Superb!
D. Allen | McKinney Texas | 01/13/2008
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I may not be an old hack who knows his jazz inside and out, but I know what I like - and I definitely like this. The editorial reviewer hit the nail on the head when he said it had big band drive and small group spontaneity. This provides the best of both worlds, and the material and performance are excellent.
Really Big! is part of the new jazz remaster series "Keepnews Collection". Orrin Keepnews produced for the Riverside and Milestone labels in the late '50s and the '60s, and he employed engineers who produced beautiful recordings. Any audiophile knows that Riverside's recordings are some of the best ever put to tape, and this remaster series does not disappoint. The Keepnews Collection is jazz and audiophile nirvana."
Outstanding Outing For Heath
J. Rich | 01/16/2009
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Tenor saxophonist/composer Jimmy Heath has had many outstanding recordings during his long career, but I think "Really Big!" is exactly what the title says, it's got everything that's great about Heath rolled up into one album. It shows his big band arranging and composing chops in addition to his great saxophone playing, which to the this day is underrated I think. Heath assembled a great band for this record:
Clark Terry - trumpet
Nat Adderley - cornet
Cannonball Adderely - alto saxophone
Pat Patrick - baritone saxophone
Dick Berg - french horn
Tom McIntosh - trombone
Tommy Flanagan or Cedar Walton - piano
Percy Heath - bass
Albert "Tootie" Heath - drums
I consider this recording to be an essential jazz recording. Anyone interested in big band or hearing a band playing in complete harmony, then pick up this album. Highly recommended."
Huge
Jack Baker | LeRoy,IL | 04/18/2008
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Really Big! is a fantastic Jimmy Heath-led session from June of 1960. Heath (tenor sax) enlisted brothers Percy (bass) and Albert "Toots" (drums), joining Cannonball Adderly (alto sax), Nate Adderly (cornet), Clark Terry (trumpet & flugelhorn), Tom McIntosh (trombone), Dick Berg (French horn), Pat Patrick (baritone sax), Tommy Flanagan (piano, tracks 1, 2, & 6), and Cedar Walton (piano, all other tracks). The tentet format provides the big sound of an orchestra while maintaining the inspired, intimate groove of a smaller combo. This session really swings, driven by the pianos of Walton or Flanagan, steadily anchored by the Heath brothers on bass and drums. These instruments provide the bedrock over which the various horns soar.
Most of the pieces were written by Jimmy Heath, with the exception of "Dat Dere", the Bobby Timmons piece given a rousing treatment here, "On Green Dolphin Street" (Washington-Kaper), and "My Ideal" (Chase-Robin-Whiting). Heath and trombonist McIntosh handled the arranging chores and the results speak for themselves. Never do any of the horns sound muddled or out of place; everything seems to mesh together well. This is a testament to the arranging, as well as the recording. Every instrument is defined, with its own space in the mix. I can't speak for what the original sounded like, but the Keepnews remaster has excellent sound. There's not a bad piece to be found here, all lively and entertaining, each number concise and in the groove. This album brings some major swing and a huge sound, thanks to the plethora of talent on hand. Give your ears a treat with this one.
"
Track Listings (9) - Disc #1