(Review by Lance).
What a combination! Arguably, the world's best big band and, quite probably, the best vocal ensemble on the planet dining on some of the tastiest tunes and lyrics served up by master musical chefs such as Johnny Mercer; Cole Porter; Vincent Youmans; Hoagy Carmichael; Jerome Kern; Dorothy Fields; Yip Harburg; Fred Coots; Burton Lane and Gene DePaul.
Vocal harmonies that give you goosebumps and instrumental solos that had me applauding even though I was in 'The Den' listening alone! all made possible thanks to the vocal arrangements of Darmon Meader and the band charts, as arranged, by Bob Mintzer. Meader also combined with Eldridge to arrange the emotive I Get Along Without You Very Well where Eldridge took the vocal lead.
Needless to say, Mintzer's tenor is heard to good advantage as is John Malach. Sheppard excels on alto and there are telling contributions from Rosenberg on baritone. Wendholt handles the trumpet solos with Bush and Ashby cooking the 'bones.
The album is nothing less than magic. A musical gourmet's delight.
Lance.
Autumn Leaves; I Concentrate on You; I Want to be Happy; I Get Along Without You Very Well; The Way You Look Tonight; You Go to my Head; Old Devil Moon; Weird Blues; Speak Low; I'll Remember April.
Kim Nazarian, Lauren Kinhan, Darmon Meader, Peter Eldridge (vocals);
Bob Mintzer (tenor/ flute); Bob Sheppard, Lawrence Feldman (alto/flute); Bob Malach (tenor); Roger Rosenberg (baritone/clarinet);
Bob Millikan, Frank Greene, Scott Wendholt, James Moore (trumpets);
Keith O'Quinn, Jeff Bush, Jay Ashby (trombones); David Taylor (bass trombone);
Phil Markowitz: piano; Marty Ashby: guitar; Jay Anderson: bass; John Riley: drums.
Album is available from today (June 22).
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