brustd: I never thought of it from that point of view. Thank-you. Either way, I'm not going to cut them slack, both were absolute top of the game and had supurb ears; they must have known better!! I'll go so far as to make one other allowance-many of the big bands during this time were doing silly things to make a $. Brustd--I have quite a bit of their work on CD, and their themesong "Doodletown Fifers" you can probably pick up easily on an RCA/BMG issued CD titled: Directions In Music.
I'm going to be a contrarian with the other nice people who have written in: I have the utmost respect for both Sauter and Finegan's writings prior to their marrage,I am constantly amazed by the profound depth and faculty that Finegan wrote for Tommy Dorsey, and the same for Sauter with Goodman in the middle 1940's, but in the 1950's I think they almost always manufactured junk. For all the talent employed as writers AND players it is a shame that most of this work resulted in novelty tunes!
@callmeBe I get what you are saying, but I don't think it is junk so much as it is a case where they both were just thinking too much. Both great in their own right, like you said, but they definitely need a front man/band leader to say "boys, whaddya thinkin' here?" Sort of like some of the later Kenton work. Just because you can do it doesn't mean you should. Like the line from Amadeus, "too many notes". Having said that, I would kill for a recording of the Doodletown Fifers.
@brustdiesel "Doodletown..." turns up pretty frequently on e-bay for little money...there was also a "Best of.." BMG cd and pretty sure it's on there, too...not sure if it's still in print, and Bill Finnegan was bugged that nobody asked him what tunes to include, but worth finding nonetheless.
@callmeBe Yes, serious. Yes, helpful. Reread your comments about "manufactured junk," and "novelty tunes." Then, try to locate an experienced composer/arranger to discuss this, and to try to help you HEAR what's going on. BTW, a good example of someone who was influenced by this band is Bob Brookmeyer, but with him, don't start with "manufactured junk" and "novelty tunes."
@OttoLink10 Oh, I think I have far more than enough experience to say just about anything I wish. Refer to my site for credentials (taught music theory/composition at Univ., works published (all out of print now--music goes out of print very fast in educational markets). Point is, both Sauter and Finegan were apex writers, I tell you that Sauter's music lies wonderfully (I have done piano reductions) even under print scrutiny, but together their efforts were far less than synergenic. Too bad
Everybody on the band was so busy all the time between playing, counting bars out, changing instruments, Wow! I had the honor of talking to Bill Finegan on his 91st birthday by phone, 2 months before he passed last year. A true gent and genius. Thanks for posting!!
It was several years ago, near Mount Pleasant, S.C. on I-526. I was on my way back from my route in Myrtle Beach. We were heading the same direction. Always liked the Glenn Miller sound. Keep playing it!
Two extra percussionists, besides the set drummer, and they were kept very busy. I think I saw their ghosts in the halls of Manhattan School Of Music.
Get Mickey One, the film soundtrack (now on CD) by Eddie Sauter. My humble opinion, one of the greatest recordings of the last century. Stan Getz solo's all over it, playing what really is the psychological state of the main character played by Warren Beatty. It starts out in a familiar feel, then explodes with power. I bought it after seeing ads for it the the late sixties in Playboy. It ain't no background music. THe CD has a second take of the score and outtakes after the main score. BEST!!
Wow! Thank you so much for putting this video of the band of YouTube! I was
just a high school kid when I discovered SF, and sure wish someone would bring
out a CD (from the master tapes) of their recordings. I have just about worn out
the Lps, but did fine a Twin Pack Album by UA, a stereo tape that helps bring out
the dynamic range of this wonderful bunch of musicians!
pauldquam1 3 months ago
Exhilarating & heartening, for any fan of innovative big-band/orchestra &/or "space age pop" music... Sauter-Finnegan forever!
The21stcenturypaul 1 year ago
Jay McAllister played tuba with Stan Kenton as well.
pap4456 1 year ago
Is Doodletown Fifers by this band anywhere on the web to be heard?
kafcan 2 years ago
brustd: I never thought of it from that point of view. Thank-you. Either way, I'm not going to cut them slack, both were absolute top of the game and had supurb ears; they must have known better!! I'll go so far as to make one other allowance-many of the big bands during this time were doing silly things to make a $. Brustd--I have quite a bit of their work on CD, and their themesong "Doodletown Fifers" you can probably pick up easily on an RCA/BMG issued CD titled: Directions In Music.
callmeBe 2 years ago
wonderful music!
