Very Alive at Ronnie Scott's [Live, Import]

Buddy Rich | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (March 4, 2008)
• Original Release Date: 2008
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Live, Import
• Label: BGO Records
• ASIN: B000ZIYLBQ
• Also Available in: Vinyl
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #90,952 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

Disc: 1

1. Moments Notice

2. Watson's Walk

3. St. Marks Square (A Special Day)

4. Little Train

5. Milestones

6. The Words

7. Dancing Men

8. Just Buddy Rich [Spoken Word]

Disc: 2

1. Superstar

2. Love Story

3. In a Mellow Tone

4. Two Bass Hit

5. Buddy Rich Introduces [Spoken Word]

6. That's Enough

7. Time Being

8. Buddy Rich Again [Spoken Word]

Editorial Reviews

Import. Remaster album of live performance at the famous Ronnie Scott's Jazz Club in London. Bernard "Buddy" Rich (September 30, 1917 Brooklyn, New York - April 2, 1987) was an American jazz drummer and bandleader. Rich was billed as "the world's greatest drummer" and was known for his virtuoso technique, power, and speed. A consummate player, Rich's prowess ranged from light-as-a-feather sensitivity behind piano trios to a G-force sound in big bands. But it was the latter ensembles that won him recognition. Rich began his big band work with Joe Marsala in 1937, followed by gigs with Bunny Berigan, Harry James, Artie Shaw and Benny Carter. In 1939, he joined Tommy Dorsey's band, where he cemented his reputation as a big band artist and roomed with singer Frank Sinatra. This famed musician received outstanding recognition throughout his career. The Downbeat Magazine Hall of Fame Award, the Modern Drummer Magazine Hall of Fame Award and the Jazz Unlimited Immortals of Jazz Award are just a few of his numerous honors. Rich gained international attention for such master compositions as his 10-minute West Side Story medley. BGO Records. UK. 2008.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Definitive Buddy Rich, May 25, 2008

By 

Marc Lombardi (Harleysville, PA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Very Alive at Ronnie Scott's (Audio CD)

Yes, I believe if you want to hear one CD that defines the best of Buddy's sound and energy this is the one. It was released in the US as Rich in London in the 70's with the same cover photo (I wore out my vinyl copy) but fewer tracks and in a different order, so this more complete version has more music and the benefits of remastering. If you have the original, yes, it is worth getting this version too. I believe this is Buddy's strongest trumpet section with Lin Biviano carrying the lead. The complexity of some of the charts, particularly Little Train and Time Being, goes well beyond swinging and reveals how tight this band really was. And Buddy's solos show him at his peak of speed and agility.

The recording quality is excellent, as were most of Buddy's other live recordings. We're very fortunate that Buddy recorded live as often as he did. Having seen his various bands at least a dozen times I can say a live recording is the only way to come close to capturing the energy and intensity.

So okay, there is one cut - the one with Buddy's daughter Kathy singing - that you may want to skip. I give her credit, she sounds a lot better than she did when she sang The Beat Goes On on an earlier album. I nearly saw her perform with the band live once and perhaps my impression could have been changed. But clearly this was all about a loving father giving his daughter a chance in the spotlight.

Also, check out Wham! Live and No Funny Hats for excellent live performances of the later bands.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The "complete" Rich In London, January 2, 2010

By 

R. Viehdorfer (Arvada CO) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Very Alive at Ronnie Scott's (Audio CD)

With concert jazz bands of this quality virtually extinct nowadays, I'd consider this to be essential to any big band library, certainly a necessity for any post-bop big band collection. I consider this 2 CD set to be the definitive version of the original RCA release up to now, and it's been long overdue. That's because there is more music (some of it forgettable, in this reviewers opinion) than the original U.S. release on vinyl so many years ago, or on the Mosaic re-release of that material (although the liner notes on that release are quite good). Sound quality is about the same on both the 'regular' CD re-issue of Rich In London (BMG import), the Mosaic release, and this 2-CD set. Years ago, I was openly disdainful of this dates sonic quality; I've revised my original opinion and now view it more favorably - the CD reissue has improved it. In comparison to some of the Pacific Jazz releases, this recordings' quality stands out as being more transparent and less muddy, especially in full 'shout' passages; the sections are more discernible, and the soloists are better balanced in the overall mix. While I somewhat prefer the recorded quality of Buddy's drums on, say, Mercy Mercy, or even Keep The Customer Satisfied, this recording sounds more honest, at least in terms of the acoustics of a live club date. One of the very few big band recordings, live or otherwise, which doesn't require fiddling with the tone controls, and doesn't sound as if it's been overly compressed. A live recording that has stood the test of time - I have friends who openly say this is probably the best overall recording of the Buddy Rich Big Band. You be the judge.

Some of these charts stood the test of time, being in the band book until the end. Dancing Men, The Word, In a Mellowtone - there are quite a few here that are essential to the Rich library. The added bonus, as anyone who has ever heard some of the on-stage recordings of Buddy chatting with the audience knows, are the Buddy Rich Speaks segments, longer than on the original U.S. release. Bottom line: this recording should be in every jazz aficionado's collection.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This is the CD to have!, December 28, 2008

By 

Charles Braun (Warminster, PA United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Very Alive at Ronnie Scott's (Audio CD)

This is the only CD of this title to purchase. It is the only disc that is a complete reissue of the original RCA LP record. Others have released abridged versions, but this two disc set is complete. The band and Buddy are on fire here and pulled out the all the stops to present exciting musical nights at Ronnie Scott's. Highly recommended!