Stan Kenton - Over The Rainbow

Stan Kenton's Big Band - (Somewhere) Over The Rainbow; Sketches On Standards.

Album Excerpt: Another in the first rate series of collections of dance music that the Kenton band recorded in order to remain financially afloat even as its leader pushed the envelope when it came to innovation. Oddly, or perhaps not, these early arrangements (this set recorded in 1953) represent some of the most timeless of Stan Kenton's recordings.

Fans of the louder, leading edge Kenton may find this album quiet. Technically, it represents some very appealing, straightforward recordings of songs that showcase the talent of this group. Most welcome is that Kenton's own piano is not buried in the walls of sound so common to his later efforts.

If you are new to Stan Kenton, this might not be the place to start because there are other better known albums that overshadow Sketches on Standards. Sound quality is excellent for 1953, however, and the tracks are well chosen. For those times when you want to enjoy first rate jazz without necessarily waking up the neighborhood, it would be hard to argue with the current album.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• stan
• kenton
• over
• the
• rainbow
• somewhere
• sketches
• on
• standards
• dance
• music
• 1953

[jaytlr9]

Thanks for the information on Stan Kenton and his band. Very interesting. Even with this version of "Over the Rainbow," the band sounds like it just wants to let loose.

[jaytlr9]

@c16467 Thanks for posting this memory, c16467. I enjoyed reading it.

[jaytlr9]

@Tigolbittys1 Yes!

[exjazzbassbaz]

@carolinaNIM just come for another listen.wonderful.bobby {butter] burgess died in1997 after a wonderful career playing with woody h.dizzy g.maynard.thad jones/mel lewis and many more.even today 9 out of 10 trombone players cannot achieve such a wonderful sound.much like my man frank rosolino..happy listening.

[NanBayKid1]

This Kenton album is one of my most favored. I still treasure having it for YEARS.

[CarolinaNIM]

@exjazzbassbaz I heard the Kenton Band in the 70s when Dick Shearer was carrying on the tradition of perfect sounding lead trombonists. What became of Burgess?

[Tigolbittys1]

Go Trumpets!

[Lennitriss]

I bought this album in 1953. It was a ten inch one in the UK. It did not get good reviews from the critics. (shows what they know) It is amongst my favourites and I still play the CD reissue. Konitz,Rossolino.Burgess,Conte Candoli etc,never bettered this.My favourite track? "Pennies from Heaven"

[c16467]

I fell in love with this piece and Bobby when I was a young trombone player in Fort Worth, Texas, listening to this arrangement over and over until I could get Butter's licks down (I never did achieve his wonderful full sound).

I went to meet him when I read he was playing at a hotel in Dallas with Lou Marini. He was very kind and friendly to me being as wonderful a person as he was a musician.

[exotik9913]

this is the best