Customer Reviews

Stan Kenton Today

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

 

 

I grew up listening to this on vinyl (my father had the album) and I had been waiting desperately for it to come out on CD. I believe this is a great live Kenton CD. The soloists are relative unknowns, but everything Kenton typically brought to the big band arena is here:

Blistering trumpets: Check out what I think is the definitive version of "Intermission Riff" with either Mike Vax or Dennis Noday way up on top. Or the brief, yet effective version of "Take The A Train".

Beautiful ballads: Check out "Interlude" or Richard Torres (tenor sax) on the Kern/Harbach classic "Yesterdays"

Other standout cuts are "Fringe Benefits" and "Ambivalence"; there's even a version of "God Save The Queen". The trademark Kenton humor is in full force as well.

The only negative is that the sound is a little muffled at times, but the music overrides any sonic defects.

Absolutely thrilling, breathtaking performance. One of the most exhilarating records I've ever heard in my whole life, at last reissued on CD. A classic and one ultimately recommended.

Gary Husband - Musician, London.

I bought this album when it came out in 1972. I used to like to play it really loud. Now I am older and much more mature, so I play it REALLY LOUD. My tastes have broadened lots over the years, but I still rate this as one of the best ever.

Some tracks, such as "Ambivalence" and "Artistry in Percussion" are a little difficult at first, but they grow on you. The best way to listen to this album is in a single sitting with no distractions. It is transcendental!

No album demonstrates the power of a big band better than this one. I have been waiting years for "Stan Kenton Today: Live in London" to come out on CD. I just bought another copy

This 1972 double album, recorded live in London in front of an enthusiastic audience, launched a resurgence in the Kenton band's popularity that lasted until Stan's death in 1979. Having produced nothing noteworthy since the mid-1960s, the band roared back into the jazz spotlight on this concert tour with a mix of old standards from Stan's book (such as Opus in Pastels, Peanut Vendor, and of course Artistry in Rhythm) and new material (Chiapas, What Are You Doing the Rest of Your Life, and others).

This album came out at the time I was finishing high school, and it grabbed me and a whole new generation of fans. College and high school jazz ensembles all over the country wanted to get their hands on these charts, and music students wanted to buy Stan's records, go to his concerts, and attend his week-long summer jazz workshops at universities around the country. (I attended two of these myself.)

The 17 tracks in this set include high-energy crowd pleasers (Malagueña, Malaga, Intermission Riff), nice ballads (Yesterdays, Interlude, Walk Softly), and decent solos. The only tracks that didn't make it onto my iPod are Artistry in Percussion (featuring drummer John von Ohlen), Bogota (featuring conga man Ramon Lopez), and the brief rendition of God Save the Queen, played as a tribute to the British audience. Percussion lovers may enjoy the two drum features more than I did.

A couple of minor flaws: The balance could have been better, but that's often the case with live recordings, especially with a band this large. Also, I was surprised that the CD did not include a complete list of the sidemen or identify the soloists. Kenton fans consider it important to follow the names of those who have been privileged to play in this legendary organization over the years. (Personnel information is partially covered in Ken Hanna's original liner notes.) Nonetheless, this collection will be enjoyable for aficionados of contemporary big band music, and will bring back fond memories for many. If you never made it to a Kenton concert, here's your chance.

AS someone who was privileged to have been at the original concert at the royal festival hall,this brought back not only wonderful memories but also all one associated with the music of stan kenton.This time touring with young talented musicians recruited from colleges and universities throughout the U.S.A.who continued to play in the tight precision one came to expect from their leader but with youthful exuberance.The finale of The National Anthem should have adopted and played throughout the country to show how it should be played!

A true Stan the Man interpretation

I prefer live recordings for jazz artists, and this release highlights a more modern and youthful touring edition of the Stan Kenton Orchestra, circa early 70's. Like many reviewers, I frequently listened to this recording, originally issued as a London LP, since its sonic qualities were very good. I also had a copy of Kenton At The Tropicana to compare it with, and it's a favorable comparison. This band (orchestra, really) was comprised of young unknowns who clearly enjoyed being with and playing with Stan. A few years after this recording, I saw a later edition of the touring Stan Kenton Orchestra at the Central City Opera House, and can say that the enthusiasm of the musicians that's so in evidence on this recording was also evident in person. While not absolutely essential to any Stan Kenton collection, it is nonetheless a book end in an amazing career. I rate this 3+ stars based on the overall quality of the release, with bonus points for its being a live recording, hence my 4 star overall rating.

My freshman year, college roomate was a big Stan Kenton fan. He had this album. This and his album of Stan K's take on Wagner's "Tristan und Isolde" got me hooked on Stan's arrangement style. The energy and diversity of familiar pieces rearranged by Mr. Kenton caused me to look beyond my musical listening comfort zone. My tastes have since broadened to include styles of music I would not have considered had it not been for Stan and his work. I am thrilled that I can finally have my own copy of this fun album on CD! Thankfully, I can't wear out this CD like I did my roomates' vinyl album.