Search - Ray Conniff :: Live at the Sahara / Tahoe

One of Conniff's best live tour albums!

03/15/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This album was recorded in 1969 at the Sahara Tahoe hotel in Lake Tahoe, Nevada. It was released when Conniff was at the peak of his popularity and is probably the best selling of his live tour albums.The repertoire varies from Conniff's old instrumental hits such as Smoke Gets In Your Eyes and On The Street Where You Live to contemporary songs of that period including Love Me Tonight, Honey, and Mrs. Robinson, performed by the Conniff Singers.Unfortunately, the CD reissue does not include the original credits and liner notes. The listener may not be aware of some of the big name musicians Conniff had in his orchestra, such as Johnny Guarnieri on piano (from Artie Shaw/Benny Goodman bands), Panama Francis on drums (Cab Calloway), Skeets Herfurt on clarinet (Dorsey Brothers Orchestra), and Johnny Best on trumpet (Glenn Miller Orchestra). Conniff himself was an arranger and trombonist for Bunny Berigan, Bob Crosby, and Artie Shaw among others.Conniff was never afraid to share the limelight with the musicians and singers. Several solos are performed on this set but perhaps the best is when Ray gathers the above mentioned musicians to perform authentic Dixieland favorites: Muskrat Ramble and South Rampart Street Parade.The CD packaging is missing most of the photos from the original Lp set. However, it does include a well written article by Ray's daughter Tamara which discusses Ray's entire career from first learning how to play the trombone through the present day.Every Ray Conniff fan should own a copy of this CD. If you have a few dollars to spare, also buy 'S ALWAYS CONNIFF from Ray's second tour of Japan in 1991."