Search - Don All-Stars Redman :: Star Dreams

Small groups by the Master of Big Bands

Phil Charters | Pinner, Middlesex, UK | 12/31/2001

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This is excellent mainstream jazz played with taste by superb musicians such as Harry Edison, Joe Wilder,Tyree Glenn, Will Bradley, Coleman Hawkins, Hank Jones, George Duvivier, Panama Francis, Jo Joes, Jimmy Crawford,Don Redman among others. The trumpets plus Redman are the front line for four tracks, the trombones plus Redman for four more and Coleman Hawkins and Redman for the remaning four. Well recorded and thoroughlt recommended."

Not What I Expected

William Faust | Columbus, Ohio | 08/04/2000

(1 out of 5 stars)

"Don Redman was a lesser known big band leader from the 20's and 30's who also wrote some great songs (Gee Baby Ain't I Good To You), NONE of which are on this weak and lifeless CD. I bought this disc because it was a 50's small ensemble session featuring some great swinging sidemen (Coleman Hawkins, Sweets Edison, Jo Jones) but it is nothing like I expected. The tunes - mostly Redman compositions - are forgettable, the arrangements worse and most of all...it doesn't swing but merely bounces along like a 30's "sweet" band. On one tune the melody is actually wistled. Not recommended."