Search - Benny Carter :: Central City Sketches

Excellent Presentation Of The Compositions Of Benny Carter

Robert J. Ament | Ballwin, MO United States | 01/24/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The American Jazz Orchestra made only three recordings in its short life but this one, the first, has to be its best! One tends to think of Benny Carter as a great altoist and arranger, which he is, but forgets that he was one of the classic songwriters of the '20s and '30's. This cd contains some of that material plus some of his works from the '60s and '70s......what a career!!This cd contains two versions of "Doozy", a blues which had its debut in a 1961 album "Further Definitions". Carter's most famous ballad, "When Lights Are Low" was introduced in 1936 and I believe his most recorded song although the liner notes state that distinction as belonging to "Blues In My Heart". "A Kiss From You" was a score for television's "Chrysler Theater" in 1963, the big band version having been introduced at a 1973 concert at Princeton."Central City Sketches" is a recent (at the time of recording) extended work of 6 separate movements (22+ minutes of total length). Highlights are: Benny on trumpet of "Central City Blues"; "Hello" features some nice reed section work, long a Benny Carter trademark; the introductory flute work of Lew Tabackin and the trumpet of Marvin Stamm on the wistful "People"; Carter's alto work on "Promenade", a medium tempo Basie-type swinger; Carter,again, on a beautiful melody, "Remember"; and finally "Skydance", a voicing for flutes and brass.The remainder of the program: "Lonesome Nights", another excellent writing for reeds; the concert version of "Doozy" (the first version); "Easy Money" written for Count Basie in 1961; "Symphony In Riffs" written in 1933 and recorded by Tommy Dorsey, Gene Krupa, Woody Herman, Glenn Miller, and Artie Shaw;"Souvenir", introduced at Princeton in 1973, spotlighting Carter's alto sax; and, finally, "Blues In My Heart" written in 1931.This is a fabulous tribute to the music of Benny Carter, who was the arranger, conducted the orchestra and also played trumpet and alto sax and whose career has spanned more than 70 years!!! The musicians are among the best!If you enjoy big band, and the music or playing of Benny Carter, you will want this cd."

If there is peace, rest in it

Boxodreams | district of columbia | 07/14/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"There are 107 -- at last check -- Benny Carter offerings on Amazon.com. That is a good thing. He is not the most cherished jazz master in my private pantheon, but there is a place. Longevity is a beautiful thing when you are not forgotten, sliding back into the primordial ooze. The man worked -- and wonderfully -- into his nineties. Not the 1990s, his NINETIES. I've always considered Benny Carter someone who distilled the very best in jazz music. He had impeccable taste, which often is a euphemism for kind of boring. Not so here. Central City Sketches, performed with Gary Giddins' American Jazz Orchestra was the work of one of the pioneers of reportory jazz, which has found full flower in the Lincoln Center project of Wynton Marsalis. This group had one soaring, breathtaking moment -- this CD and the performances it was born out of. It is every reason why Carter should be paid attention. I just read he was gone and I finally got around to writing something about him. It's better to honor the dead when they are alive, don't you think? It's a shame we don't always get around to it. We can say we didn't bother to make the time, but sometimes the time is not as abundant as we would wish. At 95, goodbye Benny Carter. May your music continue to be pressed."

A period piece.

Richard Frost | San Diego, CA | 01/11/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Benny Carter arranges, conducts, plays alto sax and trumpet. The "orchestra" is a jazz band with some of the period's finest musicians. Recorded at a time when "Pop-orchestra" performances of jazz were popular. For this group, think of the Boston Pops without strings. The compositions and performances are all excellent, but somehow it hasn't aged well. Total playing time is 71 minutes."