Search - Maynard Ferguson :: Primal Scream

Maynard + Chick Corea = Musical Bliss

William F Ford | St. Petersburg, Fl United States | 07/16/2004

(3 out of 5 stars)

"Having waited several decades for this 1976 album to appear on cd, this is a most welcome addition to the Maynard catalogue. Although from the more commercialized Maynard musical period, it nonetheless is an essential acquisition for the Maynard fan. With the legendary Bob James as producer, as well as guest musicians such as Chick Corea, Joe Farrell, Eric Gale, Steve Gadd, and Dave Sanborn, you can be assured of impeccable instrumentation/arrangements. Maynard does his own intense interpretaion of Leoncavallo's "Pagliacci" from the opera of the same name, but for me, the real showpiece of the album is Chick Corea's "The Cheshire Cat Walk," written especially for this album. If you worship Chick Corea's 70's musical output, stop reading this and just go buy the cd. Chick has crafted a wonderful ten-minute Spanish-tinged tour de force just perfect for Maynard's soaring improvisation. To hear Maynard and Chick on synthesizer musically "duel" is worth the price of admission alone. Don't miss it !"

Maynard's Best Album (in my opinion)

Lugnut | Midwest, USA | 04/22/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Yes, I was a horn player through high school and college in the late '70's and early '80's. Everybody loves "Chameleon" and I do too, but in my opinion Primal Scream is his finest album ever.



Nobody has ever played the high register with the kind of power, intensity and flexibility Maynard did. Interestingly enough though, this album doesn't showcase that talent nearly as much as his other work does. He does of course rip off some goose-bump raising screamers as always, but they don't dominate the album.



Check out Mark Colby's monster saxophone solo in the title tune. And "Cheshire Cat Walk" is indeed a killer of a chart, although it took a while to grow on me initially. Once it did however, the Chick Corea/Maynard improvisation duel in "Cat Walk" is easily the best part of the album.



Primal Scream came out at the height of the disco craze, and "Pagliacci" is, well, pure disco. The arrangement is done so well though that you can't help but like it as you listen to Maynard's horn soar over the rest of the orchestra.



Very happy to see this album finally released on CD."

Screaming for More!

Kevin Brett | Stafford, VA | 03/15/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I love this one! Primal Scream really does scream. The trumpets flair from the first notes of Primal Scream all the way through to the last of the Swamp. Invitation is a pleasant driving tune, but the real peak in this album for me is Pagliacci. It's pop, but it's not. Jay Chattaway has brought the operatic classic to new heights (along with Maynard's soaring sound) and infused it with the elements of a modern classic rock opera feel.



This album is overflowing with legendary performers and composers including Bob James, Chick Corea, Jay Chattaway, Bobby Militello, Ralph Macdonald, Stan Mark, Dave Sanborn and others. This is one of Maynards best albums!



Kevin Brett

CEO, Kevin Brett Studios, Inc.

Author: "The Way of the Martial Artist: Achieving Success in Martial Arts and in Life"

The Way of the Martial Artist: Achieving Success in Martial Arts and in Life!



Producer: The Art of Intelligent Driving (DVD)

The Art of Intelligent Driving"