Big Swing Face not only reissues the second recording by Buddy Rich & His Big Band but doubles the program with nine previously unissued performances from the same engagement at the Chez Club in Hollywood. Rich's orchestra was in its early prime, displaying a very impressive ensemble sound, charts by Bill Holman, Shorty Rogers, Bob Florence, Bill Potts and others, and such soloists as altoist Ernie Watts (a newcomer), trumpeter Bobby Shew, Jay Corre on tenor and the remarkable drummer/leader. Even with the presence of "Norwegian Wood" and "The Beat Goes On" (the latter features Rich's teenage daughter Cathe on a vocal), this is very much a swinging set. Rich has some outstanding solos and lots of drum breaks but does not hog the spotlight; he was justifiably proud of his band.
This song came on my media player via shuffle today and It hit me that this is one of those rare songs that in my opinion, EVERY music lover should have in his or her collection. If you don't have it you can get it here by the way...http://satisfiedmind.multiply.com/music/item/1323What other tunes, from any and all genres, would you guys consider essential for any music fanatic to have??I have ...
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Not to be confused with the lovely 1923 song "Mexicali Rose" by Helen Stone and Jack Tenny, "Mexicali Rose was written for Buddy Rich to debut with his new big band by Harry Betts. It became identified with the Rich band for many years. It has a semblance to Lalo Schifrin's theme for "Mannix" except the tv show debut some time later. The opening is for swinging saxes with a Latin heat and a sup...
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Bill Potts wrote a piece which takes its title after Buddy Rich's nick name "Big Swing Face." This is a swinging work that has a Basie-like sound with loads of call and response between saxes and brass. John Bunch at the piano gets first crack at a solo that crackles with excitement. Daniel Quill plays an angular alto sax solo. Saxes and brass are loose and swinging with Bobby Shew (who was par...
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Although it has words by Jack Pettis, Billy Meyers and Elmer Schoebel, "Bugle Call Rag" has been a showpiece for every important drummer ever since the song came out in 1923. As arranged by Bill Holman, the time honored bugle calls signal a death defying drum solo by Buddy Rich that kicks the entire band into high gear with precision and enough energy to light the entire planet and the moon and...
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Buddy Rich (1917 - 1987) was rightfully called "the world's greatest drummer." That title barely scratches the surface of a man whose outward image as leader of a fusion jazz orchestra overshadowed much of what he was about as a musician. A 1994 album entitled "Burning For Rich" spotlighted mostly rockers who had little understanding of what made Rich a drummer. Their un-rhythmic performances w...
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The days of radio in the 1960s had changed radically since the network days of the 1930s and 1940s. Drama, comedy, variety and game shows were no longer being offered. Instead, the affiliated stations were playing more and more music geared to a younger audience. Music radio on NBC radio had a beacon program named "Monitor" which ran on the weekdays and weekends with big name hosts such as Henr...
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Another composition receiving its debut that evening was "Willowcrest" by Bob Florence who had been working with his own band along with Buddy's at Pacific Jazz. It's a brooding opus opening with the saxes blowing up a wistful breeze against a steady, grooving beat. Watch for solos by trumpeter Bobby Shew set against just Buddy and rhythm before Jay Corre on tenor sax plays a desperate sounding...
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Just some fun for all with Buddy Rich and his daughter.
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Although "Love for Sale" was written in 1930 by Cole Porter for his stage musical "The New Yorkers," the song itself was banned from radio for a very long time due to its risque lyrics that told about the selling of "love" for money (i.e.: prostitution). The song itself was well known to musicians and was recorded quite a lot by everyone including Ella Fitzgerald. In this treatment by Pete Myer...
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Shorty Rogers was a pioneer in writing West Coast flavored jazz that floated with ease across the surf of jazz oriented oceans. "Wack Wack" is no exception. There are no illusions as to where this piece is playing to in the audience: those who were young or young at heart were the prime movers in this work. Beginning with a rock riff, "Wack Wack" is suitable for dancing through the sixties with...
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 "Big Swing Face")
