Search - Rob McConnell, Boss Brass :: Live in Digital

Great Musicians

Jim_C_Clark@aoncons.com | New Jersey | 04/09/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is an excellent CD. I've been looking everywhere for a copy of T.O. on CD and have had no luck until this CD. The Groovin' High recording is a very good and famous one. I've heard it on the radio a few times and was surprised to find that this is the same one. I'm very excited to have this CD and thoroughly recommend it to any jazz fan, especially a trombone fan - Don't let the valve trombone turn you off. It's great!"

This Album Swings Hard!!!

Dean Selmer | Florida | 08/05/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is my first Rob McConnell CD, and it won't be my last. In my opinion, this is one of the best, if not the best Big Band albums I have. McConnell's band, which was recorded in 1980 for this CD, completely blows away newer bands like Gordon Goodwin's Big Phat Band (Goodwin is awesome, but this CD blew me away). If you are a fan of Jazz and/or Big Band, you can't go wrong here. If you've never listened to Jazz or Big Band, this is also a great CD to start with!"

Great band terrible recording

Keith Gunn | Orinda, CA | 04/11/2007

(1 out of 5 stars)

"This band is one of my favorites because:

The arrangements are innovative; the ensemble playing is superlative, when they record in the studio; Terry Clarke is one great drummer -- his fills and accents will have you falling out of your chair. But... this album has the worst microphone placement and the worst mixing I have ever heard. And, one of the band's weaknesses appears glaringly -- the soloists, particularly the brass soloists, are not a strength of the band. If you want to hear great soloists in a big band context, check out Be Bop Big Band by Carl Saunders. I love Ed Bickert, but somehow the big band does not bring out his strengths as well as the small group format, e.g., with Paul Desmond or Lorne Lofsky. And in this recording, the bass player sounds like he was in the next town, the drum miking is awful, and the band's playing is way weaker than it is when they get into the studio and polish up the playing. These particular arrangements are difficult to execute but not the most inventive, and though Rob pushes, this just wasn't their night IMHO."