Search - Shorty Rogers :: Martian's Come Back/Way Up

Forever a Classic

William Faust | Columbus, Ohio | 09/16/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This single CD combines two of Shorty Roger's late 50's recordings that are classics in my book. Shorty Rogers, a veteran of several big bands in the 40's developed a fresh and highly original style with his big studio bands of the 1950's. He would combine the swinging characteristics of bands like Herman and Basie, with the rhythmic experimentation of a band like Kenton, and the harmonics of some of the small west coast ensembles like Baker/Mulligan to create a totally west coast, totally cool approach to big band jazz. These charts are classic Shorty and as usual, he always chose the best of the west to be part of his Giants! This CD is no exception and features some of the finest LA studio musicians of the day. If you like Shorty, scoop this one up."

Smooth, advanced swing arrangements from a master

madamemusico | Cincinnati, Ohio USA | 08/26/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Milton "Shorty" Rogers was one of the sparkplugs of the Woody Herman Second Herd. In the early 1950s, at the height of the Cool Jazz craze, he created and led one of the most delightful and exciting big "little" bands in the land, the Giants, which featured such outstanding talents as tenor saxist and arranger Jimmy Giuffre (a former Herman bandmate), French hornist John DeGraas, and drummer Shelly Manne. These classic tracks, recorded for Capitol/EMI, are simply fabulous...witty, inventive and full of life. This is one CD that is guaranteed to improve your mood, and you don't need to listen to blasting electric guitars to do it!"

Believe !

Jazzcat | Genoa, Italy Italy | 02/29/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Yes, martians, AKA stellar jazzers from the fifties, come back! This review is for "Martians come back" only (the album "Way up there" is not considered here) which to me ranks among some of the best west coast jazz ever played and recorded. Apart from the fact that it has one of the most funny cover of the fifties. This album swings like mad and it is always entertaining. Each time I come back to it, I find an unbelievable album full of fantastic, energizing music. Each tune is a gem in arranging and playing Jazz. The small big band, or the big combo here is composed by trombone, tuba, French horn, trumpet, reeds, and rhythm. The personnel is a who's who of the best west coast jazz ever, Shelly Manne at the drums, Lou Levy, Earl Grey, Pete Jolly, Pete Cera (all at the piano in different tunes). Ralph Pena, Leroy Vinnegar, Curtis Counce are the double bass players, Bud Shank (sax), Barney Kessel (guitar), Jimmy Giuffre (clarinet). Martians! The music is a sort of count basie that meets the west coast ideas in arrangement. It is unbelievably funny! For real, you have to ear for yourself to believe. One of the best west coast jazz albums ever! Believe! (do you remember those posters with the flying saucer and the word BELIEVE written in the lower part? Ok, BELIEVE this is one of the best albums you can buy) =))))"