AMG Review of Burning for Buddy: A Tribute to the Music of Buddy Rich, Vol. 2

Steve Huey
All Music Guide

Like the first volume, Burning for Buddy: A Tribute to the Music of Buddy Rich, Vol. 2 assembles a shifting cast of virtuoso trap-set players sitting in with the Buddy Rich Big Band in order to pay tribute to its legendary founder. There are fewer rock drummers this time around, although Bill Bruford and Neil Peart are back. In fact, many of these guest drummers were also present on the first volume. Unfortunately, some of the players who lent a greater variety of approach and background are missing here. That isn't to say that there are no good performances on Vol. 2, because there certainly are; beat for beat, though, it isn't quite as compelling as Vol. 1.