BUDDY RICH BAND - Very Alive At Ronnie Scotts
BGO CD785 (2 CDs)
Recorded: 6th to 8th December 1971
The history of this album by Buddy Rich is complicated. I quote from Wikipedia: ‘The US LP release, Rich in London, contains 8 tracks plus a Rich monologue. The UK release, Very Alive at Ronnie Scotts, is a double LP containing an additional 5 tracks plus more examples of Rich talking to the audience. Both albums have been re-issued on CD. The Mosaic single CD re-issue of Rich in London includes 4 additional bonus tracks (4 of the "missing" 5 tracks from the UK "Very Alive..." release - all but "Superstar" - but not the additional Rich monologue)’.
Have you got all of that?
You have to be in the right mood to appreciate the Buddy Rich Band. The music is in your face unrelenting and full on. There is little light and shade, nuance is rare, all very male.. The current album recorded at Ronnie Scott’s is a great memory of a remarkable man and band. There's a sadness because this is right at the end of the big band era.
The personality of Buddy is set in a hard-edged, sardonic pose completely professional, brooking no competition. It is always difficult to forget the tape of Buddy berating his band after a gig. He was harsh, cruel even, because he thought that the band had underperformed. No one under performs for Buddy and they don’t on this double album.
Buddy’s drumming is still admired. Professional drummers, of all persuasions, consistently place Buddy at the top of their list of favourite drummers. In spite of Buddy’s braggadocio, he was fairly modest about seizing solo space. The aspects to listen to are his fills, his punctuations, the flexibility and fluidity, the unrelenting drive and rhythm and his musicality.
He had stocked the band with good soloists: Pat LaBarbera on tenor and Lin Biviano and Jeff Stout on trumpets. Ex Ellington bass player Paul Kondziela plays alongside Rich.
On one number, ‘That’s Enough’, Kathy Rich, Michelle and Carlene Henrdicks sing. It is enough!
Most of the arrangements are by John LaBarbera. Bill Holman did ‘Time Being’ and Mike Gibbs arranged ‘Two Bass Hit’.Oliver Nelson arranged Duke Ellington’s ‘In A Mellow Tone’.
If you have any rhythm in your soul and a tinge of nostalgia for the big band era you will find something on the two cds to enjoy. Compressing a band like this into the small space at Ronnie’s added an edge and energy to the sound. This was one of the best Rich bands and Buddy always ensured that the audience received a good show.. There is a good reason why this music has been re-issued and re-issued..
The generous notes and the quality of the recording by Bob Auger complete the experience.
Reviewed by Jack Kenny
BGO CD785 (2 CDs)
Recorded: 6th to 8th December 1971
The history of this album by Buddy Rich is complicated. I quote from Wikipedia: ‘The US LP release, Rich in London, contains 8 tracks plus a Rich monologue. The UK release, Very Alive at Ronnie Scotts, is a double LP containing an additional 5 tracks plus more examples of Rich talking to the audience. Both albums have been re-issued on CD. The Mosaic single CD re-issue of Rich in London includes 4 additional bonus tracks (4 of the "missing" 5 tracks from the UK "Very Alive..." release - all but "Superstar" - but not the additional Rich monologue)’.
Have you got all of that?
You have to be in the right mood to appreciate the Buddy Rich Band. The music is in your face unrelenting and full on. There is little light and shade, nuance is rare, all very male.. The current album recorded at Ronnie Scott’s is a great memory of a remarkable man and band. There's a sadness because this is right at the end of the big band era.
The personality of Buddy is set in a hard-edged, sardonic pose completely professional, brooking no competition. It is always difficult to forget the tape of Buddy berating his band after a gig. He was harsh, cruel even, because he thought that the band had underperformed. No one under performs for Buddy and they don’t on this double album.
Buddy’s drumming is still admired. Professional drummers, of all persuasions, consistently place Buddy at the top of their list of favourite drummers. In spite of Buddy’s braggadocio, he was fairly modest about seizing solo space. The aspects to listen to are his fills, his punctuations, the flexibility and fluidity, the unrelenting drive and rhythm and his musicality.
He had stocked the band with good soloists: Pat LaBarbera on tenor and Lin Biviano and Jeff Stout on trumpets. Ex Ellington bass player Paul Kondziela plays alongside Rich.
On one number, ‘That’s Enough’, Kathy Rich, Michelle and Carlene Henrdicks sing. It is enough!
Most of the arrangements are by John LaBarbera. Bill Holman did ‘Time Being’ and Mike Gibbs arranged ‘Two Bass Hit’.Oliver Nelson arranged Duke Ellington’s ‘In A Mellow Tone’.
If you have any rhythm in your soul and a tinge of nostalgia for the big band era you will find something on the two cds to enjoy. Compressing a band like this into the small space at Ronnie’s added an edge and energy to the sound. This was one of the best Rich bands and Buddy always ensured that the audience received a good show.. There is a good reason why this music has been re-issued and re-issued..
The generous notes and the quality of the recording by Bob Auger complete the experience.
Reviewed by Jack Kenny
