Billy May – Big Fat Brass (1957)

Artist: Billy May
Title Of Album: Big Fat Brass
Release Date: Dec 11, 2001
Recording Data: June, 1958 at Capitol Studios, Hollywood, CA
Label: Capitol / Catalog # T 1043
Genre: Jazz / Swing
Quality: FLAC (Tracks+Log+Cue+Covers+Info)
Bitrate: Lossless
Total Time: 00:32:53
Total Size: 180 MB (Recovery 6%)

*****

Track List:

01. Brassmen’s Holiday (Armengol) 2:32
02. Autumn Leaves (Kosma, Mercer, Prevert) 2:58
03. Love Is the Thing (Washington, Young) 2:18
04. Ping Pong (May) 2:15
05. Moonlight Becomes You (Burke, VanHeusen) 2:18
06. Pawn Ticket (Bryant) 2:20
07. Solving the Riddle (Cavanaugh, May) 2:25
08. Invitation (Kaper, Webster) 2:56
09. The Continental (Conrad, Magidson) 2:25
10. Return of the Zombie (Haven, Spencer) 2:45
11. On a Little Street in Singapore (DeRose, Hill) 2:09
12. Jooms Jones (May) 2:51

*****
Personnel:

Billy May (Arranger/Conductor);
Conrad Gozzo, Frank Beach, John Best, Uan Rasey, Pete Candolli, Manny Klein (Trumpets);
Si Zentner, Tommy Pederson, Ed Kusby, George Roberts (Trombones);
Vice de Rosa, Jack Cave, Jimmy Decker, Dick Perissi, Art Franz (French Horns);
Red Callender, Vlarance Karella (Tubas);
Veryle Mills (Harp);
Paul Smith (Piano);
Al Hendrickson (Guitar);
Joe Mondragon, Ralph Penner (Bass);
Alvin Stoller (Drums);
Lou Singer, Ralph Hansell (Percussion).

*****

BIG FAT BRASS;
Is not only Billy May’s best album but is also one of the finest, if not THE finest, brass albums ever made. It also won the 1958 grammy for best instrumental performance; no mean feat considering the overall excellence of jazz/popular music produced during that period. It is an unconventional, watershed album that solidified May as an arranger of uncommon savvy and sensibilities.
BIG FAT BRASS personnel were the cream of the crop of Hollywood musicians, including the likes of Conrad Gozzo, Si Zentner, Manny Klein among many others. Fortunately May also utilized his regular superb rhythm section of Paul Smith, piano; Joe Mondragon, bass; Al Hendrickson, guitar; and the always impeccable Alvin Stoller on drums. There was also a percussion section giving added color.
The tunes are uniformly excellent with the rousing BRASSMEN’S HOLIDAY starting the proceedings. Also outstanding is the relentless martial beat of RETURN OF THE ZOMBIE, impressive in its power and swagger and an almost mystical ON A LITTLE STREET IN SINGAPORE. There is also what I consider THE definitive version of INVITATION (hear for yourself!). One of my favorites is JOOM JOOMS, a fine showcase for the smooth brass ensemble and May’s unstoppable sense of humor. Ted Ulrich

*****

www.Narod.ru

Please Login or Register to view this content

www.rapidshare.com

Please Login or Register to view this content

пароль | password: jazzclub