Bob Wilber and the Tuxedo Big Band –
Fletcher Henderson’s Unrecorded Arrangements for Benny Goodman
2000 Arbors Records, Inc.
SQ
Issue: Spring 2001 Volume 11, Issue 2
Musicians:
Guest Conductor and
Soloist: Bob Wilber, Clarinet; Trumpets: Jean Imbert, Eric Roberts, Philippe Laudet,
Jacques Sallent; Trombones: Laurent Hotta,
Didier Pascal, Michel Chalot; Saxophones: Paul
Chéron, Stéphane Lourties, Michel
Pastre, Gérard Batbie, Guy Robert;
Piano: Thierry Ollé; Guitar: Henri Chéron; Bass: Pierre-Luc Puig;
Drums: Jean-Luc Guiraud
“A
lot of good records come out every year, but very few of them could be called an event. This one can.
An unearthed treasure trove of arrangements written by Fletcher Hederson for
Benny Goodman but never previously recorded now brought to life by Bob Wilber and a
swinging big band filled with first-rate soloists – well, that’s not the sort of
thing that happens every day.” – Ross Firestone –press release.
Mr.
Firestone, author of Swing, Swing, Swing: The Life and Times of Benny Goodman has
captured the essence of this CD. Fletcher
Henderson was the genius behind numerous Goodman hits.
His genius on these arrangements for this CD are solid gold!
You
won’t find the most popular Goodman tunes on this CD but you are soon going to have
new favorites. EVERY song on this CD is
danceable. I don’t think I’ve ever
come across a prerecorded CD that I could say that about.
Not only are they all danceable, but they are all exceptional. The musicians have contributed to a flawless
effort on all 17 songs on this CD. The
clarinet solos by Wilber capture the essence of Goodman and the Tuxedo Big Band is second
to none.
I
would point out my favorites but I would have to list every song. The band is tight and swingin’ and the
soloists all shine. You can’t have this
CD in your collection soon enough. Go right
now and buy this one!
Bottom Line: To buy or not to buy…..ABSOLUTELY BUY! Here’s how: