Buddy RICH & Alla RAKHA - Rich A La Rakha 1968

Buddy RICH & Alla RAKHA - Rich A La Rakha 1968
WPS 21453

Jazz

George Harrison (and Brian Jones) really started an upsurge in interest for Indian music, which led to more and more Western musician playing with the stars of classical Indian music.

Here we get an interesting meeting between superdrummer Buddy Rich and tabla-virtuoso Alla Rakha, known from his countless recordings with Ravi Shankar. And in fact the illustrious Ravi takes part of the proceedings here having composed and arranged two of the tracks - and having a short konakol duet with Allah on the last track. Other musicians on the record are the renowned jazz/New Age flutist Paul Horn and sitarist Sahmim Ahmed.

Considering that the traditional Western drumkit is an odd instrument in the setting of Indian classical music, Rich does a very fine job, playing some fine solos in odd meters. And jamming away on a dholak on what might be his best effort "Duet in Dadra". Fans should be warned though, that Buddy only plays on the first 3 tracks (= side 1 of the LP). The two final tracks are Alla Rakha solos, very well recorded soundwise and showing just what a marvelous musicain Zakir Hussain's father was.

As always with BGO the packing is excellent, and we not only get the original very insightful linernotes by the late Collin Walcott, but also an uptodate essay from Ken Hunt.

While not quite on par with Ravi Shankar's meeting with Yehudi Menuhin this is not just a curious oddity, but timeless, creative Music.
By Bodhi Heeren.
**
Buddy Rich- Drums & Dholak
Alla Rakha- Tabla
Paul Horn- Flute
Shamim Ahmed- Sitar
Taranath Rao- Dholak
Nodu C. Mullick- Tamboura & Manjira
Amiya Das Gupta- Tamboura
**
A1 Khanda Kafi   6:14
A2 Duet in Dadra   4:17
A3 Rangeela   7:35
B1 Nagma E Raksh   4:40
B2  Tal Sawari   14:22
**
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Buddy RICH - Class Of´78

Buddy RICH - Class Of´78
GADD-1030

Jazz

Buddy Rich successfully led big bands from 1966 until his death in 1987, but other than his final effort in 1985, this album contains his orchestra's last significant recording. Inexcusably brief (with only a half-hour of music), the lack of quantity is made up for by the high quality. The drummer's 15-piece ensemble performs memorable versions of "Bouncin' with Bud," "Birdland" (the best big-band version of the Weather Report hit), Horace Silver's "Cape Verdean Blues," Chick Corea's "Fiesta" and Barry Mintzer's "Funk City Ola." With the soloists including Steve Marcus on tenor and soprano, tenorman Gary Pribek, pianist Barry Keiner and Rich himself (on "Fiesta"), the music is consistently exciting. Recommended.
By Scott Yanow, All Music Guide.
**
Tommy Warrington- Bass
Gary Bribek- Cow Bell,Saxophone [2nd Tenor]
Alan Gauvin , Chuck Wilson- Flute
Barry Keiner- Keyboards
Greg Smith- Percussion [Cabasa],Saxophone [Baritone]
Chuck Wilson- Saxophone [1st Alto],Saxophone [Soprano]
Steve Marcus- Saxophone [1st Tenor],Saxophone [Soprano]
Alan Gauvin- Saxophone [2nd Alto],Saxophone [Soprano]
Matt Johnson- Trombone [1st]
Dale Kirkland- Trombone [2nd]
Edward Eby- Trombone [Bass]
Chuck Schmidt- Trumpet [1st]
Dean Pratt- Trumpet [2nd]
John Marshall- Trumpet [3rd]
Danny Hayes- Trumpet [4th]

A1. Birdland  
       Arranged By [Arranger] - Mike Abene
       Composed By [Composer] - Joe Zawinul
       Saxophone [Soprano Soloist] - Steve Marcus 
A2. Bouncin' With Bud  
       Arranged By [Arranger] - Frank Perowsky
       Composed By [Composer] - Bud Powell
       Piano [Soloist] - Barry Keiner
       Saxophone [Tenor Soloist] - Gary Bribek 
B1. Cape Verdean Blues  
       Arranged By [Arranger] - Tom Boros
       Composed By [Composer] - Horace Silver
       Piano [Soloist] - Barry Keiner
       Trumpet [Soloist] - Dean Pratt 
B2. Fiesta  
       Arranged By [Arranger] - Barry Keiner , Buddy Rich
       Bass [Soloist] - Tommy Warrington
       Composed By [Composer] - Chick Corea
       Drums [Soloist] - Buddy Rich
       Piano [Soloist] - Barry Keiner 
B3. Funk City Ola  
       Arranged By [Arranger] - Barry Mintzer
       Composed By [Composer] - Barry Mintzer
       Saxophone [Tenor Soloist] - Gary Bribek , Steve Marcus 
**
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Buddy RICH - Big Swing Face 1967

Buddy RICH - Big Swing Face 1967
Recorded at United Recording and live at the Chez Club, Hollywood, California on February 22-25 and March 10, 1967
ReIssued (July 9, 1996)

