Search - Harry James :: Golden Trumpet

Harry James, Late Recordings in Showy Stereo

Doug - Haydn Fan | California | 06/30/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Harry James made quite a few nice-sounding recordings, but few if any approach for sheer beauty of sound this very late effort (1968) under the Phase Four imprint, orignally issued as an LP. Recorded in Hollywood, here it is reissued through Vocalion, aka DuttonLabs.



James plays a great number of his career hits, and if this modern group is a far cry from the great early bands they are still top musicians. The arrangements are updated to a less challenging style, and lack the unison forces and arrangements of the early go-rounds - but if the originals remain quite untouchable these are delicious remakes, with undeniable style in the performances.



Harry is in good form; decades of hard living aside, his trumpet playing remains an iconic presence. The overall effect isn't so much nostalgia, though it is that of course, as tribute and statement. Some of the titles, such as the opening "Ciribirin" are not separate selections but parts of a medley.



A fine album, and one I happily play whenever I'm in a good mood and want the best.



Downside - The written notes by Nat Hentoff - taken from the LP - are just terrible, but you're buying this for the trumpet player's notes, and those are golden.

A more important and much bigger drawback - and it is a BIG ONE - this CD lasts less than 40 minutes! At Vocalion's full list price that's ridiculous. My suggestion - try to order it used.



For a top example of James at his peak try I've Heard That Song Before: Hits of Harry James Less money AND two (2) CDS!

Sample the selections on this Jasmine reissue - "The Mole" captures perfectly the world passing by outside the bus windows as the band travels from one gig to the next.

"

Get this one while you can!

Charles Pardue | Ohio | 12/21/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This isn't supposed to be a recreation of Harry's older hits. This is a testament of Harry's last great band. Joe Riggs, Ray Sims, Corky Corcoran and Sonny Payne are all here. And Harry is at his most powerful. Harry's band and playing began to decline right after this album When this album came out on vinyl, I was in high school, and as a trumpet player this album changed my life! Get this one while you can."