Carla Bley's big-band theory is put into fine practice on this recording with her characteristically stacked and tight lineup of British, European, and American players. English saxophonist Andy Sheppard, also a member of George Russell's idiosyncratic large ensemble, is the most prominent soloist. He teases, flips, and warps the tunes with vigor and feeling. He has chops to burn but a delicate touch, too. Also featured are trombonist Gary Valente, trumpeter Lew Soloff, and altoist-flutist Wolfgang Puschnig. A special, surprising guest is violinist Alex Balanescu, whose hip new-music quartet was, at this time (1993), winning notice. The whole band sparkles and lends just the right dosage of swagger and cheek where needed. The cover of Charles Mingus's "Goodbye, Pork Pie Hat" does honor to the tune. The album is, overall, among the Bley big band's finest. --Peter Monaghan
Big Band Theory,Carla Bley,Ecm Records,Avant-Garde Jazz,Big Band,Experimental Big Band,Jazz,Jazz Music,Pop,Post-Bop
Jazz Music:
- Big Music
- Bird at the Apollo [Live]
- Blue Bossa [Import]
- Brian Bromberg
- British Jazz [5-CD] [Box set]
- Brother Jim
- Brother Jim
- Bruford Tapes [Import]
- Bunny Berigan and the Rhythm Makers
- Chasin the Bird [Import]
Jazz Music
Live At The Whiskey A-Go-Go/Here We A-Go-Go Again [2 on 1]
Music: Bach J.S: Well Tempered Clavier V.1 [Import]
Best of Lana Lane 1995-99 [Import]
Show Boat (1962 Studio Cast Recording) [Original recording remastered] [Cast Recording]
Ravel: Daphnis et Chloé/Boléro
Pickin' on Nancy Sinatra a Bluegrass Tribute
Rêverie: Classical and Romantic Music for Guitar