Customer Reviews

Wham

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Being a drummer and having listened to Buddy Rich and his band play live gigs from the late '60s until the time of death, I can honestly say that this album captures the power, dynamics, energy, and precision of this amazing drummer and his "Killer Force" band maybe better than any I have (and I own over 40 Rich LPs/CDs). Although the tracks can be found on other Buddy Rich albums, you won't find better life performances, and that's what makes this album truly remarkable. Buddy and his band always played faster and with more energy in front of a live audience and that's what you're paying for. Be amazed at the pure snare drum solo on "Bugle Call Rag" - a real rarity. The Miles Davis classic, "So What?" is also a treasure because of the extreme tempo and drum solo that underlies the bass riff. Here you'll enjoy cymbal and tom-tom work that you've never heard on any other Rich album. A huge treat - and the only real reason you need to buy this CD - is the finale featuring the classic "Channel One Suite." It's over 26 minutes long (!) and begins with a superb brush solo that opens the number. Steve Marcus interrupts the frenzy long enough to lay down an amazing tenor solo before the band joins in for a furious ending.

Alan Gauvin - a former band member - claims to have access to ninety hours of tape covering the band over a two-and-a-half year period. If that's true and the quality and energy are as good as this first go-round, we've got years musical blessings to come!

I have just experienced the pinnacle of listening pleasure. Buddy and the band haven't been captured this way since "Mercy Mercy."

I had the thrill of seeing BR live about 20 times between 1973 and 1985, and this CD captures the anticipation and energy of those live concerts.

Debates will ensue over the best track but, for me, I was blown away by Don Menza's "Time Check"--composed over a quarter of a century ago, yet will sound contemporary 500 years from now. The "kicker" here is that, compared to the studio version on "The Roar of 74" as well as the live version on the video "Rich At The Top", the cut is "disguised" by putting a piano solo in the intro (played by one of Buddy's best alumnus, Barry Keiner)as well as a slower tempo and the band comes roaring in like you would not believe! The more relaxed tempo sets up thunderous machine-gun like triplets at the end which had me... near lose control of my car. If you listen closely enough during the applause at the end, you hear some young dude say, "this guy is serious". No s---!!

The ensemble playing as well as the soloists are in the "zone"--great trumpet solos on "Willowcrest" and "Channel One".

An absolute wild off the hook drum solo over bass on "So What"---the man was a genius, using spacing, phrasing, that splash cymbal is wild!

The audio fidelity is sound-board quality, from Buddy's bass drum to the resonance of his Zildian cymbals.

I could go on forever, but in closing, let me say: I would have gladly paid 50 bucks.

Thank goodness that Alan Gauvin taped over 90 hours of Buddy's band playing live! This album is a total gas! This is the real thing -- Buddy's band playing it as they always did -- very live and in your face (or ears)! The feeling of this performance is wonderful and puts the listener right in the midst of the band.

The band is dead on and exhibits some very fine performances by the musicians! Of course, Buddy's playing -- what can you say? There are no adjectives that can describe it. His playing must be experienced. Anyway, he is at his best!

The album kicks off with a very fast "Time Out". Drummers, catch Buddy's bass drum work in this and his alternating patterns between his left hand and bass drum. "Tales Of Rhoda Rat" is a sophisticated and elegant suite that demonstrates the melodic quality this band was capable of. "Cape Verdean Blues" really cooks and Barry Keiner does a wonderful job on piano. Buddy kicks off "Bugle Call Rag" with a very energetic parade solo and then simply swings through this tune at a breath taking pace. "So What" follows and you wonder -- when will they catch their breath? Buddy's coda on this tune with the bassist is very creative, modern and one that all drummers will enjoy. The clincher is "Channel One Suite". This one will knock your socks off. From the opening solo on brushes into the very fast tempo of this piece through Steve Marcus' a capella sax solo to Buddy's finale. It is totally entertaining and a performance worthy of having in your permanent collection.

The recording quality is superb, the separation excellent and you will never hear Buddy's drums sound as well as they do hear on a studio recording.

Check it out and give your ears a real treat!