Jazz

Big Swing Face not only reissues the second recording by Buddy Rich & His Big Band but doubles the program with nine previously unissued performances from the same engagement at the Chez Club in Hollywood. Rich's orchestra was in its early prime, displaying a very impressive ensemble sound, charts by Bill Holman, Shorty Rogers, Bob Florence, Bill Potts and others, and such soloists as altoist Ernie Watts (a newcomer), trumpeter Bobby Shew, Jay Corre on tenor and the remarkable drummer/leader. Even with the presence of "Norwegian Wood" and "The Beat Goes On" (the latter features Rich's teenage daughter Cathe on a vocal), this is very much a swinging set. Rich has some outstanding solos and lots of drum breaks but does not hog the spotlight; he was justifiably proud of his band.
By Scott Yanow. AMG.
**
The original LP release of this album was nothing short of absolutely amazing. Now with the bonus tracks, any lover of Buddy Rich's drumming cannot afford to be without the CD version. Two tracks are particularly worthy of Buddy. "Love for Sale" has to have the most energetic single stroke roll in the history of jazz drumming. How he lived through that one, let alone played it, is unknown to me. Then there is "Apples (aka Gino)" which I nominate as the new "Cute." On this one, though, there are no brushes, just a hard, driving, nearly machine-like pace that's leaves the listener breathless and eager to play the track again.
"Big Swing Face" is notable for the woodwind ensemble work, smooth as silk, and there's the rebirth of "Bugle Call Rag." No, it's not very military here, just a hard, swinging tune.
A bonus is "The Beat Goes On" with Buddy's daughter Cathy Rich providing the vocal.
If you like big bands, and a drummer that really kicks the band into better, more inspired playing, you won't go wrong with this CD.
By Phil Bostian.
**
Buddy Rich- (Drums);
Quinn Davis- (Alto Sax);
Ernie Watts- (Alto Sax, Flute);
Jay Corre, Robert Keller- (Tenor Sax, Flute);
Marty Flax (Baritone Sax),
Bobby Shew, Yoshito Murakami, Charles Findley, John Scottile- (Trumpet);
Jim Trimble, Ron Meyers- (Trombone);
Bill Wimberly- (Bass Trombone);
Ray Starling- (Piano);
Richard Resnicoff- (Guitar);
James Gannon- (Bass).
Cathy Rich- (Vocals).
**
01. Norwegian Wood (This Bird Has Flown)- Buddy Rich 3:42
02. Big Swing Face (Remixed)- Buddy Band Rich 5:34
03. Monitor Theme (Remixed)- Buddy Band Rich 2:44
04. Wack Wack (Live) (Remix)- Buddy Rich 3:16
05. Love For Sale (Live) (Remix)- Buddy Rich 4:51
06. Mexicali Nose (Live)- Buddy Band Rich 2:52
07. Willowcrest (Remix)- Buddy Band Rich 4:16
08. The Beat Goes On (Live) (Remix)- The Buddy Rich Big Band 5:40
09. Bugle Call Rag (Live) (Remix)- The Buddy Rich Big Band 5:06
10. Standing Up In A Hammock- Buddy Rich 2:38
11. Chicago (Live)- Buddy Rich 2:58
12. Lament For Lester (Live)- Buddy Rich 2:33
13. Machine- Buddy Rich 3:44
14. Silver Threads Among The Blues- Buddy Rich 4:44
15. New Blues- Buddy Rich 4:40
16. Old Timey- Buddy Rich 3:28
17. Loose- Buddy Rich 4:07
18. Apples (Aka Gino) (Live)- Buddy Rich 2:43
**
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Buddy RICH - Buddy's Rock 2005

Buddy RICH - Buddy's Rock 2005
(4 CD Box Set)

Jazz

This massive four-disc set of Buddy Rich tunes on Quadromania is not to be confused with the same single-disc of the same title issued by Jazz Time in 1981. That disc is included here as the final outing, featuring Rich in session with the great Lionel Hampton. The rest of this material is a wildly assembled cross-section from his recordings made in the '40s through the late '50s (with some scant material from the '60s and '70s thrown in) with nary a concern shown for chronology, recording quality, or personnel. It's confounding and even frustrating to make your way through it with any sense of continuity. This is a portrait, pure and simple, but is so willy-nilly in its assemblage that despite the attractive price tag, fans and collectors would be better served by looking elsewhere for something more representative.
By Thom Jurek. AMG.
**
When it came to technique, speed, power, and the ability to put together incredible drum solos, Buddy Rich lived up to the billing of "the world's greatest drummer." Although some other drummers were more innovative, in reality none were in his league even during the early days. A genius, Buddy Rich started playing drums in vaudeville as "Traps, the Drum Wonder" when he was only 18 months old; he was completely self-taught. Rich performed in vaudeville throughout his childhood and developed into a decent singer and a fine tap dancer. But drumming was his purpose in life, and by 1938 he had discovered jazz and was playing with Joe Marsala's combo. Rich was soon propelling Bunny Berigan's orchestra, he spent most of 1939 with Artie Shaw (at a time when the clarinetist had the most popular band in swing), and then from 1939-1945 (except for a stint in the military) he was making history with Tommy Dorsey. During this era it became obvious that Buddy Rich was the king of drummers, easily dethroning his friend Gene Krupa. Rich had a bop-ish band during 1945-1947 that did not catch on, toured with Jazz at the Philharmonic, recorded with a countless number of all-stars in the 1950s for Verve (including Charlie Parker, Lester Young, Art Tatum, and Lionel Hampton), and worked with Les Brown, Charlie Ventura, Tommy Dorsey (1954-1955), and Harry James (off and on during 1953-1966). A heart attack in 1959 only slowed him down briefly and, although he contemplated becoming a full-time vocalist, Rich never gave up the drums.

