Search - Alan Freed :: Rock & Roll Dance Party

The Band Alone is Worth the Purchase

J. G. Gollin | Holmdel, NJ United States | 01/17/2003

(3 out of 5 stars)

"For those of us who cut their eye-teeth on rock 'n roll - a trip down memory lane (and worth it).I heard Pretzel in person - twice. Once featuring Sam (The Man)Taylor, Al Sears and Heywood Henry and once with Taylor, Sears and King Curtis all blowing tenor. As swing evolved into bebop, a number of musicians - they mostly blew tenor - (in an effort to feed their families) accepted rock 'n roll gigs. In many cases they were ripped by jazz purists for "selling out." Maybe these guys couldn't hold a candle to Coltrane or Shorter for creativity, but one thing's for sure: these guys swung - whether it was fronting their own groups, supporting a singing group or playing in Alan Freed's band.The Freed band arrangements were often by (or in the tradition of) Ernie Wilkins, Quincy Jones and Neal Hefti.Unfortunately, the record bigwigs haven't seen fit to reissue entire compilations of instrumentals by the Freed band, but man, they were good! So for the time being, you have to cherry-pick individual cuts from concerts like this one.If you ever made it over to the Brooklyn or NY Paramount theater to hear an Alan Freed rock 'n roll show, this CD will bring back memories (Who can forget the Cadillacs - resplendent in their lemon colored "pimp garb' doing the intricate choreography while they belted out Speedo and Down the Road).If they ever came out with a 100% Freed band compilation, I'd give it 5 stars."

Almost like being back in the past.

Alan Eiger | Dallas, GA USA | 08/26/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Just listened to my copy, it's in mono,but it has the feel of listening to it on the radio. I grew up in Brooklyn and listened and watched Alan Freed regularly. This cd brought me back. I even like the audience yelling, as it made it feel authentic. It was great to hear the music done live, it has a special feel, especially for me."