Search - Bill Watrous :: Tiger of San Pedro

A sequel at least as good as the original

James A. Vedda | Alexandria, VA USA | 09/03/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Bill Watrous proved that his successful 1974 release "Manhattan Wildlife Refuge" was no fluke by producing this outstanding album a year later. Once again we find great arrangements, superb solo work, and an ensemble even tighter than on their previous outing, if that's possible.

The band kicks into high gear with "Dirty Dan" (featuring Danny Stiles on trumpet), "The Tiger of San Pedro," "T.S., T.S.," and my favorite of the up-tempo tunes, "Sweet Georgia Upside Down." The band's seductive ballad sound is displayed in "Quiet Lady" and "Somewhere Along the Way." "Passion at Three O'Clock" is an interesting piece, over eight minutes long, that starts out mellow and changes to straight-ahead swing after about two and a half minutes.

This is an excellent example of the work of this virtuoso trombonist early in his career, a foreshadowing of great things to come. Be sure to check out other recordings available from his more than three decades of productivity."

BIG BAND SOUNDS FROM THE 70'S

COMPUTERJAZZMAN | Cliffside Park, New Jersey United States | 10/01/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I HAD THIS LP WHEN IT CAME OUT IN THE MID '70'S, I AM VERY GLAD IT IS FINALLY AVAILABLE ON CD AFTER ALL THIS TIME. BILL WATROUS IS A PHENOMENAL TROMBONE PLAYER. THIS IS A GREAT BIG BAND ALBUM IF YOU LIKE THE MODERN BIG BAND SOUNDS OF BUDDY RICH AND MAYNARD FERGUSON, THEN YOU WILL DEFINITELY ENJOY THIS RELEASE AS WELL."

Still excites the listenerstill exciting to listen

z9z9 | florida | 10/17/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"still exciting to listen to wish watrous would rerecord with today's sound , his playing is extroadinary !!"