Big And Rich

Buddy Rich - Mercy, Mercy (1968) {Pacific Jazz ‎CDP854331 rel 1997}
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© 1968, 1997 Pacific Jazz / Capitol | CDP 7243 8 54331 2 2
Jazz / Modern Big Band / Mainstream Jazz / Bop / Drums

This CD reissue brings back the finest all-round recording by Buddy Rich's big band. The original version of "Channel 1 Suite" is a classic and contains tenor saxophonist Don Menza's most memorable solo, plus a couple of brilliant improvisations from the explosive drummer/leader. Another highlight is an inventive Phil Wilson arrangement of "Mercy, Mercy, Mercy," and even "Alfie" (a melodic feature for altoist Art Pepper) and "Ode to Billie Joe" come across well.

Bernard "Buddy" Rich was an American jazz drummer and bandleader. He is considered one of the most influential drummers of all time. Rich was born and raised in Brooklyn, New York, United States. He discovered his affinity for jazz music at a young age and began drumming at the age of two. He began playing jazz in 1937, working with acts such as Tommy Dorsey, Count Basie, and Harry James. From 1942 to 1944, Rich served in the U.S. Marines. From 1945 to 1948, he led the Buddy Rich Orchestra. In 1966, he recorded a big-band style arrangement of songs from West Side Story. He found lasting success in 1966 with the formation of the Buddy Rich Big Band, also billed as the Buddy Rich Band and The Big Band Machine. Rich was known for his virtuoso technique, power, and speed. He was an advocate of the traditional grip, though he occasionally used matched grip when playing the toms. Despite his commercial success and musical talent, Rich never learned how to read sheet music, preferring to listen to drum parts and play them from memory.

Buddy Rich - Take It Away (1968) {Capitol–BGO BGOCD210 rel 1993}
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© 1968, 1993 Capitol Records / BGO Records | BGOCD210
Jazz / Modern Big Band / Swing / Mainstream Jazz / Drums

Despite its title, this was actually the third album by Buddy Rich's still-new big band. The recording is taken from two different periods that, although only five months apart, find the band undergoing some major turnover; only six of the 15 sidemen are the same. With such players as altoist Ernie Watts, trumpeter Chuck Findley, and usually Jay Corre on tenor, this was a strong outfit. Most of the material (other than "Chicago" and "I Can't Get Started") was new; among the high points are "The Rotten Kid," "New Blues," and the complex "Diabolus."

Buddy Rich - Rich In London (1971) {RCA–Mosaic Records MCD-1009 rel 2006}
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© 1971, 2006 RCA / Mosaic Records / BMG Music | MCD-1009
Jazz / Mainstream Jazz / Modern Big Band / Bop / Drums

This is one of the best all-round sets by the Buddy Rich big band. The original Rich in London RCA LP, which contains nine selections, is augmented by four additional numbers from the same dates that were originally issued on a British RCA LP. The Rich orchestra at the time featured the great Pat La Barbera on tenor and soprano, trombonist Bruce Paulson, and lead trumpeter Lin Biviano along with many lesser-known but talented soloists.

Compared to the previous Mercy, Mercy, this recording is a lesser effort by the Buddy Rich big band. However, the outing does have its notable moments, with the key soloists being the young altoist Richie Cole, tenor saxophonist Pat LaBarbera, guitarist David Dana and the drummer/leader. Recorded live at the Whiskey A-Go-Go, some of the songs are stronger than others; a pair of tunes by the Doors sound silly in this context. Highlights include Don Sebesky's "Soul Lady," Bill Holman's "Ruth" and "The Meaning of the Blues."

The idea probably looked good on paper. Why not combine Buddy Rich's Quintet of 1959 (which consisted of altoist Phil Woods, trombonist Willie Dennis, pianist John Bunch and bassist Phil Leshin) with Max Roach's band of the time (consisting of trumpeter Tommy Turrentine, tenor saxophonist Stanley Turrentine, trombonist Julian Priester and bassist Bobby Boswell)? This CD reissues all of the music (including four "new" alternate takes) but the excess of drum solos and the relative brevity of space given to the horns results in a great deal of sameness from track to track.

Avid Jazz here presents three classic Buddy Rich albums plus including original LP liner notes on a finely re-mastered double CD.
“The Wailing Buddy Rich”; “The Swinging Buddy Rich; “This One’s For Basie” plus 6 of 7 tracks from “Buddy And Sweets”.
Bernard “Buddy” Rich was born to show biz parents in Brooklyn in 1917. A natural drummer he was known in vaudeville as “Taps the Drum Wonder” and was leading his own band by the time he was eleven! Starting his jazz career in 1938 in Joe Marsala’s band he went on to play with the likes of Tommy Dorsey, Bunny Berigan, Artie Shaw and Harry James…

Mel Tormé and Buddy Rich had been friends for decades prior to finally getting around to recording together. Although largely a Tormé vocal record, the Buddy Rich Orchestra, with guest altoist Phil Woods, is in top form, and the drummer/leader has several solos…