Strange title but great tracks of
R. Viehdorfer | Arvada CO | 05/15/2007
(4 out of 5 stars)
""First time on CD for this long-out-of-print title"... well, not exactly, as I have a copy of the U.S. release, arguably the original domestic CD release, in my hand as I write this. Recorded live in March 1980 at Ronnie Scott's and released in the U.S. by DRG Records years ago, this has indeed been long out-of-print and hard to find, so it's good to see this available once again. The biggest disappointment on the date is Saturday Night by Bob Mintzer, but he redeems himself with four (!) other arrangements, including an early version of Slow Funk and Good News, later released on the forgotten and gone-without-a-trace MCA album simply named Buddy Rich Band - produced, if memory serves, by Joel Dorn. Added bonus, for those of you who know who Ronnie Scott was, is his spoken introduction at the top, just like Rich In London. One last note: Grand Concourse, a Rich staple written by Bob Kaye, is sharp as a tack and arguably the best track on the date, taken at a (very) slightly slower tempo, with Buddy and Wayne Pedziwiatr on fender bass soloing briefly before leading the band out. Anyway, sound quality is good, Buddy sounds great, the band cooks, what else is there to say? If you don't have this get it before it too disappears."
Tight
William L. Horley | Australia | 06/29/2007
(3 out of 5 stars)
"This is typical, amazing Buddy. I'm not convinced about his Funk/Rock playing but he is still brilliant.
The best part of this CD for me, is the "machine-like" tightness of the band playing "shot" note figures in the swing tunes. Unbelievable!!!"
MIserable title, magnificent disc
Gary Morton | BELLEVUE, WA USA | 06/02/2007
(4 out of 5 stars)
"As R. Viehdorfer points out, this is not new. The release I refer to is titled Live at Ronnie Scott's and contains exactly the same charts in exactly the same order, with the same cover photo. The title trickery aside, it is a terrific album, full of the usual power and energy we expect from Rich's bands. This version of Good News also features solo and counterpoints between Rich and bass man Wayne Pedziwiatr, about 2 minutes of give and take leading up to a powerful wrap (including annoying Star Wars-like sound effects, the signs of the times, I guess). I imagine the new title release will be as popular as the last."
Track Listings (6) - Disc #1