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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
13 of 13 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
This album was released in 1970, not a period usually associated with the best of big band jazz. Thad Jones, himself a tremendous flugelhorn player, was then at the helm of what is now known as the Vanguard Jazz Orchestra with his longtime musical collaborator Mel Jones on drums, and this is their most important release.
All eight pieces here are by Thad Jones himself, and their scope and variety demonstrate his skills a as jazz composer, with no fewer than four absolute classics here - "Dedication" begins as a sombre, harmonically intricate soundscape, and the band explodes into life spontaneously and with superb precision - it is an absolute gem. "Tiptoe" is a delicate piece, with layered melody and harmony lines interlaced perfectly by a band on top form, and swings effortlessly throughout. "Fingers" is a funk masterclass, tight and focused, rhythmically complex, and with superb basslines, over which the whole group drives powerfully. Best of all is "A Child is Born", for me Thad Jones' most beautiful composition, and one on which his flugelhorn sounds particularly exquisite - it is best to simply listen to this one as I cannot describe it adequately.
This is a superb and important album, tremendously accomplished and full of exceptional pieces, played by one of the finest and most innovative jazz orchestras in history. An undisputed classic, and worth the price for "A Child is Born" alone.
All eight pieces here are by Thad Jones himself, and their scope and variety demonstrate his skills a as jazz composer, with no fewer than four absolute classics here - "Dedication" begins as a sombre, harmonically intricate soundscape, and the band explodes into life spontaneously and with superb precision - it is an absolute gem. "Tiptoe" is a delicate piece, with layered melody and harmony lines interlaced perfectly by a band on top form, and swings effortlessly throughout. "Fingers" is a funk masterclass, tight and focused, rhythmically complex, and with superb basslines, over which the whole group drives powerfully. Best of all is "A Child is Born", for me Thad Jones' most beautiful composition, and one on which his flugelhorn sounds particularly exquisite - it is best to simply listen to this one as I cannot describe it adequately.
This is a superb and important album, tremendously accomplished and full of exceptional pieces, played by one of the finest and most innovative jazz orchestras in history. An undisputed classic, and worth the price for "A Child is Born" alone.
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
Great record, fantastic sound, some of the most advanced big band arrangements ever made. And it is by no means "dated" the way many jazz recordings from the early seventies are. I can't think of any good comparisons, this band was in a league of its own (One candidate is/was the Danish radio big band of the late seventies - led by Thad Jones!). It's mainstream jazz, but so sophisticated in dynamics, variety and sound palette that it stretches the boundaries. When are they gonna publish the OTHER gems from Thad and Mel? Juicy, funky, beautiful stuff!
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
Yes, it's a great orchestra;
Thad Jones and Mel Lewis big band received all the praise with reason;
there are some fine solos here by Thad, Roland Hanna, Jerome Richardson, Marvin Stamm,Snooky Young,Jerry Dodgion, Billy Harper,Dave Spinozza (g), eddie Daniels, Benny Powell,Danny Moore, Richard Davis (I mentioned almost everyone who solos, I guess),
but it's the ensemble work that shines here; composed and arranged by Thad Jones these tracks are cooking and showing enough variety for my tastes.
Highly recommended.
Thad Jones and Mel Lewis big band received all the praise with reason;
there are some fine solos here by Thad, Roland Hanna, Jerome Richardson, Marvin Stamm,Snooky Young,Jerry Dodgion, Billy Harper,Dave Spinozza (g), eddie Daniels, Benny Powell,Danny Moore, Richard Davis (I mentioned almost everyone who solos, I guess),
but it's the ensemble work that shines here; composed and arranged by Thad Jones these tracks are cooking and showing enough variety for my tastes.
Highly recommended.
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