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

CHARLES MINGUS ~ THE COMPLETE TOWN HALL CONCERT BLUE NOTE 724382835325 (Barcode: 724382835325) ~ USA ~ Big Band Jazz Recorded: 1962 Released: 1994 This is a reissue / remaster of the album by American bassist / composer / bandleader Charles MingusFind albums by this artist, recorded at NY Town Hall on October 12, 1962 and featuring a 30-piece Big Band, which included some of the most prominent American Jazz musicians active at the time, including trumpeters Clark TerryFind albums by this artist and Snooky YoungFind albums by this artist, saxophonists Eric DolphyFind albums by this artist, Charlie MarianoFind albums by this artist, Zoot SimsFind albums by this artist and Pepper AdamsFind albums by this artist, pianists Jaki ByardFind albums by this artist and Toshiko AkiyoshiFind albums by this artist, drummer Dannie RichmondFind albums by this artist and of course Mingus on bass. The album presents twelve tracks, all bar one original compositions by Mingus, with a playing time over twice longer than the duration of the original LP album released in 1963 on United ArtistsFind albums on this label. Four of the tracks are previously unissued and another four are restored to their full length. The music is of course as Godly as anything else recorded by Mingus, with this reissue restoring the original castrated monstrosity to its full glory. For decades this music was considered as one of the least successful recordings by Mingus, but this version proves that it was the fault of the original LP producers, rather than anything to do with Mingus, who prepared this glorious Magnum Opus using his full blown talent, as we can now properly hear and witness. Mingus uses the Big Band masterfully, expanding his original scores in order to utilize the full strength of such a powerful vehicle and in order to present his musical ideas, which of course were light-years ahead of their time. This live recording remains as a sublime document of Mingus’ vision, and should be cherished as such. Overall, this is a wonderful time capsule, which presents the Jazz Genius of Mingus at work, given an opportunity to utilize a Grand Big Band, presenting his unforgettable melodies ornamented by improvisations by the best Jazz musicians alive at the time. This is obviously a must in every substantial Jazz records collection.

Updated: 21/05/2025Posted: 21/05/2025

CD 1 Remastered Bonus Tracks Essential Recommend To A Friend