1966 was a most illogical time for anyone to try forming a new big band but
Buddy Rich beat the odds. This CD reissues the first album by the
Buddy Rich Orchestra, augmenting the original Lp program with nine previously unissued performances from the same sessions. The arrangements (eight by
Oliver Nelson along with charts by
Bill Holman, Phil Wilson,
Jay Corre,
Don Rader and others) swing, put the emphasis on the ensembles and primarily feature
Corre's tenor although trumpeter
Bobby Shew, altoist
Pete Yellin, pianist
John Bunch and guitarist Barry Zweig are also heard from. Most of the songs did not stay in the drummer's repertoire long (other than
Bill Reddie's adaptation of "West Side Story" and "Sister Sadie") and in fact only three members of the 17-piece orchestra would still be working for
Rich a year later. An enjoyable and somewhat historic set. ~ Scott Yanow