Birdland

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
Birdland quite possibly qualifies for entry into the Guinness Book of Records under the "longest ever gap between studio albums" category. After all, when the Yardbirds last released a proper record (1967's Little Games, a mixed affair featuring some up-and-coming guitarist called Jimmy Page), man had yet to visit the moon, Tony Blair was a 14-year-old schoolboy, and the White Stripes were what you saw on the road at zebra crossings. Of course, nothing the Yardbirds could possibly do now will ever attain the dizzy, head-swimming heights of their psychedelic 1960s heyday, but Birdland--with some dignity--is certainly not the sound of washed-up ex-rock stars sucking their stomachs in and combing their hair forward. Reconvening around a nucleus of original members Chris Dreja and Jim McCarty, the latter-day lineup also boasts the pedigree of former Dr Feelgood guitarist and co-writer John "Gypie" Mayo as well as guest appearances aplenty from such ostentatious fretboard manipulators as Brian May, Steve Vai, Joe Satriani, Slash, and even Jeff Beck himself. And while dismissing the production work on their classic 1960s hits as "crap" may well be a poor excuse for offering these buffed-up re-recordings of their greatest moments ("Shapes of Things," "For Your Love," etc.), at least accusations of laurel-resting are convincingly countered by the inclusion of some stimulating new material. For example, "The Mystery of Being"--worryingly described by the band as "Afghan psychedelia"--is just the sort of Arabian rock illusion previously conjured up by Ritchie Blackmore's Rainbow. The tribute to Keith Relf on "An Original Man" is worthy of the Byrds at their brotherly prime, and "Crying Out for Love" is mature blues with heart, soul, and sensitivity. Frankly, one could only wish the Rolling Stones' songwriting skills were still as sharp. --Kevin Maidment

Album Description
The first release by the Yardbirds in 35 years, featuring Jeff 'Skunk' Baxter, Jeff Beck, Chris Dreja, Alan Glen, John Idan, Steve Lukather, Brian May, Jim McCarthy, Slash, Joe Satriani, Steve Vai and more. Features 7 new, 2003 tracks and re-recordings of 8 classic hits. Special digipak packaging includes lyric booklet. Favored Nations label. 2003.

Tracks:

If I Were A Bell
Jitterbug Waltz
Two By Two
La Plus Que Lente/Passion Flower
Little Waltz
Lotus Blossom
Stella By Starlight
Slow Hot Wind
Clotilde
Confirmation

Amazon.com

Even though he accompanied any number of legends during the late 1950s and '60s, Steve Kuhn doesn't have the name recognition of other jazz artists who came of age during that period. But few pianists have maintained as high a standard as he has in the mainstream trio setting. Live at Birdland, which occasions the reunion of one of his best threesomes--the bassist is Ron Carter, the drummer Al Foster, both Miles Davis alumni--is one of his most consistently engaging albums. A keen intelligence and lively wit is at work on this tuneful terrain, which ranges from the shifting tempos and tones of "Jitterbug Waltz" to the luminous reflection of Carter's "Little Waltz" (which the bassist graces with a lovely solo) to the lovely intersection between Billy Strayhorn's "Passion Flower" and a Debussy waltz, "La Plus Que Lente." There's a romping aspect to the set as well: In his late 60s, Kuhn has lost nothing in speed or agility, rendering Kenny Dorham's "Lotus Blossom" with light-fingered brilliance. If another pianist hadn't stolen the "State of the Art" tag, he certainly could hang out that shingle on this album, one of the most enjoyable in this vein in quite some time. --Lloyd Sachs

Customer Reviews:

a nice evening out.......2007-06-28

a light deft touch marks kuhn's style. had me thinking of art tatum and oscar peterson. if i were a bell reminded me of miles' rendition on relaxin' with miles. some other jazz standards, a selection written by kenny dorham, trumpeter, two kuhn originals. one of my favorites, jitterbug waltz by fats waller, has me regretful i was not at birdland the night this was recorded, what a nice night that must had been. and you can't go wrong with al foster and ron carter, little waltz written by carter. a theme of music and flowers, two waltzes, a passion flower and a lotus blossom, in starlight, a slow hot wind blowing. this could be a presumptuous picture in other hands, kuhn, nicely, carries it off.

Very Appealing Live Trio Set.......2007-06-05

The 10 tracks were selected by Kuhn as the best from a four-night run at Birdland. The pianist rented a Hamburg-D Steinway (his favorite) for the occasion, and makes it sparkle. As others have indicated, audio quality is outstanding, making you feel like you're sitting in the club. I probably own close to 50 CDs with Ron Carter on bass, but I've never heard him as clearly as on this recording. The music is spontaneous and inventive, and should please just about anyone. Great playing all around by these 3 classy veterans; Kuhn's virtuosity peaks on the final cut --Charlie Parker's Confirmation, a most appropriate selection for this venue.

Best CD I've bought this year........2007-05-26

Great album! It is rare to have such musical genius and recording excellence combine on one CD. Steve Kuhn sounds like - Steve Kuhn and nobody else. Teamed with Ron Carter and Al Foster, the trio creates wonderful chemistry on the best-engineered live performance you will ever hear. Katherine Miller is credited with recording, mixing and mastering the album. If this is an example of her expertise, I am going to start looking for her name in album credits like I used to look for Rudy Van Gelder.