In 1966, Buddy Rich beat the odds and put together a successful big band that would be his main outlet for his final 20 years. His heart began giving him trouble starting in 1983, but Rich never gave his music less than 100 percent and was still pushing himself at the end. A perfectionist who expected the same from his sidemen (some of whom he treated cruelly), Buddy Rich is definitively documented in Mel Tormé's book Traps the Drum Wonder. His incredible playing can be viewed on several readily available videotapes, although surprisingly few of his later big band albums have been made available yet on CD.
By Scott Yanow, All Music Guide.
**
Bob Asher- Trombone
George Berg- Sax (Tenor)
Sid Brown- Sax (Baritone)
Eddie Caine- Sax (Alto)
Candido Camero- Conga
Jack Carmen- Trombone
Lesley Mitchell Clarke- Sax (Alto)
Paul Cohen- Trumpet
Al Cohn- Sax (Tenor)
Tadd Dameron- Arranger
Mario Daone- Trombone
Allen Eage-r Sax (Tenor)
Harry "Sweets" Edison- Trumpet  
Al George- Sax (Tenor)
Terry Gibbs- Vibraphone
Phil Gilbert- Trumpet
Jimmy Giuffre- Sax (Tenor)
Lionel Hampton- Vibraphone
George Handy- Piano
Neal Hefti- Arranger
Bill Howell- Trumpet
Sam Hyster- Trombone
Jimmy Johnson- Bass 
Stanley Kay- Drums
Barney Kessel- Guitar
Barry Kiener- Piano
Teddy Kotick- Bass
Linda Larkin- Vocals
Harvey Lavine- Sax (Baritone)
Frank LePinto- Trumpet
Al Lorraine- Trombone
Johnny Mandel- Trombone
Steve Marcus- Sax (Tenor)
Warne Marsh- Sax (Tenor)
Hal McKusick- Sax (Alto)
Doug Mettome- Trumpet
Paul Moen Sax- (Tenor)
Billy Moore Jr.- Arranger
Bitsy Mullens- Trumpet
Tony Nichols- Piano
Louis Oles- Trumpet
Romeo Penque- Sax (Alto)
Tubby Phillips- Bass
Dale Pierce- Trumpet
Gary Pribeck- Sax (Tenor)
Jimmy Pupa- Trumpet
Dottie Reid- Vocals 
Red Rodney- Trumpet
Jimmy Rowles- Piano
Aaron Sachs- Sax (Alto)
Nick Sands- Sax (Alto)
Pinky Savitt- Trumpet
Jerry Schwartz- Piano
Joe Shulman- Bass
Joe "Run" Simmons- Bass
Earl Swope- Trombone
Jerry Therkeld- Sax (Alto)
Charlie Walp- Trumpet
Tom Warrington- Bass
Buddy Rich- Director, Drums, Vocals
**
Cd 1
01. Little Handicap
02. You Got Me Cryin' Again
03. Dateless Brown
04. Desperate Desmond
05. It Couldn't Be True
06. Quiet Riot
07. Baby, Baby All the Time
08. Iggity Song
09. Route 66
10. Ready to Go Steady
11. Rich-Ual Dance
12. It's About Time
13. Oop-Bop-Sha-Bam
14. What Is This Thing Called Love
15. Just You, Just Me

Cd 2
01. Just You, Just Me
02. Let's Blow
03. Somebody Like You
04. Oh What It Seemed to Me
05. Handicap
06. Poor Little Richard Bud
07. Goof and I
08. It's So Peaceful in the Country
09. What'll I Do
10. Carioca
11. Thou Swell
12. South
13. It's About Time
14. On a Slow Boat to China
15. Flamingo
16. He's Funny That Way
17. Man Could Be a Wonderful Thing
18. Over the Rainbow
19. Robbin's Nest

Cd 3
01. Yellow Rose of Brooklyn
02. Easy Does It
03. All Sweets
04. Nice Work If
05. Barney's Bugle
06. Now's the Time
07. You're Getting to Be a Habit with Me

Cd 4
01. Moments Notice
02. Giant Steps
03. Buddy's Cherokee
04. Take the "A" Train
05. I'll Never Be the Same
06. Buddy's Rock
07. My Funny Valentine
08. Latin Silk
**
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