Big City Rhythms

Maynard Ferguson, Michael Feinstein

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 12, 1999)
• Original Release Date: October 12, 1999
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Concord Records
• ASIN: B00001ZSTC
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #103,563 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
Michael Feinstein steps out from behind his piano to front a big band, and not just any band, but Maynard Ferguson's. Extending the jazzy course he started in his first Concord album, Michael & George, Feinstein sounds at ease whether the swing is light ("Girl Talk") or hard ("Let Me Off Uptown"). He also contributes two of his own songs ("The Rhythm of the Blues," "Swing Is Back in Style"). While occasional piercing trumpet lines remind us who the bandleader is, Ferguson doesn't spend that much time in the stratosphere--partly because he's now over 70 and partly because this crack band works beautifully in support of Feinstein. Released shortly after the singer opened his New York club, Feinstein's, Big City Rhythms will get your fingers snapping. --David Horiuchi

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars UNIQUE PARING, June 19, 2000

By	daddyojazz "daddyojazz" (NYC) - See all my reviews

Michael Feinstein and Mr. Chops what a unique coupling of musicians. The first time I saw Maynard was at the Newport Jazz Festival in the late 50's or early 60's. Only saw Mr. Feinstein crossing the street at where Doubleday's used to be on 5th Ave opposite Trump Tower. This album ,while not a knockout, is very pliable and swinging. Great CD to put in you BMW or Geo and roll down to the shore with. But this album leaves me with one longing ....WILL SOMEONE IN THE RECORDING INDUSTRY(maybe Mosiac or Rhino) please, PLEASE re-issue the wonderful Roulette material of that first great Maynard BIG Band sessions from 1957 through 1964. I can't for the life of me understand why these tracks have not been re-issued. Maynard had a glorious band with Slide Hampton, Don Ellis, Jaki Byard, Don Sebasky, etc. It's a shame with companies re-issuing everything but the kitchen sink with outakes no less; that this fantastic congregation of jazz stars has not had a package yet. Grrrr.. Anyway enjoy the Michael & Maynard CD, it is terrific music and with all the musical dreck there is out in the musical firmament,grab on to this.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Michael and Maynard, do it again!, July 6, 2001

By	Bob M. (Woodstock, NY) - See all my reviews

This one grew on me. I liked it a lot, even on first hearing, and I'm not especially a fan of Feinstein's. Why did I buy it? The promise of a Big Band and the Maynard Ferguson name. Ferguson's two albums, sadly currently not available on CD, with Chris Connor are all time favorites. Some of the songs, and all the arrangements, grabbed me here right off, some songs seemed like filler next to some of the standards. Little by little, it insinuated itself into the everyday, and it's now never out of reach. It's pretty hard to single out a track when it's all this good: the smooth and easy "Girl Talk," the super "One Day at a Time," a killer "The One I Love Belongs to Somebody Else," and, best of all, a new one on me, "You Can't Lose Em All." Feinstein's delivery of the line "Who knows maybe, this could be your loving baby" alone is worth the price of admission to one helluva CD.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars "Feinstein & Ferguson swingin' in style", November 13, 2000

By	J. Lovins "Mr. Jim" (Missouri-USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 50 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

Concord Jazz presents two great talents on one album, Michael Feinstein and Maynard Ferguson - "Big City Rhythms", pulls out all the stops. Moving in an exciting and creative new direction, Feinstein is captured in his first recording ever with a big band, teaming up with none other than legendary trumpeter/bandleader Maynard Ferguson.

Feinstein swings with his elegant vocal stylings contrasting magnificiently with Ferguson's robust trumpet and lyrical flugelhorn...all cradled in the exciting, big city rhythms and sounds of Maynard's swinging big band. Highlight: "MEDLEY: WHEN YOUR LOVER HAS GONE/THE GAL THAT GOT AWAY", simply a captivating performance. Feinstein as always, sings the verse and then chorus, a favorite artist among songwriters.

Concord and Feinstein, make a big splash with "Big City Rhythms", with his original interpretive style, will have you begging for more...just give a listen to "CLOSE YOUR EYES", heavily swinging typically up-tempo, as Feinstein struts his stuff!

Total Time: 65:04 on 16 Tracks...Concord Jazz CCD-4869...(1999)