Hail the Return of the Great Steve Kuhn Trio.......2007-04-12

On the 20th anniversary of their 1986 recording at the Village vanguard, the Steve Kuhn trio (featuring Ron Carter on bass and Al Foster on drums) reconvenes for two glorious nights of traditional AND adventurous jazz at Birdland. Like its predecedssor, the sessions are marked first and foremost by Kuhn's incredibly rich and distinctive tone. The Big-Ben theme that opens the first tune, "If I Were a Bell," establishes the sound right away. And like the 1986 date, the interplay between the three players is dazzling--and seemlingly effortless.

But "Live at Birdland" is not a mere re-do. If, at the time, the Village Vanguard sessions proved a high-water mark for the pianist's career, he proceeded to follow it up with an uninterrupted flow of excellent live and studio recordings that showed him stretching his vocabulary and developing his prowess in ways one had previously not expected from him. "Live at Birdland" is a masterful culmination of such experiments. He has more confidence than ever before, which enables him to solo more effectively.

"Jitterbug Waltz" was a highlight of the first record. It was a restrained, elegant classic that underwent a series of impressive tempo shifts without ever undergoing a change in mood. Here it acheives all this plus more: in the opening solo Kuhn states the theme more fully. The trio then treat it to a number of variations and tempo shifts. At roughly the seven-minute mark, there is a terribly exciting kick into another gear for several minutes, which then cools down into the closing section.

There are inevitable comparisons between the two recordings, since Kuhn decides to use a handful of the same tunes for each. Thankfully, this decision is not repetitious. And, when Kuhn does introduce new material, it startles. The final tune, a driving rendition of Parker's "Confirmation," will leave you breathless.

Solid and Stylish.......2007-03-16

If this isn't my very favorite Steve Kuhn album, it's still very stylish, creative and lovely. It's nice to hear these vets together in live setting and Kuhn remains one of the best unheralded players. I
would still go first for his trio albums with David Finck and Billy Drummond (mostly on Reservoir I think), or some of the ECM titles for their 'experimentalism.' This one shows another side though. Very fine stuff.

Average customer rating:

you need this.
Coltrane v. Fat Freddie
Essential
THE QUARTET
Elvin Jones and Coltrane

Live at Birdland
John Coltrane
Manufacturer: Grp Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Avant Garde & Free Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music

Bebop General | Bebop | Jazz | Styles | Music

General | Jazz | Styles | Music

Modern Postbebop | Jazz | Styles | Music

General | Live Albums | Jazz | Styles | Music

GRP | Verve Music Group | Specialty Stores | Music

$9.99 and Under | Blowout Music | Stores | Music

Jazz | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music

All Blowout Music | Blowout Music | Stores | Music

$9.99 and Under | Prices | Blowout Music | Stores | Music

More Titles at Least 25% Off | Blowout Music | Stores | Music
Similar Items:

John Coltrane: Crescent
Live At The Village Vanguard: The Master Takes
Thelonious Monk Quartet with John Coltrane at Carnegie Hall
The Complete 1961 Village Vanguard Recordings
One Down, One Up: Live at the Half Note

ASIN: B000003N8O
Release Date: 1996-11-05

Tracks:

Afro-Blue
I Want To Talk About You
The Promise
Alabama
Your Lady
Vilia

Customer Reviews:

you need this........2007-02-10

one of my 3 favorite john coltrane albums. this is an incredibly soulful and spiritually moving recording. coltrane's sax playing here soars and the rythmn section rolls along like thunder beneath it all building one great throbbing sound. mcoy tyner's piano playing is superlatively inventive and a joy to experience. an absolute jazz masterpiece that all jazz lovers should own.

Coltrane v. Fat Freddie.......2006-05-08

This might be my favorite Coltrane record. The disc adds one song not on the lp--Vilia from the operetta "The Merry Widow." I really like it all-especially "I Want To Talk About You" and "Afro-Blue."

Afro Blue is wonderful because Coltrane plays a short introduction and then the rhythm section builds up tension as their playing continues to get more and more intense. Tyner and Jones are wildmen. Then Coltrane rips and tears his way through and soars over the top of the rhythm section for a marvelous cresciendo. The music still stays within some invisible boundary so that listeners turned off by "free jazz" are still satisfied.

When I was in college and we had stereo wars, I remember playing this song incredibly loud with Elvin Jones beating those drums as if his life depended on it. My neighbor, Fat Freddie, was simply playing some forgettable rock song trying to defend against the John Coltrane Qt. It was a lost cause.

Raw power on the hoof. This recording should not be missed.