I have been listening to big band jazz for nearly 30 years. Ironically, it was the Buddy Rich Band which got me "hooked" with the Buddy Rich at Ronnie Scott's album on RCA. In those 30 years I've listened to and enjoyed many big bands. But the performances on Wham! are surely at the very pinnacle of modern big-band jazz. There may be a few others on the same peak, but it's very select company. My favourite performances are Menza's "Time Out" and "Time Check", but every chart is tight, exciting,and swings very hard. The soloists are inspired but sometimes a little off-mike. It would have been helpful if recording producer Alan Gauvin had identified the soloists in the notes. And he could do it, because he was sitting there in the saxophone section! What amazes me about Buddy is not just his solos but how integrated he was with his band. There are many great big-band drummers but I've never heard another quite like him. He's on top of everything that's happening in the arrangement. Stunning music and to think there are 88 hours more in the can!

Length:: 3:26 Mins

In which Buddy Rich goes to London town and plays for the Queen...

This CD proves once and for all that Buddy is still the World's Greatest Drummer. The recording is superb, in stereo with excellent balance of sections. The crowning chart is Channel One Suite which is 26:23 (not the 18:00 listed) Buddy announces Channel with a 3 minute brush solo, caps it off with a technically perfect 5:45 snare & tom-tom solo ending with Buddy's typical crowd-raiser 3:41 conclusion. Rich fans, you must have this CD!

Anyone who knows anything about drums knows that Buddy was and still is "THE GREATEST DRUMMER THAT EVER DREW BREATH.". Having got that out of the way, I can go ahead and discuss this cd. It's absolutely fantastic. It cooks, it burns, and it's so hot you'd better wear protective gloves so you don't burn your hands when you handle it. Other things that could be said about it are "WOW!!!!!", "WOW!!!!!!", "WOW!!!!!", and "WOW!!!!!". I guess that about sums up my review. If you want more details, read some of the other excellent reviews.

I am thrilled that someone took the initiative to get this band on CD! This era of Buddy's band was easily his best ever. The fire the band plays with and Buddy's drumming are phenomenal!! Just think,Buddy was 60 when he played these concerts and his chops are blazing! This is one of the most exciting big band records I have ever heard! Check out the sixteenth note triplet solo at the end of "Time Check" and the 48 bar solo to finish "Bugle Call Rag"-count it...it's right on the money! This is "OH MY GOD" Buddy Rich Band. Don't even think about missing it! Please release more of this era.

Having listened to Buddy Rich and his band play live gigs from the late '60s until the time of death, I can honestly say that this album captures the power, dynamics, energy, and precision of this amazing drummer and his "Killer Force" band maybe better than any I have (and I own over 40 Rich LPs/CDs). Although the tracks can be found on other Buddy Rich albums, you won't find better life performances, and that's what makes this album truly remarkable. Buddy and his band always played faster and with more energy in front of a live audience and that's what you're paying for. Be amazed at the pure snare drum solo on "Bugle Call Rag" - a real rarity. The Miles Davis classic, "So What?" is also a treasure because of the extreme tempo and drum solo that underlies the bass riff. Here you'll enjoy cymbal and tom-tom work that you've never heard on any other Rich album. A huge treat - and the only real reason you need to buy this CD - is the finale featuring the classic "Channel One Suite." It's over 26 minutes long (!) and begins with a superb brush solo that opens the number. Steve Marcus interrupts the frenzy long enough to lay down an amazing tenor solo before the band joins in for a furious ending.

Alan Gauvin - a former band member - claims to have access to ninety hours of tape covering the band over a two-and-a-half year period. If that's true and the quality and energy are as good as this first go-round, we've got years musical blessings to come!

The drums and bass are primarily what "drive" this album, but it detracts from the other musicians in the band. Better versions of these songs are on previous live albums. On this particular album, the band is definitely stuck in a 70s rock mode, which is a drawback when it pertains to playing big band music. The electric bass makes the whole album sound cheesy. The only Buddy Rich songs that ever sounded good for an electric bass was 'Birdland' or 'Fiesta,' but even 'Birdland' was a cover of the Weather Report original.

The drums make the band sound as though they were off cue. I suppose it could be from hearing these songs previously at a slower tempo. This seems more obvious than on other live albums.

'Willowcrest' and 'Bugle Rag Call' are great songs on their own merit, but a much better version of them are on the 'Big Swing Face' album.

The one song that needs a bass player doesn't have one:
'Little Train.' What a disappointment. Again, a far better "live" version of it is on the album 'Time Being'

Stick to 'Mercy, Mercy' if you want to hear a good rendition of 'Channel One Suite.' There is no question about the intro, but the rest of the song is not as good. The solo work on the 'Mercy,Mercy' version is without question far and above that contained within this album.

The brushwork and snare, though, is impressive so overall a good album.