Jazz brass fans-Rejoice!…
Art Farmer – Listen to Art Farmer And The Orchestra – Mercury/Verve #00199957015059 – 180 gm stereo vinyl – 34:33 – *****
(Art Farmer – flugelhorn; complete credits listed below)
If you love jazz brass in large settings, you can do no better than owning Art Farmer’s Listen to Art Farmer And The Orchestra. Recorded in 1963, and using the incredible arranging skills of Oliver Nelson, this masterpiece was a “one-off” experiment in putting together a “who’s who” of simply the best available jazz musicians in a recording studio, to present an album that swings hard in a sophisticated setting.
Now here comes the best part. It has just been re-issued from the Verve vault in 180 gm vinyl. All titles from the original album, cut from the original analog tapes, and re-pressed on high grade vinyl, deliver pristine acoustics. The meeting of the burnished flugelhorn of Farmer, with an all-star backing orchestra, is cause for celebration.
Immediately, on the opener, “Street of Dreams,” we know we are in for something special. Farmer’s warm tone is met with a dreamy, yet inquisitive backing from the orchestra, especially from the woodwinds. It then reaches a brass crescendo, before returning to a mellower vibe. Billy Strayhorn’s “Rain Check,” follows, and we now hear Oliver Nelson’s genius (at this recording he was only 30 years old, but already completely developed) displayed as he explores the theme in a full orchestral setting. Horns dart in and out. It’s thrilling on record and would be entrancing to hear live!
“Rue Prevail,” written by Art is next. It brings down the temperature in a moody, pensive manner. It would be great to hear on a film noir soundtrack.
“The Sweetest Sounds,” taken in a bossa nova fashion led by percussion and Charlie Persip’s drums, is a vehicle for Art to take lead.
“My Romance” was made to order for Art’s flugelhorn. Few matched his ballad prowess, and as expected he delivers here on this standard. “Fly Me to the Moon,” is taken at a fast tempo, while Coltrane’s “Naima,” is fascinating to hear in an orchestral setting, quite different than usually heard in a smaller jazz grouping. Oliver Nelson has free rein to explore the broader sound stage setting.
The film theme, “Ruby,” is the closer. It has a brass vs. woodwinds feel with each responding, taking the theme to glorious heights, led once again by Farmer’s mellow soloing.
This release has something for everyone. Fans of Mr. Farmer, and big brass ensembles with orchestral flourishes, will be delighted, as well as those with audiophile systems ready to hear the best jazz studio musicians, can fully appreciate this remastered classic.
—Review by Jeff Krow
Listen to Art Farmer And The Orchestra
Tracklist:
Side A:Street of Dreams, Rain Check, Rue Prevail. The Sweetest Sounds
Side B: My Romance, Fly Me to the Moon, Naima, Ruby
Performing Artists:
Art Farmer – flugelhorn;
Clark Terry, Snooky Young, Ernie Royal, Bernie Glow, Ray Copeland, Rolf Erickson, Paul Serrano – trumpets;
Jimmy Cleveland, Urbie Green, Tommy Mitchell, Paul Faulise, Tony Studd-trombones;
Ray Alonge, Jim Buffington, Bob Northern – French horns;
Phil Woods, Danny Bank, Ray Beckenstein, Stan Webb, Phil Bodmer, Walt Levinsky, Romeo Penque- Reeds and Woodwinds
Tommy Flanagan – piano; Jim Hall & Barry Galbraith – guitars;
George Duvivier – bass; Charlie Persip – drums; Ray Barreto & Willie Rodriguez – percussion