Essential.......2006-01-19

The title is a bit misleading since only the first three cuts are 'live' recordings.
Make no mistake though:
this entire release is so, so totally LIVE!
Can you get to that?
Cop this disc and you will.
For real.
Both 'Afro Blue' and 'I Want To Talk About You' have appeared on other Coltrane and Impulse! reissues so you probably are already hip to them but in case you aren't?
Be prepared for some definita kill.
Coltrane seems to have played 'Afro Blue' at least as often (maybe more) as 'My Favorite Things' yet this version is not only the most soulful, musical, and dynamic I've heard but also the best recorded.
'I Want To Talk About You' is like the liner notes state:a straight up lesson on how to blow.
'The Promise' is (IMHO) one of two of Coltrane's most overlooked compositions and recordings.
The other, 'Your Lady' is also included here, lucky dog!
I got hip to it many,many moons ago (after I'd copped the now long out of print 2 Lp Impulse! release "John Coltrane: His Greatest Years, Volume II, which also had an edited version of 'Greensleeves', 'India', 'Chim Chim Cheree', 'Ogunde', 'Miles Mode', 'Big Nick' among others ,just full of jams...) and was just mesmerized.
To me it has the same sort of aura(?), spirituality(?),beauty(?!) as both 'Acknowledgement' (a.k.a. 'A Love Supreme Part I ') and 'My Favorite Things'.
Yet its hardly ever mentioned.
Same goes for 'Your Lady' where the listener is on some trip, traveling on some wonderful journey being led by 'Trane', propelled by Jones, carried by Garrison and guided by Tyner.
On the LP of 'Live At Birdland' it was the final cut and as such seemed to be a fitting end for an interesting, joyful excursion. But before that was/is 'Alabama', a dark,foreboding, strange cut that broke down in the middle then started up again only to come to a somewhat unexpected and fearful climax.
Its been edited to a different but similar song this time around.A complete version is on the 'Jazz Casual' DVD.
'Alabama' was inspired by a KKK church bombing that killed four young black girls Down South one Sunday morning in 1963.
'Vilia' has been added this time around. when I bought this some fifteen years ago a different cut was added since "Live At Birdland" is such a short program.
In short: this is no CD to have just to flesh out your collection or just to show how cool you are.
Whether you're a die-hard Coltrane or jazz fan or not, once you slap this rascal on...from the opening notes of 'Afro Blue' to the last fading notes of 'Your Lady' ( I honestly can't completely recall what 'Vilia' sounds like) this sucker smokes.
I swear.
And while some folk may get a bit put off by the runs 'Trane blows toward the end of 'I Want To Tslk About You' even they'll have to admit all throughout this bad motherscorcher The John Coltrane Quartet keep doing it to death!
Hope this helps

THE QUARTET.......2006-01-10

I agree 100% with the following
A music fan
Of all the reasons I love this album, the one I would say most warrants checking it out is the piano solo on the first track, "Afro blue." Like most of the quartet's stuff, it isn't exactly one player that makes the music interesting, its just the interplay that makes these four guys seem like four different kinds of Koolaid being mixed up in a bucket. Elvin's playing on this track borders on insanity, and is my favorite piece of drumming on any jazz recording I've ever heard. this is about as hypnotic a solo as McCoy Tyner ever had in him, and it builds and builds to absolute Orgasm when John jumps in...chills will run down your spine, I promise....check it out

Elvin Jones and Coltrane.......2005-10-28

This has always been one of my favorite Coltrane albums because of the first 2 cuts Afro Blue and I Want To Talk About You. Elvin Jones' drumming of Afro Blue is ferocious and Coltrane's playing on the second cut is outstanding. The sound recording is not that good and Tyner's piano sounds out of tune. Still, a really nice album for those two pieces.

Average customer rating:

A great night for jazz
Pressure Cooker
Bebop transforms into hard bop
Hard Bop Genesis
My favourite Art-Blakey set

A Night at Birdland, Vol. 2
Art Blakey , Clifford Brown , and Horace Silver
Manufacturer: Blue Note Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Bebop General | Bebop | Jazz | Styles | Music

Hard Bop | Bebop | Jazz | Styles | Music

General | Jazz | Styles | Music

Bebop | Live Albums | Jazz | Styles | Music

General | Live Albums | Jazz | Styles | Music

Blue Note Records | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music

General | Jazz | Indie Music | Stores | Music

Bebop | Jazz | Indie Music | Stores | Music
Similar Items:

A Night at Birdland, Vol. 1
Study in Brown
Moanin'
Somethin' Else
A Night in Tunisia

ASIN: B00005MIZ9
Release Date: 2001-08-07

Tracks:

Wee-Dot
If I Had You
Quicksilver
Now's The Time
Confirmation
The Way You Look Tonight
Lou's Blues

Amazon.com

The second volume of recordings from this seminal hard-bop date (February 21, 1954) picks up where Volume 1 leaves off, and is no less thrilling. Trumpeter Clifford Brown positively smokes through "Wee-Dot" and a supercharged reworking of the standard "The Way You Look Tonight." Alto Lou Donaldson earns his "Sweet Papa Lou" moniker with a tender reading of "If I Had You," rippling off a flurry of notes without ever upsetting the gentle nature of the tune, and evidencing a strong Bird influence in the process. Speaking of Bird, the two closing tunes come from Parker's pen, most notably "Now's the Time," which here receives a superbly slowed-down and funked-up rendition. --Marc Greilsamer

Customer Reviews:

A great night for jazz.......2005-03-15

This second volume of the Art Blakey Quintet live at Birdland (2/21/54) is just as good as volume 1. Clifford Brown, alto man Lou Donaldson, Horace Silver, and Curly Russell join Blakey for some swinging hard bop performances. "Wee-dot" is a fast blues, as is "Lou's blues," which might be just a tad too frantic. All the playing is exceptional, though, on every track. Should be had with volume 1, and both CDs are must-have deals.

Pressure Cooker.......2005-01-22

Be careful folks, this one can scorch your knickers! Everyone here is in tip-top shape and there are times when this one is a full-blown show of pure firepower.

It also slows down nicely though when it does pull back to the mid and slow tempos. Actually the mid-tempo stuff here is my favorite. Lou Donaldson purely shines here. He really should be more well-known. His playing is an absolute joy from beginning to end and, at least for me, he is the true star of this release. Of course there is also no lack of material here to please the Clifford Brown crowd, either. Sometimes upper-register pyrotechnics types of trumpet players seem to kill my ears. It's not my most favored style, but I still can't help but marvel at the lines Brownie blows here. When listening to him, I get the feeling that audience members probably broke out into a sweat just from hearing and seeing him play.

Even though Jazz at Massey Hall (whether partial or the complete one) is often viewed as a high-water mark in bebop, I'd tend to go with this disc as a better example of what it's all about. The sonic quality of this recording is fuller, richer, and I just think the performance is better, too. This disc has hard-bop-lengthed solos, but bebop style and freneticism... along with the killer slower stuff, as I mentioned earlier.

