Alvin with rabies
smurdge | 05/17/2004
(3 out of 5 stars)
"Despite using the services of some well-known jazz musicians, these guys are more in studio mode than jazz mode. Most of the tunes sound like TV show or movie soundtrack cues with some jazz influence but little or no improvisation. It's melodic, well played, and generally much more relaxed than the Scott Quintette pieces from the 30s. Consider it Scott's version of bachelor pad music or whatever they're calling it this year. Toots Thielemans, playing harmonica, is the star, sounding especially nice on "Over the Rainbow".Then there are those vocal tracks. Dorothy Collins, (Scott's wife at the time and a singing star on "Your Hit Parade"), sings on two songs. Her vocals are double-speeded, like the chipmunks, but sung very intensely, like her head is going to explode. It sounds like Alvin with rabies. It's actually pretty funny in a deranged kind of way, and it's reassuring to know that Scott never stopped being a little bit loony.It's great that Basta continues to document Scott's music with these reissues. Please do more- he was a true original."
Suprise! The Mystery is Solved . . .
RexopoLus | here, there, & everywhere | 05/04/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"* * * * * * *In 1959, Raymond Scott assembled an anonymous all-star band and dubbed them "The Secret Seven." With this group of top jazz musicians he recorded THE UNEXPECTED album in January of 1960. For nearly 45 years the identity of the Secret Seven line-up has remained a mystery, but now you can learn the identity of Raymond Scott's all-star jazz band by visiting a "secret" webpage whose location is revealed in the CD booklet...
This is another CD in Basta's Essential Reissue series, complete with original liner notes, cover artwork, and a newly-prepared booklet featuring historical info and previously unpublished photos...
Correct TRACK LIST:
1. Waltz of the Diddles
2. Temptation
3. And the Cow Jumped Over the Moon
4. A Message from Where
5. In the Beginning
6. Someone to Watch Over Me
7. March of the Diddles
8. Night and Day
9. And the Dish Ran Away With the Spoon
10. Quiet Entrance
11. Jill
12. Over the Rainbow
* * * * * * *"
Track Listings (12) - Disc #1
