before. Maybe with the 50s Birdland Dream Band? Here, Maynard updates by playing on flugelhorn.... very lovely. After stating the melody, he plays one of the most perfect choruses ever heard on this 'standard'. Check it out! On flugelhorn! Perfect.

On "Valachi Papers" solid mid and low range Maynard ending in his reach-for-the-stars higher and higher climax. As the cliche goes....it will give you the shivers.

To sum up, a unique somewhat trippy album with (still) powerful Maynard soloing over funky vamps with a couple of beautiful ballads thrown in for good measure. Well worth owning.

This happens to be my favorite Maynard album of all time. The clowns at Columbia/Sony took their sweet time (30+ years) allowing this one to be released on CD -- just in time for Maynard himself not to see it happen (you can tell I am a big fan of Columbia/Sony brass). This was the last of the original "MF Horn" series recorded with the original "English" crew, and for once, Columbia got the audio right. A great sounding album, along with great performances by all involved.

Nice 'N Juicy is sll that and more. This is one Canadian whose trumpet screams and sings through many a song, his Flugle horn and Superbone opened doors for new musicians like Mangione and Hampton.

This was my favorate Maynard Ferguson LP. The CD sounds just as good as the LP. Note, however, that it is also just as long as the LP. That means that you are paying for a CD with less than 40 minutes of music on it.