Customer Reviews

Mr. Trumpet

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This is not the Harry James we remember of old. He does play some old standards. Most of the other cuts are rather untypical. I know from personal experience that Harry was still playing well back in 1972. I also know (a-la the Sheffield recordings of the mid 70s) that he could still take "new stuff" and make it appealing to unrepentant big band fans. Mr. Trumpet is not his best work. Note that 'Fred Hall's Swing Thing' is selling this thing for $17. I got stung!

I cannot disagree with other "negative" reviews of this album more. The only knock I would have on it is it's shortness in length.
In 1972, Harry James was still a potent trumpet player. I saw him perform many times during the seventies, and he never disappointed.
This album shows the more mature Harry James. His tone if possible was even stronger. And though he did not venture into the upper register as much as in his heyday, his low register sound was matched only perhaps by Bunny Berigan in the thirties.

I saw Harry perform 2 of the tracks on this album, "Sheik of Araby" and "And the Angels Sing." "Sheik of Araby" when Harry played it live, always turned into a real "barnburner!"
And his tribute to Ziggy Elman, "Angels" was heartfelt in concert.

"More Than You Know" should go down as one of Harry James' most beautiful ballad performances.
If you are a Harry James fan, you probably already have this album. It is a wonderful glimpse of the World's Greatest Trumpet Player in his twilight years.