Steve Smith and Buddy's Buddies: Very Live at Ronnie Scott's
In 1980, Buddy Rich recorded Buddy Live at Ronnie's, one of his orchestra's greatest records. In 2002, drummer Steve Smith, backing a quintet that included two former Buddy Rich sax men, altoist Andy Fusco and tenor and soprano man Steve Marcus, sets up shop at the same Ronnie's, and swings like Buddy and the guys.
The set opens with one of Rich's staples, Cole Porter's "Love for Sale." It's as swinging, dynamic, and melodic as a song can get – and the quintet drives it hard, never looking back, for the rest of the night.
Featured here also are Horace Silver's "Nutville," "Big Man Blues," by Walt Weikopf (another Buddy Rich Band Orchestra alum), and "Bopformation," written by the quintet's pianist, Mark Soskin. Bright arrangements, some crisp Buddy-esque soloing, great sax harmonies and solo slots, and a couple of post bop bonus tracks to round out the set: John Coltrane's "Moment's Notice" and Sonny Rollins' "Airegin."
This is a concert reproduced on disc with fidelity – the songs were recorded and sequenced in order, as they were played, and it sounds like a great, brightly swinging night of jazz, a la Buddy himself.
Visit Steve Smith at www.vitalinformation.com .
Track Listing
Love for Sale,Nutville, Big Man Blues, Bopformation, How Do You Keep the Music Playing, The Pies of A.Z., Manfredo's Fest, Ya Gotta Try, Moment's Notice, Airegin
Personnel
Steve Smith, drums; Andy Fusco, alto sax; Steve Marcus, tenor and soprano sax; Mark Soskin, piano; Baron Browne, electric bass
Album information
Title: Very Live at Ronnie Scott's | Year Released: 2003 | Record Label: Tone Center
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