Search - Bert Kaempfert :: Swing

"Fips" takes on the big-band classics

Dave Mock | Rockville Centre, New York United States | 08/21/2003

(3 out of 5 stars)

"Swing music would seem to be a natural medium for German orchestra leader Bert Kaempfert, whose early inspirations included the American big bands. And this set finds "Fips" and his combo doing a good job covering some of big band music's classics.



This Taragon edition of "Swing" is really two separate albums. The first twelve cuts of Side One are the original "Swing" album that Polydor released in '78. The other three cuts on Disc One, and all of Disc Two, are either covers or Kaempfert originals culled from the bandleader's regular Polydor/Decca/MCA output between 1966 and 1975.



Kaempfert's musicians shine on the energetic "One O'Clock Jump" (great solos by tenor saxes Ferdinand Powell, trumpet/cornet player Ack van Rooyen and trombonist Jiggs Whigham) and brilliant, bracing performances like Benny Goodman's "Air Mail Special" (wonderful solo by Whigham) and Woody Herman's "Apple Honey." Anyone who associates Fips and company with dentists'-office music is in for a shock.



While the Kaempfert orchestra is the equal of the legendary bands on some tracks, on others Kaempfert is surprisingly too mannered. On Ray Wetzel's "Intermission Riff" (the Stan Kenton standby), Count Basie's "Jumpin' At the Woodside" and Goodman's "Stompin' at the Savoy" from Disc Two, Kaempfert's arrangements never manage to convey the energy inherent in the music.



But on Disc Two, Kaempfert's arrangements add sparkle to the Duke Ellington chestnut "Caravan," and a modern sheen to "Opus One" and "Tuxedo Junction." And fans of the Bert Kaempfert/Herbert Rehbein originals will be happy to hear the return of "Easy Glider," the gorgeous instrumental from '74 that closes this interesting and mostly good collection."

A good collection

dharmalady | St. Anthony, MN USA | 05/03/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Growing up with Bert K., Billy Vaughn, etc. I'm impressed with this. His touch is amazing."

Wow

Geoff | Toronto | 01/04/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The original 12 track vinyl 'Swing' album is probably one of Bert's top 5 albums.



The band is stellar - the renditions are wonderful.



My god, what an incredible band this is here



You have got to have this if you like the 40s swing numbers.



This is one of his last entries - certainly more compelling to hear than his attempt at making jazz renditions of pop and country music in other albums he made around the same time



My favorite - Woodchopper's Ball"