Search - Maynard Ferguson :: Blues Roar

Great out-of-print Maynard CD from 1964

Steve Frazier | Seattle | 11/24/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The LP version of this has long been one of my favorite "early Maynard" records from the early 60's. It's been re-released twice on CD but appears to be out of print as I write this.



Originally this was released in 1964 as "The Blues Roar" on LP and again on LP in the early 70's as "Screamin' Blues" (the cover of this LP has the photo reversed and shows Maynard using his *left* hand to finger the valves on his trumpet). As a CD, it was re-released once on Mainstream in the early 90's and again on an audiophile version for Mobile Fidelity Labs.



There are some stellar sidemen on this recording; based on the names I've always assumed this was recorded in New York since most of these folks played and lived in the New York studios. Sidemen include: Jimmy Nottingham and Bernie Glow on trumpet; Barry Galbraith on guitar; Mel Lewis on drums; Urbie Green on trombone; Willie Maiden, Lanny Morgan and Charlie Mariano on saxophone; Mike Abene on Piano; Richard Davis on bass.



The arrangements here are excellent -- apparently they were written by Mike Abene, Don Sebesky, and Willie Maiden. Many of the tracks feature two french horns (credited to Ray Alonge and Jimmy Buffington); and tubist Don Butterfield has a key part on "Night Train" (the Jimmy Forrest standard).



This is definitely worth tracking down if you are interested in the NY phase of Maynard's career...along with "Birdland Dream Band" it's one of my favorite early Maynard releases."