Track Listing

1. Dedication
2. It Only Happens Every Time
3. Tiptoe
4. Child Is Born
5. Fingers
6. Consummation
7. Us
8. Ahunk, Ahunk

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #61205 in Music
• Released on: 2002-04-23
• Number of discs: 1
• Formats: Original recording reissued, Original recording remastered
• Dimensions: .23 pounds

Customer Reviews

A Big Band Masterpiece
The Thad Jones-Mel Lewis big band was the harmonic and natural successor to the Count Basie band. With some of the best players of their era, its members included Joe Farrell, Jerome Richardson, Dee Dee Bridgewater (who often sang because her husband played sax in the band), Pepper Adams, Snooky Young...need I continue? Yes! How about Sir Roland Hanna, one of the great piano player/composers? I consider this album one of the best and most overlooked jazz albums of all time. As a sax player, all I can say is if you like big band jazz or Count Basie, you will love this album. It is a musicians' and audience favorite.

PS-One of the most beautiful jazz ballads ever written and covered by many jazz players is on this album: A Child Is Born.

For people who think they don't like jazz...
have obviously never heard this incredible album! I've listened to a good number of big bands over the years and as of now the one founded by the two-headed monster known as Thad Jones & Mel Lewis remains the most intriging and arguably the finest from ANY era for that matter. Jones honestly doesn't get enough credit for his extremely inventive compositions and arrangements, both of which continue to push the limits of what a big band can truly do when in the hands of a certified master like him. Mel Lewis is also very much underrated in his ability to apply the proper groove to whatever it is the band may be playing at any given moment (not to mention him being funkier than the average jazz drummer back in the day). Many highlights abound on this 1970 landmark release, most notably "Tiptoe", "A Child Is Born", "Fingers", and the title track. It's a shame most jazz music being made today often fails to reach the same inspired level of musicianship and creativity one would find here. So I advise you to add this gem to your collection if you truly have any sense at all. Never know when classic stuff like this will go out-of-print again.

Some of the greatest arrangements of all time
I've waited a long time to see this finally re-released. I had already went through two vinyl pressings of this masterpiece and was left with only a cassette for every day use. Although much of this has been on other cd compilations, having everything in the original order and in a new re-master is wonderful. This is among the very, very, best big band jazz albums ever made. The arrangements are absolutely first rate, and the performances are incrediblely tight, tasteful, and exciting. Do yourself an enormous favor and BUY THIS!