Search - Sauter-Finegan Orchestra :: That's All

Genius under pressure

joel fass | bronx,, n.y. United States | 08/11/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Sauter-Finegan was a stroke of genius that survived (for a time anyway) against all odds. Individually two of American music's most gifted arranger-composers, when they pooled their considerable resources musical sparks really flew. I won't rehash their history, because those coming to this page undoubtedly know it. Still, it is amazing both the quantity AND quality of work these two came up with on cue while under the financial gun of getting out of the hole and paying some of the best players around (for these demanding charts, none less would do). It meant facing certain realities: stay on the road, hire singers, and cultivate a dance book (even though ballrooms were closing, as was the band business in general). This CD documents all of this well, and Bill Finegan and Eddie Sauter's writing triumph. There was just no situation these two couldn't handle. They brought out the material, players, and singers---the arranger's job--while writing backgrounds and interludes that combined orchestral virtuousity with humor. Also the level of playing plus unusual, sometimes hilarious instrumentation (glockenspiels, kazoos, etc.)added up to a sound unlike the other major bands of the day. Here (and on all the studio recordings), one can hear the players' love and dedication to the band, and there's no greater compliment. On this CD, right through the tightly controlled medium of commercial radio one can hear genius at work. Tunes are rarely longer than 3 minutes. Each one is a gem of orchestration, and shows that the arrangers know exactly who and what they were writing for. And the audience eats it up, proving that good music CAN be appreciated if it only gets exposure. With such great players on the band it would have been nice to hear them feautured a bit more (they probably did that when the dance crowd went home). If you love great writing or even highly intelligent, entertaining music that doesn't take itself too seriously, you should own this CD. If you're an arranger wanting to know the masters, you must."

Vintage Sauter-Finnegan Big Band Radio Transcriptions

Ralph Waldo Emerson III | 01/01/1999

(3 out of 5 stars)

"This CD is very interesting, as they are the only recordings of the "Camel Caravan" radio series featuring Vaughn Monroe and Dick Haymes. The recording is in mono and the results are fair. Recommended to any Big Band enthusiast because of it's unique historical interest."

A NO NO!

Ralph Waldo Emerson III | Ventura, California USA | 05/08/2006

(1 out of 5 stars)

"This is an old radio show ("Camel Caravan") and though it may have some historical value, it is of NO value if you are a fan of the Sauter-Finegan Band. This CD is a variety radio show with the band mostly backing up other performers. This CD is also not indicative of the fine recordings that were made during that time period. It has "amateur" stamped all over it.



As one who saw the band "in person" at the Hollywood Palladium, I find this CD a major disappointment as well as being misrepresented in it's presentation. One of the very few times I have felt a product misrepresented on Amazon.xom."