Ridin' High

Maynard Ferguson | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (November 2, 2004)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Wounded Bird Records
• ASIN: B00065TZCS
• Also Available in: Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 2.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #441,268 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

A decade after he left Stan Kenton's band, this trumpet virtuoso was, indeed, "ridin' high" as a solo artist, releasing this fine album in 1966.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars A Disturbing and Fascinating Album, February 5, 2005

By 

Michael Minn (New York City) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Ridin' High (Audio CD)

Released in 1966 with little fanfare on a long forgotten label, "Ridin' High" is symbolic of the nadir that big band jazz reached in mid-60's America. This was Maynard's last album with the vestiges of the Birdland Dream Band before he followed the throngs of great American jazz artists exiled to the more receptive climes of Europe. The band features some excellent musicians (Lew Tabakin, Pepper Adams, Slide Hamption) and arrangers (Don Sebesky, Slide Hampton).

However, the whole is less than the sum of the parts. Maynard was obviously dealing with some chops problems as his trademark high notes are either strained or non-existent and his midrange solos sometimes verge on the bizzare. I recall an interview where he mentioned having some dental problems after getting hit in the mouth by a drunk at a dance, and I suspect that is the issue here. I consulted Maynard's biography (MF Horn by William F. Lee) but the book is a puff piece that rarely addresses the low points in Maynard's life with much honesty and contains only passing reference to this album.

Many of the arrangements reflect a feeble attempt to create a more "contemporary" sound with rock-flavored head tunes that are surprisingly unsatisfying to 21st-century ears. A true fusion of jazz horns with rock sensibilities would have to wait for Chicago, BS&T and a new crop of arrangers that would gain attention only a few months later. Ironically, perhaps the most interesting arrangement is a pointillistic cover of "Alfie," but hearing Maynard struggle unsuccessfully to soar majestically is almost painful to hear. The sonic quality of the album is stunningly clear for a 39-year-old tape, but the discrete stereo separation and complete lack of reverb only enhance the warts in the playing.

For die-hard Maynard fans interested in a complete picture of the artist, this album should probably be heard. But for those seeking the fabled excitement of Maynard Ferguson and his piercing high notes, you would be better served by the first "Birdland Dream Band" album, "Verve Jazz Masters 52" (a collection from his 50's Mercury recordings), Columbia collections like "The Essense of Maynard Ferguson," or his commercial trumphs "Conquistador" and "New Vintage"

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Curio, November 14, 2004

By 

B. Urish (East Lansing, MI United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Ridin' High (Audio CD)

A good album, very good in parts, but not great. Also known under the title "Freaky" this has significance to MF's career as the last album by the band that grew out of the Birdland Dream Band in 1956. This album is from 10 years later, and has some good arrangements, but is not the best performance of MF.

On some numbers he is lacking his usual fire and zip, as though he is tired or having a bad night. Even so, he plays with command and flair throughout.

The first number is an odd one, with MF supplying an appropriate and equally odd solo, though the number doesn't quite come off. There are some jazzy pop numbers (Sunny, etc.) but fans of MF's pop fusion work from the 1970s will not hear what they expect here as the sound and style is closer to his earlier 1960s work. I'm a fan of both eras of MF's career, but this album is an uneasy mix of the two.

Notable sidemen include Lou Soloff, Lew Tabaken, Slide Hampton and others.

Not a bad effort, but it is MF in transition and just a tad off the mark. Fans of MF and/or big band sounds of the 1960s will find enough to enjoy, others might want to make this a lower priority.

8 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Read & Believe All the Reviews!, October 4, 2005

By 

W. Beck "Wil B." (Chicago, IL United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Ridin' High (Audio CD)

Even though there are some fine musicians on this album, something went horribly wrong. The charts are mediocre, the band sounds awful, Maynard is really struggling. You will only listen to it once. For Maynard COLLECTORS only. Even then, you might think twice about your purchase.

Nice picture of Maynard on the motorcycle, though. Ridin' high???

Maybe Playin' "high"!