Search - Pat Longo's Super Big Band featuring Frank Sinatra Jr. :: Billy May for President

Partial Big Band Re-issue

Tad Ulrich | Los Angeles, CA United States | 10/12/2002

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Basically, this is a reissue of a 1991 cd titled "Here's That Swing Thing" by Pat Longo. This effort, though, contains only 10 of the original 19 tracks previously released. It's anyone's guess as to why nine tracks were omitted here.This outing contains some first rate big band jazz ala Billy May format, meaning sparse soloing and tight ensemble work. In addition to May, who does the arranging for the Sinatra tracks, the arrangers include Bill Armstrong, Gordon Brisker and Sammy Nestico.Standout performances include "Come What May", "Thin Man Boogie", "Joyful Junction" and "Here's That Swing Thing",(non May arrangements) with Sinatra singing his heart out on "Fortune in Dreams." Unfortunately, this CD misses some equally fine performances of "Sweet Georgia Brown", "Theme: Super Big Band", and "Lullabye of Bigfoot" among several others, released on the previous cd.Some of the sidemen include Pete Cristlieb, Bill Perkins, Lew McCreary, Buddy Childers, Nat Pierce and Nick Ceroli among others. They are not necessarily household names, but excellent musicians nonetheless.Lovers of tight, well rehearsed and swinging modern big band jazz won't be disappointed with this welcome reissue, despite the regrettable omissions."