Bebop transforms into hard bop.......2004-10-05

The second album produced of a concert done in 1953 at Birdland by Art Blakey, this is actually better than Volume 1, in my opinion. I'd give it 4 stars for material and soloing, but 5 for importance, because there are several things are interesting about this cd:

1. This was the first live recording ever made that is not bootleg, but recorded for the specific purpose of commercial release.

2. Art Blakey is known as the god of hard bop, but this is really a bebop album, with blistering tunes and elongated, flowing lines by all the soloists. But you can begin to sense the elements of hard bop coming in, especially with Clifford Brown's solos, so in this way this is a great historical document.

3. The line up of Brown, Blakey and Silver, the three fathers of hard bop, all playing on the same stage is just a joy.

The album is deffinitely worthwhile, as Clifford Brown and Horace Silver (who I've always loved as a composer but less as a soloist) contributing excellent solos, especially Silver on Quicksilver, and Brown on Now's the Time and especially Confirmation. Altoist Lou Donaldson is a solid, adept player in the Bird tradition. While not the equal of Brown, he has two nice moments early on: he steals the show on the tune Wee Dot, and of course is featured on the ballad If I had You. Art Blakey is as brillaint on the drums as always, rarely taking a solo but shining when he does. This really is jazz history right here, and thus EVERY jazz fan should have it, especially lovers of Blakey, Brown and Silver.

Hard Bop Genesis.......2001-12-19

This 1954 live recording is a momentous one in jazz history -- it's one of the first recordings in a style that would be known as hard bop. Blakey's quintet, a clear forerunner of his Jazz Messengers, approaches the classic bop style, mixes in some soul and gospel, and cranks up the energy. Art Blakey's turbocharged drumming, Horace Silver's funky, blues-drenched playing, and the formidable frontline of trumpet wizard Clifford Brown and Bird disciple Lou Donaldson set the mold for the style.

Highlights of Volume 2 are a blistering interpretation of the Kern-Fields classic "The Way You Look Tonight" and two Charlie Parker tunes, "Confirmation" and "Now's The Time". Clifford Brown really burns on these tunes. If you like this CD, be sure to buy Volume 1 as well as the two Bohemia recordings of Blakey a year later.

My favourite Art-Blakey set.......2001-08-15

These live recordings were the first jazz albums I ever bought. Now, after having listened to many more I still think that this live set is one of the most amazing recordings I have. The Art Blakey Quintet was in great form on that particular night, about 50 years ago. The material is bebop as well as early fast hardbop - a nice mix of classics and songs mainly by Horace Silver. I highly recommend this live set to anybody interested in jazz!

Average customer rating:

What can I say about this album...
Hard Bop 101
So much began here
This is it!!!
Two words: Clifford Brown

A Night at Birdland, Vol. 1
Art Blakey , Clifford Brown , and Horace Silver
Manufacturer: Blue Note Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Bebop General | Bebop | Jazz | Styles | Music

Hard Bop | Bebop | Jazz | Styles | Music

General | Jazz | Styles | Music

Bebop | Live Albums | Jazz | Styles | Music

General | Live Albums | Jazz | Styles | Music

Blue Note Records | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music

General | Jazz | Indie Music | Stores | Music

Bebop | Jazz | Indie Music | Stores | Music
Similar Items:

A Night at Birdland, Vol. 2
Moanin'
Study in Brown
A Night in Tunisia
Song for My Father

ASIN: B00005MIZ8
Release Date: 2001-08-07

Tracks:

Announcement By Pee Wee Marquette
Split Kick
Once In A While
Quicksilver
A Night In Tunisia
Mayreh
Wee-Dot (Alternate Take)
Blues (Improvisation)

Amazon.com essential recording

For all intents and purposes, the style of jazz known as hard bop came of age at this February 1954 live date from the famous New York club. By adding vibrant elements of blues, funk, soul, and gospel to the technically challenging and highly cerebral bebop form, hard bop became the dominant jazz style and to this day represents what is typically referred to as mainstream jazz. The lineup here resembles the '27 Yankees of the genre: trumpeter Clifford Brown was quickly becoming the red-hot alternative to Miles Davis's cool stylings (his work on the ballad "Once in a While" is worth the price of admission alone); pianist Horace Silver's driving, urgent sound epitomized the funky hard-bop aesthetic; alto Lou Donaldson and bassist Curly Russell had already graced countless essential recordings between them. From this seed grew three of the greatest hard-bop outfits in history: Blakey's Jazz Messengers, Silver's Quintet, and the Clifford Brown-Max Roach Quintet. This short-lived ensemble might have them all licked. For a complete snapshot of the Birdland event, pick up A Night at Birdland, Volume 2, easily on par with Birdland, Volume 1 for sheer artistry. --Marc Greilsamer

Customer Reviews:

What can I say about this album..........2007-03-09

that hasn't been said already? ...I can't think of anything. Simply awesome, would suggest it to anybody that enjoys Clifford Brown or Horace Silver or Art Blakey (in other words, any listener of jazz)

Hard Bop 101.......2007-03-05

This recording is worth five stars alone just to hear Mr. Clifford Brown's performance. No amount of hyperbole can do this man justice. He is simply the best. It is almost bittersweet hearing Brownie sound this great knowing that he had so many of these unbelievable performances still left in him before his untimely and tragic death. This is definitely one of my top five favorites of any album he ever did. This is also one of my top ten favorites of any live album period! It is an amazing performance by the whole group of all-stars - Lou Donaldson, Art Blakey, Horace Silver and Curly Russell.

