This is probably Maynard's
most enjoyable album ever. Different versions of some of the tunes were
released on other albums, but this recording is special. I've heard virtually
all of Maynard's recordings, and this one is the only one that uses more
natural acoustics so you get to hear Maynard's sound without a lot of
amplification, as it would be heard in a good concert hall. The effect is a
natural, reverberant sound completely unlike super-dry jazz studio recordings
or overload-the-mic "live" recordings. This is Maynard at the height
of his powers, with a fantastic band, playing the big band jazz he did so well
before his more commercial endeavors. Most notably, this album features
Maynard's most dramatic reading of "Ole," with mind-blowing trips
into the stratosphere, and a version of "Got the Spirit" that
features Maynard far more than the "Live at Jimmy's" recording.
Highly recommended. ~ Music Is Everything, Amazon.com.
MPS Records, MPS 15 166 ST,
1968
Prestige Records, PRST 7636, 1969
Recorded circa mid-December,
1967 in Baden-Baden, Germany
Personnel:
Maynard Ferguson - Trumpet
Rolf Schneebiegl - Trumpet,
Flugelhorn
Klaus Mitschele, Karl Sauter,
Siegfried Achhammer - Trumpet
Gerhard Lachmann, Heinz
Hermannsdorfer, George Hohne - Trombone
Werner Betz - Bass Trombone
Bernd Fischer, Werner
Baumgart - Alto Saxophone, Clarinet
Bert Huseman - Tenor
Saxophone, Solo (#B2), Flute
Rudi Flierl - Tenor
Saxophone, Bass Clarinet
Johnny Feigel - Baritone
Saxophone, Solo (#A2)
Dieter Reith - Piano, Solo
(#A4)
Jurgen Franke - Guitar
Werner Schulze - Bass
Herman Mutschler - Drums
Rolf-Hans Mueller - Conductor
Arranger - Michael Abene
(#A1,A2)
Tracks:
A1. Almost Like Being In Love
{Al Jay Lerner, Frederick Loewe} (1:51)
A2. Knarf {Michael Abene}
(4:29)
A3. Ole {Maynard Ferguson,
Slide Hampton} (7:07)
A4. Dancing Nitely {Bill
Holman} (5:08)
B1. Tenderley {Jack Lawrence,
Walter Gross} (3:02)
B2. Whisper Not {Benny
Golson, Milt Jackson} (6:23)
B3. Got The Spirit {Slide
Hampton} (9:26)