8ballinthepocket 2 years ago
I'm going to be a contrarian with the other nice people who have written in: I have the utmost respect for both Sauter and Finegan's writings prior to their marrage,I am constantly amazed by the profound depth and faculty that Finegan wrote for Tommy Dorsey, and the same for Sauter with Goodman in the middle 1940's, but in the 1950's I think they almost always manufactured junk. For all the talent employed as writers AND players it is a shame that most of this work resulted in novelty tunes!
callmeBe 2 years ago
@callmeBe I get what you are saying, but I don't think it is junk so much as it is a case where they both were just thinking too much. Both great in their own right, like you said, but they definitely need a front man/band leader to say "boys, whaddya thinkin' here?" Sort of like some of the later Kenton work. Just because you can do it doesn't mean you should. Like the line from Amadeus, "too many notes". Having said that, I would kill for a recording of the Doodletown Fifers.
brustdiesel 2 years ago
@brustdiesel "Doodletown..." turns up pretty frequently on e-bay for little money...there was also a "Best of.." BMG cd and pretty sure it's on there, too...not sure if it's still in print, and Bill Finnegan was bugged that nobody asked him what tunes to include, but worth finding nonetheless.
luvmyrecords 1 year ago
@callmeBe Have you had your hearing checked lately?
OttoLink10 1 year ago
@OttoLink10 I don't know what your comment concerns, but it seems unhelpful at best. If you are serious, please clarify. OttoLink, many thanks!
callmeBe 1 year ago
@callmeBe Yes, serious. Yes, helpful. Reread your comments about "manufactured junk," and "novelty tunes." Then, try to locate an experienced composer/arranger to discuss this, and to try to help you HEAR what's going on. BTW, a good example of someone who was influenced by this band is Bob Brookmeyer, but with him, don't start with "manufactured junk" and "novelty tunes."
OttoLink10 1 year ago
@OttoLink10 Oh, I think I have far more than enough experience to say just about anything I wish. Refer to my site for credentials (taught music theory/composition at Univ., works published (all out of print now--music goes out of print very fast in educational markets). Point is, both Sauter and Finegan were apex writers, I tell you that Sauter's music lies wonderfully (I have done piano reductions) even under print scrutiny, but together their efforts were far less than synergenic. Too bad
callmeBe 1 year ago
Everybody on the band was so busy all the time between playing, counting bars out, changing instruments, Wow! I had the honor of talking to Bill Finegan on his 91st birthday by phone, 2 months before he passed last year. A true gent and genius. Thanks for posting!!
Ron Mills
Glenn Miller Orchestra
rmo52 2 years ago 2
Hooray! I passed your Band Bus one day! Please play " A String of Pearls"!
panzerschnott 2 years ago
Howdy! We'll play "A String of Pearls" every gig, no matter what. Where/when did you pass our bus?
Thanks,
Ron Mills, Piano
Glenn Miller Orch. USA
rmo52 2 years ago
It was several years ago, near Mount Pleasant, S.C. on I-526. I was on my way back from my route in Myrtle Beach. We were heading the same direction. Always liked the Glenn Miller sound. Keep playing it!
panzerschnott 2 years ago
The tuba player's name is Jay McAllister. He is my dad and together we watched as he reminisced.
Correction sclogse1 Stan Getz was not a member of this band.
hihorn Jay too will be haunting the Manhattan School of Music- class of 1964
alfaborda 2 years ago
well your dad played his ass off.
gregoryburrows 1 year ago
@alfaborda No, Getz wasn't a member of this band, but he was the featured soloist on "Mickey One".
luvmyrecords 1 year ago
Two extra percussionists, besides the set drummer, and they were kept very busy. I think I saw their ghosts in the halls of Manhattan School Of Music.
hihorn 3 years ago
Loved it! Great to hear the arrangers exercising their chops.
MykeeRamen 3 years ago
Get Mickey One, the film soundtrack (now on CD) by Eddie Sauter. My humble opinion, one of the greatest recordings of the last century. Stan Getz solo's all over it, playing what really is the psychological state of the main character played by Warren Beatty. It starts out in a familiar feel, then explodes with power. I bought it after seeing ads for it the the late sixties in Playboy. It ain't no background music. THe CD has a second take of the score and outtakes after the main score. BEST!!
sclogse1 3 years ago
Thank you for posting this clip! This is the second number from The Colgate Comedy Hour, May 1954.
I love to watch percussionists hustling about (being one myself). It looks like a drum corps pit of today. Fantastic tambourine thumb roll!
RIP Bill Finegan. Heaven's Big Band has a new arranger.
mjbari3 3 years ago
Absolutely on fire, one of the best bands of all time, period. Those boys left their mark. We miss you Bill.
gregoryburrows 3 years ago