To say it swings is the understatement of the year, any year but maybe 1959 would be a good one given the masterpieces that were recorded during that memorable year. Truly a worthy addition to the roll of honour.
The material is, in the main, numbers that initially hit during the swing era by Shaw, Dorsey, Goodman and co but that's where the resemblance ends. The tempos are faster, the solos wilder and I don't think even Buddy Rich drove a big band like Mel Lewis does here. The arrangements are divvied up between Marty Paich, Bill Holman, Al Cohn, Bob Brookmeyer, Gibbs and Med Flory with Holman getting the lion's share.
Gibbs' vibes solos are featured throughout and even on Hampton's Flying Home he loses nothing by comparision with the master. You can tell by his whoops and hollers in between numbers that he, like the audience, is enjoying himself.
The story behind the album is interesting in itself. The previous six albums by the Dream Band were released by Contemporary in the 1980s and '90s and the last thing Terry Gibbs expected was for his son, who had meticulously stored his father's recordings over the years, to discover these forgotten recordings hidden away on his computer.
Enhanced by modern technology and lots of TLC, the album is set for release this coming Sunday (Oct. 13) which just happens to be Terry Gibbs' 100th birthday. A fitting tribute to a great musician. Lance
(Collective): Terry Gibbs (vibes/MD); Al Porcino, Ray Triscari, Stu Williamson, Conte Candoli, John Audino, Lee Katzman (trumpets); Vern Friley, Bob Enevoldsen, Carl Fontana, Joe Cadena, Bill Smiley, Bob Burgess (trombones); Joe Maini, Charlie Kennedy (alto sax); Med Flory, Bill Holman, Bill Perkins (tenor sax); Jack Schwartz (baritone sax); Lou Levy, Pete Jolly, Benny Aronov (piano); Max Bennett, Buddy Clark (bass); Mel Lewis (drums)
*The Seville Club on March 16/17 and the Sundown Club on November 1, 2, 8 & 9.
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