Louie Bellson Their Time Was The Greatest CD

The concept behind this CD was for Louie Bellson to pay tribute to a dozen drummers with a song apiece. The drummers who are saluted are Buddy Rich, Chick Webb, Big Sid Catlett, Jo Jones, Max Roach, Tony Williams, Dennis Chambers, Elvin Jones, Gene Krupa, Art Blakey, Shelly Manne, and Steve Gadd. Although Bellson plays quite well and his big band is colorful, most of the selections and the drumming sounds nothing like these drummers. Certainly one cannot imagine Dennis Chambers playing "Stix & Bones" or Steve Gadd playing in a similar way to Bellson on "All About Steve." However if one forgets the tribute aspect and just listens to the straight-ahead music, the date is successful. There are fine solos along the way from Bellson (who contributed ten of the 12 songs), tenors Pete Christlieb and Tommy Newsom, trumpeters Conte Candoli, Pete Candoli, and Snooky Young, trombonists Andy Martin and Thurman Green, and pianist Frank Strazzeri among others. ~ Scott Yanow

Recorded at Group IV Recording, Los Angeles, California on August 17 & 18, 1995. Includes liner notes by Patricia Willard and Louis Bellson.

Personnel: Louie Bellson (drums); Sal Lozano (soprano saxophone, alto saxophone); Ray Reed (alto saxophone); Pete Christlieb, Tommy Newsom (tenor saxophone); Bill Green (baritone saxophone); Snooky Young (trumpet, trombone); Conte Candoli, Walt Johnson , Pete Candoli, Frank Szabo (trumpet); Jimmy Zito, Andy Martin, Thurman Green (trombone); Michael Wimberly (bass trombone); Frank Strazzeri (piano); Jack Arnold (percussion).

Audio Mixer: Phil Edwards .

Liner Note Author: Patricia Willard.

Recording information: Group IV Recording, L.A., CA (08/17/1995/08/18/1995).

Photographer: Bruce Burr.

Arrangers: Neal Finn ; Frank Mantooth; Rick Wilkins; Mark Taylor ; Louie Bellson; Nat Pierce; Tommy Newsom; Thad Jones; Bob Florence.

Personnel: Louie Bellson (drums); Sal Lozano, Ray Reed (alto saxophone); Pete Christlieb, Tommy Newsome (tenor saxophone); Bill Green (baritone saxophone); Conte Candoli, Pete Candoli, Walt Johnson, Frank Szabo, Snooky Young (trumpet); Thurman Green, Andy Martin, Mike Wimberly, James Zito (trombone); Frank Strazzeri (piano); Dave Carpenter (bass); John Arnold (percussion).

Down Beat (6/96, p.40) - 4 Stars - Very Good - "...one of the better Louie Bellson big band dates of the last decade....really a wonderful CD..."