Search - Randy Brooks :: The Issued Recordings: 1945-1947

Oh! Gosh Almighty big band fans, true greatness right here!

tomfrompennsylvania | Greater Philadelphia | 06/23/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I was about to give up hope that Randy Brooks scintillating 1947 legendary long-player, that was entitled "Trumpet Moods" would ever see the light of CD-reissue day, but so it has finally, and thank Heavens. A day for big band fans to rejoice, to see all of it included here on CD, including "Tenderly" which has been on a lot of folks most-wanted for CD treatment list, and a version of "Harlem Nocturne" to kill for, plus additional studio gems. Yes, this is the real stuff, the STUDIO (! ) recordings of the late trumpeter whose sound was almost more beautiful than one could hope for. Like aging WWII veterans almost, those who loved the big bands so much that they followed them closely even in the waning Victory Era which this music comes from, who would know Brooks' music, may be so far and few between anymore, and additionally with this finally coming so late in the CD re-issue era even for big band music, almost as an after-thought (and probably is)and with this only being an import from ever-hip England, and thus having three strikes against it already before leaving the pressing plant, that the chances of recognition of the absolute superb musical treasure found here I'm afraid will likely go overlooked. And what of the younger generation, even the swing-loving crowd amongst the generation X-er's? How will they ever discover Randy Brooks miraculously beautiful sound? This may not be all the way state of the art sound (especially on track "After Hours" - but even for that bluesy jazz gem a little more noise than we come to expect is well worth it) all the way through, but boy oh boy, this was big band at its finest, and I mean finest. So how come you may never have heard of him or know his name?Well, Brooks' career came to an unfortunate sudden end with his suffering a stroke in 1950, and his trumpet was forever silenced, and it just seems unfair as after having been part of some other famous outfits prior to the end of the war (Claude Thornhill, etc.), he had struck out on his own. He never had a chance to capitalize and consolidate fame and fortune on the promise of "Tenderly", his only hit, and "Harlem Nocturne" artistic successes, but you have to know about this music. The quality is right up there with any of the greats, Artie Shaw, Harry James, Benny Goodman, ou name them. His band was just so short-lived. But this haunting, definitive version of "Tenderly" is a must, a big band essential, and you will be absolutely enthralled by it and nothing less, I promise, even if you never cared this way or that for the song before. But every track on this CD is high greatness, stellar, a marvel. You, yes you, who think you know so much about big band music, don't know what wonders await you until you've heard this disc, nor is your collection completely representative. A little corner of musical heaven, upon hearing will have you, too, singing the praises of this short-lived, but brightly, brightly shone aggregration. This will un-jade even the most jaded, deja-vue listeners, who think they've heard everything and don't expect to find something to get the old feeling of thrill upon hearing something so vital and unforeseen going again, guaranteed. How could this be so overlooked for so long? That's a fact just as amazing as is this music."

Come Blow Your Horn

Timothy A. Quale | Ogden, Utah | 05/18/2001

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I gave this 4 out of 5 stars for one reason, and one reason only.."Benny's Coming Home on Saturday". It is the absolute most fantastic thing I've ever heard! I can't live with out it and I also can't seem to get it out of my head either. Oh, the rest of the CD is fine too, with ex- Glenn Miller vocalist Marion Hutton (she sounds better with Brooks for some reason). And of course a screamin' Big Band filling in everything behind Randy's open trumpet. If You love brass (and who does'nt) you'll love this CD."

The best

Richard Ruark | Orlando FL | 07/03/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This represents the penultimate Randy Brooks. Listen particularly to "Tenderly" and especially "Man with a horn". These exemplify his fantastic tone and range. Why wasn't he more widely recognized? Playing trumpet myself, and being on the big band scene at that time, I can only say it was too late. Musicians, especially trumpet men, revered him. The only one who rivalled his tone was Charlie Spivak, but Charlie was a one dimensional trumpeter; marvelous sweet, but no jazz at all. The JBB arrangements were always timely, and usually with great humorous touches. Later, he was well-known for his "Alabama Concerto". To say that Randy made an impact in the musical field is an understatement. I, for one, loved this guy, and like Louis Armstrong said about Bunny, "When he's got a horn in his hand, he can't do no wrong!!""