Search - Thad Jones & Mel Lewis :: Live at the Village Vanguard

Big Band Greatness

C.A. Arthur | Tacoma, Washington | 07/02/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is a landmark jazz album, presenting one of the great big bands of all-time. Composed of the cream of New York jazz musicians, the Thad Jones/Mel Lewis band featured the inspired writing of Jones and the driving, swinging-like-hell drums of Lewis. The repetoire was limited--most of these selections can be found elsewhere, notably the Village Vanguard Live Sessions #3 and the album Potpourri. But if you lack these, you'll want this. First class in every way.



I saw the band several times at the Village Vanguard, where it played on Monday nights. It was simply thrilling."

Smokin' Live 1967 Big Band

Original Mixed Up-Kid | New York United States | 01/01/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"A great Jazz Orchestra with spirit and class laying down some exciting performance.

We have here the presence of Thad Jones on coronet and his co-leader Mel Lewis on drums with a band of about 20 including trombones,sax,flute,clarinet,piano,bass and guitar playing some extraordinary music in total elegance.

The songs performed here are fast in tempo,medium in tempo,total swing,stomp,even a Fats Waller song and a Latin Jazz Romp..there are also 3 bonus tracks adding another 20 minutes of playing time, a nice cover of Lover Man and 2 Thad Jones originals which were not part of the original LP all here in 24 bit remastered glory."

Live Jones and Lewis cook like they should

Eric C. Sedensky | Madison, AL, US | 12/31/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I'm a freak when it comes to big band music, and this one has been getting a lot of play time lately, and will be one of the CD's I pull out more frequently than others. Ever since I first heard Consummation, I've been an evangelist for Thad Jones and Mel Lewis. This CD actually predates that one and shows a little more how the band was coming into its own. Jones' familiar arranging style is demonstrated more clearly, and the band takes a lot of melodic and harmonic chances. Lewis' boosting of one of the great swing feels of the modern big band era continues to form the framework around which the music, talent and fun all come together. The results are particularly pronounced on the rousing Bachafillen, the sassy Don't Get Sassy, and the Latin number Samba Con Getchu. Even though this is a live recording, the sound quality is good and there are no distractions caused by the live setting. The liner notes are detailed and generous and break down the action song by song, always a plus for any student of jazz (like me). This recording has been serving as my lifeline to reality as I have tangled with City of Glass: Stan Kenton Plays Bob Graettinger, and Jones and Lewis have really been there for me, reminding us of all of the advantages of having that big sound and how good jazz sounds when it is supported so solidly. While I don't think this is quite as good as Consummation, I still give it five stars for illuminating this great band earlier in their collaboration. Any fan of big band music should add this CD to their collection. Any fan of jazz should too.

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