The selections on JRR were interesting but I have to ay that the Herman track wasn't too bad. Taken in context, I did not mind it and it was interesting to hear the young Joe Lovano. The Evan Parker trio did suggest Jimmy Guiffre to me.
The most intriguing track was the Lucky Millinder record. I am fascinated by this band which evolved out of the Mills Blue Rhythm Band of the 1930s which Millinder led at one point. I have a double CD by this band which was worth the money for three tracks . (Apollo Jump, Mason Flyer and Little John Special) In my opinion, these three tracks are sensational and outline was a terrific band this was as well as nicely demonstrating just how influential Basie was in the mid forties. they are magical records for me , a bit like Ellington's Blanton era recordings, the Decca Basie recordings, Andy Kirk and McKCP whose music I really love and amongst my absolute favourite jazz records. Hearing Gillespie solo on these tracks is like being taken to a special place within the music - it feels like Dizzy's trumpet is kicking down the door towards the future of jazz. However, the band also made a number of excellent records with Sister Rosetta Tharpe which are also worth seeking out. The odd thing about this band is that the bulk of the repertoire is R n' B - some of which is OK. You get the notion that be bop was the main musical direction in the late 40s but I think it is only half the story as jazz also went in another direction. It isn't too difficult to draw a line between Millinder and Rock n' Roll in the 1950s. I just find it strange that Millinder gets over-looked when people write about Rock and that there is a failure to recognise that it was bands like Millinder's which propagated this music.
It is fair to say that there is a fall off in the standard of Millinder's recordings and that it is equally true that many people have said the band never managed to capture it's ability in the studio. I would love to know if there are other instrumental arrangement associated with this band and where are they? Given that two of the tracks feature some scorching trumpet solos by Dizzy Gillespie , you are left by thinking what might have been. I think Apollo, Flyer and Special are amongst the most exciting big band records made in the 1940's. Shame that nothing else ever came close to these records even if the commercial stuff does have it's charm.
The most intriguing track was the Lucky Millinder record. I am fascinated by this band which evolved out of the Mills Blue Rhythm Band of the 1930s which Millinder led at one point. I have a double CD by this band which was worth the money for three tracks . (Apollo Jump, Mason Flyer and Little John Special) In my opinion, these three tracks are sensational and outline was a terrific band this was as well as nicely demonstrating just how influential Basie was in the mid forties. they are magical records for me , a bit like Ellington's Blanton era recordings, the Decca Basie recordings, Andy Kirk and McKCP whose music I really love and amongst my absolute favourite jazz records. Hearing Gillespie solo on these tracks is like being taken to a special place within the music - it feels like Dizzy's trumpet is kicking down the door towards the future of jazz. However, the band also made a number of excellent records with Sister Rosetta Tharpe which are also worth seeking out. The odd thing about this band is that the bulk of the repertoire is R n' B - some of which is OK. You get the notion that be bop was the main musical direction in the late 40s but I think it is only half the story as jazz also went in another direction. It isn't too difficult to draw a line between Millinder and Rock n' Roll in the 1950s. I just find it strange that Millinder gets over-looked when people write about Rock and that there is a failure to recognise that it was bands like Millinder's which propagated this music.
It is fair to say that there is a fall off in the standard of Millinder's recordings and that it is equally true that many people have said the band never managed to capture it's ability in the studio. I would love to know if there are other instrumental arrangement associated with this band and where are they? Given that two of the tracks feature some scorching trumpet solos by Dizzy Gillespie , you are left by thinking what might have been. I think Apollo, Flyer and Special are amongst the most exciting big band records made in the 1940's. Shame that nothing else ever came close to these records even if the commercial stuff does have it's charm.
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