If you are a fan of Clifford Brown then this is essential! If I was teaching a jazz class this would be the first album I would play to the class as an example of hard bop at it's absolute finest.

So much began here.......2006-11-14

If you love hardbop and/or Horace Silver and/or Art Blakey, you need this album. It is just a joy to hear the band setting the course that so many others would follow over the years.

This is it!!!.......2005-06-13

This CD, with its partner Volume 2, is one of the greatest live recordings of a club date in jazz history. The hard-driving Blakey with his best group ever; Brownie is incredible. And unlike a studio date, there are no retakes, no editing, just raw improvisation at the highest level.

Two words: Clifford Brown.......2005-05-15

Some of the best Trumpet playing I've ever heard is on this album. The entire band rocks - but Cliffor Brown is on fire. I've listened to all the greats - but nothing stands up like this!

Average customer rating:

The Anthology: Down in Birdland - Manhattan Transfer
Not yet
Material too diverse for a 2-CD set
Typical Collection
Good stuff! But if you like this, then you'll love LHR.

The Anthology: Down in Birdland
The Manhattan Transfer
Manufacturer: Atlantic / Wea
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Bebop General | Bebop | Jazz | Styles | Music

General | Jazz | Styles | Music

Vocal Jazz General | Vocal Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music

Vocalese | Vocal Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music

General | Pop | Styles | Music

General | Oldies | Pop | Styles | Music

General | Adult Contemporary | Pop | Styles | Music

General | Easy Listening | Pop | Styles | Music

General | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music

General | Rock | Styles | Music

Traditional Vocal Pop | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Swing
Bop Doo-Wopp
Mecca for Moderns
Vocalese
Tonin'

ASIN: B0000032VC
Release Date: 1992-10-13

Tracks:

Trickle Trickle
Gloria
Operator
Helpless
Ray's Rockhouse
Heart's Desire (Live Version)
Zindy Lou
Mystery
Baby Come Back To Me (The Morse Code Of Love)
Route 66
Java Jive
Chanson D'Amour
Foreign Affair
Smile Again
Spice Of Life
The Speak Up Mambo (Cuentame)
Soul Food To Go (Sina)
So You Say (Esquinas)
Boy From New York City
Twilight Zone/Twilight Tone

Tracks:

Four Brothers
Blee Blop Blues
Candy
A Gal In Calico
Love For Sale
On A Little Street In Singapore
Tuxedo Junction
That Cat Is High
Body And Soul
Meet Benny Bailey
Sing Joy Spring
To You
Down South Camp Meetin'
Until I Met You (Corner Pocket)
Why Not! (Manhattan Carnival)
Another Night In Tunisia
Capim
A Nightingale Sang In Berkeley Square
Birdland

Amazon.com

When Tim Hauser convened the original Manhattan Transfer in the early '70s, there was more than a whiff of camp to the vocal group's pre-rock pop perspective, but what may have started with tongue-in-cheek quickly shifted into an earnest (if still good-humored) mission--the preservation of closely-arranged choral pop. From their first mid-'70s hits forward, the Transfer has gone from strength to strength, extending their reach into r&b, jazz, Brazilian pop, and even the vocal equivalent of fusion. This first-rate two-CD package focuses on their long career at Atlantic Records, where they did their best work, and is correspondingly ripe with gorgeous group and solo vocals. --Sam Sutherland

Customer Reviews:

The Anthology: Down in Birdland - Manhattan Transfer.......2005-09-27

An album would have to be at the highest standard to warrant using Charlie Parker's moniker, and Manhattan Transfer have well and truly achieved that with this album. You will not hear crisper, cleaner harmonies. There are other groups and choirs that are as good, but none better.

The variety of music genres on this double album is very impressive; Jazz and Swing of course, Latin, Rock, Fusion, Soul and Folk, all performed with such skill, and in a manner true to the genre.

I saw Manhattan Transfer live recently, and wanted to buy one album that best decribed their work. I chose this album and was thoroughly pleased with the choice. If you like great music, and great harmonies, then this album will become one of your favourites.

Not yet.......2005-07-08

Up to now (July 7, 2005)I have not received this item that was ordered in June 7.

Material too diverse for a 2-CD set.......2002-04-05

An earlier reviewer was exactly right; the musical styles the MT have covered over the years are so diverse and all over the map that this anthology gives a hint of all of it but not a satisfying dose of any of it. Mind you, dear readers, that is not necessarily a criticism. The Transfer are the absolute masters of vocal harmonizing. Nobody, I mean NOBODY does it better (makes you feel sad for the rest). But just as you are settling in to listening to some of their swing jazz or doo-wop, the track selection changes gears on you and you are hearing Brazilian music or any one of a half dozen other styles. This collection is scratch on the surface of their vast and very impressive catalog, but if this is your introduction to them then you are only getting a teasing glimpse. There may not be enough tracks of the style(s) you like best to sustain your interest in the entire collection, even though it is all good. There is just so much ground being covered that the breadth of it all overshadows the depth of the individual records in their catalog. (Did that make sense or was I just being too wordy again?)
For those of us who are already MT fans and have most or all of their back catalog, the absolute BEST reason to buy this anthology is for the booklet insert. It provides a relatively thorough timeline history of the group, and extensive track-by-track notes on all the tunes, down to the musicians who played on them, and much more.

