Search - Bill Berry :: Hello Rev

Talk About A Gathering Of Heavyweights............

Robert J. Ament | Ballwin, MO United States | 06/07/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"and I'm talking about the talent at this live performance. These guys cook through the whole performance. I could give this one ten stars if the rating were expanded that far.The trumpets included Bill Berry, Cat Anderson, Gene Goe, Blue Mitchell and Jack Sheldon. Trombonists were Britt Woodman, Jimmy Cleveland, Benny Powell, and Tricky Lofton. Saxes were Marshal Royal, Lanny Morgan, Richie Kamuca, Don Menza and Jack Nimitz. Monty Budwig stood near the bass, Dave Frishberg at the piano and Frank Capp driving the whole thing.My personal favorite is the title tune with the trombone exchanges between Tricky Lofton and Jimmy Cleveland. This one always comes to mind when I think of favorites in my library.......I don't think there is a better example of big band straight ahead jazz. The guys were really on it that night and the music comes straight at you."

A joyful, swinging Big Band set

Stephen W. Mckenna | Pine Grove Mills, PA USA | 12/26/2001

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This West Coast All Star band was "on" during this energetic live set recorded in 1976 before an appreciative and enthusiasic audience in Concord, CA. Trumpeter Bill Berry, a veteran of the Duke Ellington Big Band, leads a group that includes Cat Anderson, Richie Kamuca, Blue Mitchell, Marshal Royal, Don Menza, Dave Frishberg and Jack Sheldon. Their swinging version of "Cottontail", which begins with a blistering solo by Blue Mitchell and ends with Cat Anderson's soaring high notes (with several notable solos between), is alone worth the price of this CD....it practically lifts you right out of your seat! These guys were obviously having a blast, and so will you when you listen to this vastly underappreciated and underheard gem."

This band cooks

Bomojaz | South Central PA, USA | 03/11/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Berry's first Concord recording, featuring a big band consisting of the likes of Cat Anderson, Blue Mitchell, Jimmy Cleveland, Richie Kamuca, and Dave Frishberg to mention only a few. These guys know how to play! "Cottontail," the Ellington swinger that featured Ben Webster when he was with the Duke, is the highlight here and really burns. Another Ellington tune, "Boy Meets Horn," is taken at the other end of the spectrum--real slow--and it, too, shines. A couple of tunes are only fair, but this CD doesn't disappoint."