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Maynard Ferguson
For 17 years Bob Putignano has been pivotal at WFDU with his Sounds of Blue radio show (Mon. & Wed. 9am-1pm) www.SoundsofBlue.com – Previously a senior contributing editor at Blues Revue, Blueswax, and Goldmine magazines, currently the Music Editor for the Yonkers Tribune www.YonkersTribune.com - www.MakingAScene.org & www.wfdu.fm/Whats-Happening/Bob's Music Reviews/bobs music reviews/ Bob was the 2003 recipient of the “Keeping the Blues Alive” award (given by the Blues Foundation in Memphis) for his achievements in radio broadcasting.
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This twelfth edition is taken from the band's performances at Colgate University in Hamilton, NY on November 4th, 1977 plus a third disc of (bonus) material recorded two days prior in Toronto, Ontario.
Maynard Ferguson - Big Bop Nouveau OV-171“Big Bop Nouveau” Opens with James Giuffre’s composition “Blue Birdland” that he also arranged, the walking baseline intros captivating solos from Christopher Hollyday’s alto, Glenn Koster’s baritone, Tom Bevan’s guitar and the leaders trumpet. Ray Noble’s classic “Cherokee” is arranged by Mike Abene follows powerfully at breakneck speed with a lengthy workout via Hollyday’s alto. The storming “Caught in the Current” is composed and arranged by George Stone, features trading solos via Matt Wallace’s tenor and Maynard’s trumpet. Jimmy Van Heusen’s and Johnny Burke’s “But Beautiful” is treated regally by Dave Metzger’s and John Towney’s arrangements, Towney adds a fine piano lick that subtlety changes the mood and fascinates. The aptly titled “Crusin’ for a Bluesin’” authored and arranged by Andy Wiener is a hair-raising horn-blowing piece from beginning to end with quality solos by all the sax-players in the band and Ferguson. “The Maynard Ferguson Hit Medley” (12:05) is comprised of: Herbie Hancock’s “Chameleon,” Jimmy Webb’s “MacArthur Park,” Slide Hampton’s “Frame for the Blues,” Leonard Bernstein’s “Maria,” concludes with Joe Zawinul’s “Birdland.” I could have done without the phony added crowd applause, though the tightly edited song segues are magnificent as are the superlative arrangements by Don Metzger and the contributing arrangers Slide Hampton, Todd Carlin, Jay Chataway, and Nick Lane. There’s just one bonus track on “Big Bop Nouveau” authored and arranged by Steve Wiest featuring the vocal prowess of New Orleans great Luther Kent. Big Luther’s in fine form as he sails through “Compared to You” talking about several brands of alcohol, autos, LP’s, food, oil wells, high-tech studio electronics, with humorous comparisons to this particular lady. Maynard explodes on this bluesy big-band bash that rolls and strolls. *Note: I’ve known Luther Kent for at least a decade and asked him if he knew about this recording. He did, and recalls being flown out to the West Coast and was paid for the session, but it wasn’t used on the original album. Twenty-five plus years later; that wrong has been righted with this cool bonus inclusion that finally sees the light of day. If you would like to know more about Luther, I recommend checking out his web site at: www.LutherKent.com – You’ll be glad you did.