Typical Collection.......2001-10-18

If there's a problem with the Manhatten Transfer, it's the variety in their material. Although they are generally thought of as a vocal/swing/jazz combo, they've delved into other styles as well. The anthology includes some vocal jazz classics (Four Brothers, Tuxedo Junction, Route 66, Until I Met You), but also slides into pop (Boy from New York City, Twilight Zone), Latin samba (The Speak Up Mambo, Soul Food to Go). The stylistic variations present make the collection a difficult listen. Most of the songs are great, no doubt about it. But there's a troubling lack of continuity. I admit this is a problem many anthology albums suffer. In the case of the Transfer, it's a more significant problem due to the variety of material they've covered. For the unknowing, this isn't a bad start. Others may wish to acquire the individual albums.

Good stuff! But if you like this, then you'll love LHR........2000-07-19

I fell in love with the Transfer as a teenager in the '70s and thought they were the most unique thing going. What I found out later though was that the true artists of "vocalese" are Lambert, Hendricks, and Ross. If you like MT you should definitely give Lambert, Hendricks, and Ross a spin. They started in the 50's and were truly a high wire act.

Average customer rating:

One Of The Most Tastless Albums He Ever Recorded!!!!!

The Birdland Dream Band
Maynard Ferguson
Manufacturer: Bmg Int'l
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Canada | North America | International | Styles | Music

Bebop General | Bebop | Jazz | Styles | Music

Hard Bop | Bebop | Jazz | Styles | Music

General | Jazz | Styles | Music

Smooth Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music

Jazz | Imports | Stores | Music
Similar Items:

M.F. Horn, Vol. 1
New Sound of Maynard Ferguson
Maynard Ferguson
M.F.Horn 2 & The Ballad Style of Maynard Ferguson
Band Ain't Draggin'

ASIN: B00005TOXR
Release Date: 2002-01-22

Tracks:

The Wailing Boat
Somebody Wants Me Down There
Maynard The Fox
Blue Birdland
Great Guns
Lady Bug
More West
Still Water Stomp
That Jones Boy
Rosebud
Button Nose
Little Girl Kimbi
Blue Birdland (Alternate Take) (Bonus Track)
Lady Bug (Alternate Take) (Bonus Track)
Lady Bug (Alternate Take) (Bonus Track)
Still Water Stomp (Alternate Take) (Bonus Track)
Still Water Stomp (Alternate Take) (Bonus Track)
Rosebud (Alternate Take) (Bonus Track)
Rosebud (Alternate Take) (Bonus Track)
Little Girl Kimbi (Alternate Take) (Bonus Track)
Little Girl Kim (Alternate Take) (Bonus Track)

Album Description

24-bit remastered reissue of 1956 album includes nine bonus tracks, previously unissued alternate takes of 'Blue Birdland', 'Lady Bug', 'Still Water Stomp', 'Rosebud', 'Little Girl Kimbi' (Alternate Version) & 'Little Girl Kim'. Digipak.

Album Details

Digitally Remastered Issue of the First Album (Originally Released in 1957) from the Band Assembled by Legendary Jazz Trumpeter Maynard Ferguson of Musicians that He Used to Lead for 14 Weeks Out the Year at the Great New York Venue. Includes Eight Bonus Alternate Takes that Did Not Appear on the Original Edition.

Customer Reviews:

One Of The Most Tastless Albums He Ever Recorded!!!!!.......2005-01-18

Wow! This is one of the most tastless album recordings Maynard has ever recorded!!!!! Ferguson's Double High "C's" are just EVIL! It sounds like Maynard is going to split the bell of his trumpet in half!! Wow! This album has some of the tastiest arrangements and playing Maynard has ever recorded! HIGHLY RECOMENDED!!!!! This album is second to the MOST tastless song Maynard ever recorded Jerome Kern's "All The Things You Are!" Kenton was even sued by Kern himself for what he called Ferguson's [...]-ization of his song! HA! HA! DIG SOME OF THIS MAN!

Average customer rating:

Lullabies of Birdland
Ella Fitzgerald
Manufacturer: Verve
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Jazz | Styles | Music

Swing General | Swing Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music

Traditional Jazz General | Traditional Jazz & Ragtime | Jazz | Styles | Music

Vocal Jazz General | Vocal Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music

Traditional Vocal Pop | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music

General | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music

Traditional Pop | Oldies | Pop | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Sweet and Hot
Love, Ella
We All Love Ella: Celebrating the First Lady of Song
Surrender
110 in the Shade (2007 Broadway Revival Cast)

ASIN: B000NA6MTK
Release Date: 2007-06-05

Tracks:

Lullaby Of Birdland
Rough Ridin'
Angel Eyes
Smooth Sailing
Oh, Lady Be Good!
Later
Ella Hums the Blues
How High the Moon?
Basin Street Blues
Air Mail Special
Flying Home

Average customer rating:

Can jazz be any better?
Awesome CD
A Really Stunning Record
Same good old Holland
Better than sex!

