Record Reviews

THAD JONES / MEL LEWIS ORCHESTRA ~ ALL MY YESTERDAYS RESONANCE 2023 (Barcode: 096802280221) ~ USA ~ Big Band Jazz Recorded: 1966 Released: 2016 This is an archival 2CD live album by the quintessential American Jazz Big Band / Orchestra, co led by trumpeter / composer / arranger Thad JonesFind albums by this artist (a.k.a. Thaddeus J. JonesFind albums by this artist) and drummer Mel LewisFind albums by this artist, recorded at the legendary NY Village Vanguard club, on February 7, 1966 (CD1 six tracks, all composed by Jones) and March 21, 1966 (CD2 eleven tracks, seven composed by Jones and four standards). The somewhat different lineups include many of the top American Jazz musicians active at the time, including pianist Hank JonesFind albums by this artist, bassist Richard DavisFind albums by this artist, saxophonists Jerome RichardsonFind albums by this artist, Joe FarrellFind albums by this artist, Eddie DanielsFind albums by this artist and Pepper AdamsFind albums by this artist, trumpeters Snooky YoungFind albums by this artist and Jimmy OwensFind albums by this artist, trombonist Bob BrookmeyerFind albums by this artist and others. As usual with the albums released by ResonanceFind albums on this label Records, the restored sound is excellent and the album includes a huge informative booklet with in-depth articles and excellent photographs. The music is as perfect as American Big Bands at their best were able to create, with rich arrangements utilizing the Big Band’s sections to the max, and thanks to the aggregation of talent present among the membership, the music flows briskly and sparklingly for the entire duration. There is plenty of excellent soloing and the compositions are all perfect for the Big Band milieu to shine ceaselessly. In retrospect, however, this music does sound quite predicable and shackled within the mainstream conventionalism, especially in contrast to what European Big Bands were about to explore just a few years later, which took the Jazz Big Band / Orchestral music to the next level. Overall, this is a wonderful example of the American Big Band tradition at its best, sparkled with the great musicianship available at the time. But Jazz was shaking at its foundations, with John ColtraneFind albums by this artist recording music at the same Village Vanguard, which sounded like coming from another galaxy, and the American Big Band scene was sadly coming to its final days, unable to adapt to the new era.

Updated: 16/12/2025Posted: 16/12/2025

CD 2 Mini-Sleeve Remastered Recommend To A Friend

JONATHAN KLEIN ~ HEAR, O ISRAEL – A PRAYER CEREMONY IN JAZZ TRUNK 025 (Barcode: 666017168128) ~ USA ~ Jazz-World Fusion Recorded: 1968 Released: 2008 The tiny British TrunkFind albums on this label Records label (owned by Jonny TrunkFind albums by this artist) is an endless source of discovery for a serious collector, specializing in unearthing ultra rare (or rarer) recordings and bringing them back to light. For specialist in Jazz Trunk Records have some incredible offers, like this incredible privately recorded album from 1968, which includes the music by Jonathan KleinFind albums by this artist – a seventeen years old youth at the time, performed by an incredible ensemble of leading American Jazz players: trumpeter Thad JonesFind albums by this artist, saxophonist Jerome RichardsonFind albums by this artist, pianist Herbie HancockFind albums by this artist, bassist Ron CarterFind albums by this artist and drummer Grady TateFind albums by this artist. Klein plays French horn and is the last member of the sextet. The music was conceived to be performed at a synagogue and was accompanied by singers singing verses from the Bible. Musically it is an incredible piece of modern Jazz, performed by the best musicians at the time. But the album is so completely obscure, that none of the discographies of the Jazz Giants involved lists it. So, as Jonny himself puts it, "Hallelujah", prize the Lord for making such a recording at the time and now having it back in circulation! Incredibly wonderful stuff!

CD 1 Remastered Recommend To A Friend