Scratch [Live]

The Crusaders | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (February 25, 1997)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Live
• Label: Mca
• ASIN: B0000001XJ
• Also Available in: Audio Cassette  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #10,444 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #40 in Music > Jazz > Soul-Jazz & Boogaloo
  • #65 in Music > Jazz > Bebop > Hard Bop
  • #90 in Music > Jazz > Jazz Fusion

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Jazz with strong funk roots, May 4, 2000

By 

Tyler Smith (Denver, CO United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Scratch (Audio CD)

Their last few dreary commercial efforts made people forget that the Crusaders were originally the Jazz Crusaders, and "Scratch" brings out the band's jazz roots, captured in a live setting.

The title tune is a powerful set opener. It's R&B/funk flavored, but Wilton Felder on sax and Wayne Henderson on trombone work out strong extended improvisations. It's a party tune that sets the tone for the album: never a dull moment.

"Way Back Home" and "Hard Times" were staples in the band's repertoire, and both are very well done here, but for me the biggest surprise was the cover of "Eleanor Rigby." An unlikely candidate for a jazz piece, the song nevertheless comes to brand-new life in the hands of the Crusaders, who ditch the faux classical feeling of the original and instead give it a big, swaggering tone. By the time the band heats up, lonely old Eleanor is one swinging lady. It's a classic and deserves to be listened to and played more.

I listen to the dreary pop that Joe Sample has been producing since he left the Crusaders, then I put on "Scratch" and I wonder could that possibly be the same pianist. Sample, Felder, Henderson, and Stix Hooper clearly never found the musical inspiration as solo artists that they provided one another as the Crusaders. "Scratch" is a key selection in their large and mostly worthwhile discography.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great live album--this is what the Crusaders are about!, September 8, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Scratch (Audio CD)

This is an outstanding album that represents why the Crusaders have to best one of the best sounding and performing jazz groups. The arrangements show off the quality of the musicians and having it live enhances the experience. I have listened to the Crusaders since 1973 and still find their music to be refreshing and invigorating. These guys have heart and soul that they pour into their arrangements and the quality shows it!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The (Jazz) Crusaders Never Disappoint!, June 20, 2005

By 

Joseph DeRosa "music head" (Shelton, CT USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Scratch (Audio CD)

This album is a classic...I bought it to replace one that was stolen (along with about 400 other CDs) some years back. The years of growing up together and playing together shine through on this album, evident in the effortless smoothness of these tracks. From the fresh rendition of "Eleanor Rigby" to the flowing "Way Back Home" to the long-held TROMBONE (yes, trombone, NOT saxophone as stated by other reviewers) note by Wayne Henderson on Carole King's "So Far Away", this album never disappoints. The combination of Wayne Henderson's trombone and Wilton Felder's sax create a surprisingly fat sound. And don't forget Stix Hooper (drums), Joe Sample (keyboards), Larry Carlton (guitar), and Max Bennett (bass).