Extended Play: Live at Birdland
Dave Holland Quintet
Manufacturer: Ecm Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Avant Garde & Free Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music

General | Jazz | Styles | Music

Modern Postbebop | Jazz | Styles | Music

Modern Postbebop | Live Albums | Jazz | Styles | Music

General | Live Albums | Jazz | Styles | Music

General | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music

ECM Classical | ECM Records | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music

ECM Jazz & World | ECM Records | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music
Similar Items:

Overtime
Critical Mass
Prime Directive
What Goes Around
Conference of the Birds

ASIN: B0000A9DYQ
Release Date: 2003-08-26

Tracks:

The Balance
High Wire
Juggler Parade
Make Believe
Free For All

Tracks:

Claressence
Prime Directive
Bedouin Trail
Metamorphos

Amazon.com

Having convinced many people that they are the finest working group in jazz in the studio, the Dave Holland Quintet here bids to convince those who haven't seen them live--and those who have--that they're the best working group anywhere. Taking advantage of the rare opportunity to document themselves in performance in full, expansive flight--the pieces push the standard envelope at 10 and 15 and 20 minutes, across two discs--the band shows off the heady sense of interaction they have developed during their years together. Veteran bassist Holland, who drew acclaim for his first big band effort, breaks down his original themes with surgical precision, maintaining a sharp edge with driving unison lines, geometric divisions, and full-bodied solos by saxophonist Chris Potter, trombonist Robin Eubanks (who steals the show) and vibraphonist Steve Nelson. Whenever the resolutions get too neat, drummer Billy Kilson restores their power with his explosive drumming. --Lloyd Sachs

Customer Reviews:

Can jazz be any better?.......2006-12-04

After listening to this cd over and over again for quite sometime now, I'm still impressed by these 5 tremedous musicians. This is musicmaking of the highest order and anyone with a liking of jazz could safely add this to their collection. You will not be dissapointed

Awesome CD.......2006-04-28

This CD is just an unbelievable CD. This is the best CD that Dave Holland and his crew have ever put out so far. My favorite part of the CD is Robin Eubanks and Chris Potter soloing together. The quintet has so much energy when it needs to be loud and knows when to be quiet, if you listen to jazz this is a must own. Even if you don't listen to jazz you should try buying this album, it will open up your mind to what music is really all about instead of listening to brain-numbing pop music being replayed. This album makes most pop music sound terrible. My favorite music album ever.

A Really Stunning Record.......2006-04-05

The downside of this CD set is that it will spoil a lot of other music for you including other Dave Holland CD's. When this group first recorded "Prime Directive" in the studio, it was a really nice piece of music. In this recording, "Prime Directive" will lift you out of your chair. At least three other pieces in this set will do the same.

The musicians are in top form, the format allows for long solos, the live audience knows they are hearing something very special. Absolutely buy this music.

Same good old Holland.......2005-12-31

I have rated this release from Dave Holland Quintet five stars like all the enthusiastic reviewers that wrote before me. In this manner I express clearly my high consideration for this quintet, this music and Dave Holland as an exceptional musician and band leader. I suggest the purchase of this double album because it's great. Nevertheless I want to express my opinion which I don't know how many of you would agree with. I mean .. ok this band is great and this Jazz too, it's a post modern free jazz that personally I find attractive and that interest me. I own almost all Dave's album. But I have to say that I can't hear all that evolution in Dave's music. If you take the music Dave played with his combo in the eighties (Steve Coleman, Robin Eubanks, Kenny Wheeler, Marvin Smitty Smith or with the other band he had with Kevin Eubanks and without Wheeler in the album "Extensions") it was more or less this same stuff. Ok it's great stuff, great Jazz (and I love it, you can be sure) but why all this enthusiasm? It seems as it was the first album with this free Holland stuff around.. Maybe some guys, some reviewers here don't know Dave's previous recordings. I don't know. Dave play this music since 20 years ago, and maybe more. You can go to "Conference of the Birds" and you can find almost this same music. This quintet is more or less on the same level (very high) of the other Holland's quintet or quartet he had in the past. And if I had to express a personal preference even if I really love what Potter played here, I still love Steve Coleman more than him, so I prefer that combo to this one. A lot of people here pointed out the (truly exceptional) drum work from Billy Kilson. He plays great, absolutly, he is really creative drummer, but Marvin Smitty Smith? What about him? Wasn't he spectacular? I don't find Kilson superior to Smith! Smith is probably one of my all time favourite drummers so... I have to say that I prefer two guys from the old DHQ to two elements which are in this band. But these are only personal preferences of course and we're talking about exceptional musicians all the way so .. and I don't want to end my review with something that seem unfair to this band. I simply wanted to say that this album didn't surprised me as it seems happened with some guys here. Dave has always had fantastic bands and musicians and simply this Dave's music has been around since "Conference..". Anyway. This is a fantastic group of musicians with one of the best band leader around (and bassist, don't forget) and they play a sort of free Jazz which is particular, but very very interesting music. I suggest this album to everyone which is into post-bop, free Jazz, maybe together with "Seeds of time", The razor's edge" and "Extensions" still from Dave's catalogue. "What goes around" it has been another fantastic, exceptional release that you can buy with confidence if you'll love "Extended play".

Better than sex!.......2005-10-16

Damn. Just buy it. Just go right now and buy this CD. There are no words to describe this cd other than that it totally kicks ass. This is the kind of music that makes you stare dumbfounded at your stereo speakers. What? you will say. Is this real? and then you will smile, lay your head on a pillow and have the best time of your life. Dave--you and the guys are incredible.

Average customer rating:

Maynard still ROCKS!
Pretty good, Maynard still has it for sure!
Pretty good, Maynard still has it for sure!
What a terrible review below.
Maynard sounds terrible!

