Search - Harry James :: Today

"Don't Go to Sleep on Harry James..."

Tad Ulrich | Los Angeles, CA United States | 11/03/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

""...he's a bad dude!" - Clark Terry



That quote is taken from the first lines of the liner notes to this incredibly wonderful cd package from an incredible trumpet master in his own right.



Yeeoza! I've been waiting for this reissue for a looong time. It features two of the finest swing oriented big band albums ever made, "Today" and "Harry James Plays Neal Hefti." It also features three superb bonus cuts from "The Spectacular Sound of Harry James." These albums were all recorded around the same time frame of February 1960 to March 1961, right around the peak of Harry James best big band sound.



This cd package is first rate all the way with complete player personnel, recording dates and track times and lots of neat photos. Complete original liner notes are supplemented by informative new liners. The remastered sound is superb and in stereo. Apparently the original masters have been well preserved over the millenia.



Musically, the James band here just jumps 'n wails. Many folks have considered Harry James the greatest trumpeter of all time. After listening to this album you will have little reason to doubt it. And one of the most distinctive alto sax voices of all time is here as well, Willy Smith.



"Today" features excellent bluesy efforts like "End of Town Blues" and a rousing flag waver like "Lester Leaps In" which features Harry building a dynamic solo to a rousing finale. Arranger, Ernie Wilkins gives a lesson on how to methodically develop a medium tempo tune to a rousing conclusion on "Ensemble" which feature the band without any solos.



If you've liked Neal Hefti's arrangements for the Basie band you will not be disappointed with the second album. My personal favorites are the up tempo "Harry, Not Jesse" "The Creeper" and "Hot Pink. Much the same personnel are featured on this album as on the "Today" effort.



The bonus cuts feature an already famous reading of "The Jazz Connoisseur" a nice rendition of "Lover man", and concludes the cd with one of my personal James favorites, a marvelous Wilkins arrangement of an up tempo "Connectin' the Bones." After the trumpet section charges in with its break, James bursts in for his solo with such power as to take your breath away. The man had mad chops!



Overall, Jazz Beat has created a first rate, quality cd package befitting of such great recordings. I'm not usually one to hand out five star ratings willy nilly, but if you like driving, superbly played big band jazz this cd is simply a must have."

Harry James' Best Period

John M. Gamble Jr. | Charleston, SC | 01/14/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Harry James - Today is a fantastic CD. Most of the selections on this CD were recorded in 1960 AND 1961 and in my opinion, Harry's band during this period was one of his best. Also, many of the arrangements were by Neal Hefti and Ernie Wilkins, two of the absolute best of all time. The band swings throughout, and Harry's performance demonstrates why he is considered to be one of the top trumpet virtuosos in the history of jazz. You can't go wrong on this one."

Harry At The Top Of His Game

Robert J. Usher | The Real World | 01/04/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"And he was, when these albums were recorded. Just listen to the wonderful arrangements by Ernie Wilkens, Bob Florence, and Neal Hefti. Played to perfection by the likes of Willy Smith, Sam Firmature, Ray Sims, Tony DiNicola, Jack Perciful, and so many more. But it is James himself who truly shines on these sides. To all those jazz and artistic critics who routinely dismissed James because of his commercial success in the '40's, this album says, in no uncertain terms, "up yours". This album is the second of a series of old MGM reissues of James material. One more is needed: how about a combo of "Double Dixie" and "Solid Gold Trumpet"??



























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