One More Trip to Birdland
Maynard Ferguson & Big Bop Nouveau
Manufacturer: Concord Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Bebop General | Bebop | Jazz | Styles | Music

Hard Bop | Bebop | Jazz | Styles | Music

General | Jazz | Styles | Music

Smooth Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music

General | Jazz | Indie Music | Stores | Music
Similar Items:

These Cats Can Swing
Brass Attitude
The Birdland Dream Band
Storm
Maynard Ferguson

ASIN: B0000006Q8
Release Date: 1996-09-10

Tracks:

You Got It
Manteca
The Vibe
Cajun Cookin'
Milestones
She Was Too Good To Me
Birdland
Blues From Around Here
It Don't Mean A Thing If It Ain't Got That Swing

Customer Reviews:

Maynard still ROCKS!.......2005-03-03

This has become one of the most prized CD's in my collection. One quick correction of a previous reviewer : Larry Foyen does not play lead on this CD, Scott Englebright does. And man, does he have the chops! This whole album is nicely woven and tightly played, with plenty of stratospheric trumpet for the true Maynard enthusiast. Scotty is one of the very best lead players MF has ever had, even going back to the Stan Mark days. Sorry Matt Wallace, but I could do without "She was too good to me" and the bad vocals, but the rest of this compilation is A ++. And at 70 + years old, all I can say is.. You GO, Maynard!

Pretty good, Maynard still has it for sure!.......2003-09-28

*Special Note: I'm reposting this under my own name since the original was mistakenly posted under a different one, I did in fact write this review myself. My mistake for putting in the wrong name.*

Maynard has to be the coolest Canadian ever. Such an enthusiastic player, even at age sixty-eight, when this performance was done. "You Got It" is a pretty nice opener, it's energetic to say the least. However, the best performance on the album is easily the following track (in my opinion) Dizzy Gillespie's "Manteca". What a great rendition, Maynard goes absolutely nuts! There is also great trombone and alto saxophone soloing. "The Vibe" is a hint at laid-back Maynard, he plays with a flugelhorn here and sounds nice, using his upper register effectively in the places it's best suited to be. "Cajun Cookin'" is a cool Denis DeBlasio arragement but honestly I'm not really wild about it. It's nice but not my favorite. The chart of "Milestones" was the huge disappointment, however. I had played through this chart and loved it, but this recording was sub-par. The saxophone solo is too long and Maynard should've done a lot more with this tune than the short harmon mute solo and screaming at the end. I expected a lot more. However, the lacking of the "do" at the end is great, look at the liner notes for reference on that. Matt Wallace also comes up with a nice vocal on "She Was Too Good To Me", and the trumpet section comes with some nice screaming headed by Larry Foyen. The new "Birdland" is decent, although not on the level of the original, but you have to love the ESPN Sportscenter ending. "Blues From Around Here" is a classic. The whole band swings like crazy on this tune, which sounds like it's based on the changes to "Watermelon Man". Maynard goes crazy on here, and Don Zank swings on piano. The performance ends with a fast remake of "It Don't Mean A Thing", the famous Duke Ellington classic. This was a good way to end the album.

Overall, if you're a Maynard fan, this is one that is worth picking up. Maynard is playing amazingly well, especially for someone of his age. Whoever said he sounded terrible is totally wrong! I'll admit Maynard had some tone trouble on Live In London but none here. However, as an overall product, this album is not as good as Live In London, in my opinion. However, these are both worthy buys. If you're new to Maynard, get acquainted with some of his work with the Kenton band, and then some of his 60's and 70's bands.

Pretty good, Maynard still has it for sure!.......2003-09-25

What a terrible review below........2003-05-01

This is a spectacular album and to think that it is live is that much more impressive. The man is now 75 and still tours and does "alright" with his band Big Bop Nouveau. I saw him at a show where all the trumpet players came out into the audience and Maynard followed suit only to blow them all away with his fat, screaming tone. Maynard always was, still is, and always will be the man. By the way that show was last year. So if you like a really good band with a really good leader this is a must have.

Maynard sounds terrible!.......2003-02-14

Too bad Maynard Ferguson didn't stop recording back in the 70's. His solos sound the same on every single track on this recording "One More Trip to Birdland". His tone is terrible! Too many years of playing in the stratosphere. I am reluctant to give this recording any stars, however, Maynard has an extremely talented band behind him. Too bad Maynard wouldn't let them play more - and consider retiring. Sorry, Maynard, your music with Stan Kenton is amazing - however this album was not worth my money!

Don Shirley Plays Birdland Lullabies/Don Shirley Plays Show Tunes

Average customer rating:

Excellent

Don Shirley Plays Birdland Lullabies/Don Shirley Plays Show Tunes
Don Shirley
Manufacturer: Collectables
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Jazz | Styles | Music

General | Jazz | Indie Music | Stores | Music
Similar Items:

Don Shirley Plays Love Songs/Don Shirley Trio
Golden Classics
Don Shirley Plays Gershwin/Don Shirley Plays Standards
Solos/Don Shirley With 2 Basses
Pianist Extraordinary/Piano Arrangements of Famous Spirituals

ASIN: B000055YSS
Release Date: 2001-01-16

Tracks:

Lullaby Of Birdland
Makin' Whoopee
Blues In B Flat
I Can't Give You Anything But Love
How High The Moon
Walkin' My Baby Back Home
Body And Soul
Honeysuckle Rose

Tracks:

My Funny Valentine
Love For Sale
Bewitched
September Song
Dancing On The Ceiling
New Faces: Medley: Love Is A Simple Thing/I'm In Love With Miss Logan/Monotonous/Bal Petit Bal...
And This Is My Beloved
Blue Moon

Customer Reviews:

Excellent.......2001-02-11

While there is some duplication on this CD set from other CDs issued in recent years by this label, those hungry for anything new or old from Don Shirley will be more than pleased to add this to their collections. I was particularly taken with the opening cut, "Lullaby of Birdland," which starts out with a classical music interpretation then eases into fabulous jazz. Dr. Shirley has an amazing and unique genius for music; he plays from the soul. No album ever issued on his work is less than outstanding, and this CD is no exception to that.

Music Review:

Music Review

Music Review