"ON the WILD SIDE" Grammy Nominee 2004
John La Barbera Big Band
View More by this ArtistOpen iTunes to preview, buy, and download songs from John La Barbera Big Band
| Name | Artist | Time | Price | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mayreh | John La Barbera Big Band | 4:23 | $0.99 | View In iTunes |
| 2 | So What | John La Barbera Big Band | 7:22 | $0.99 | View In iTunes |
| 3 | Tiger of San Pedro | John La Barbera Big Band | 4:26 | $0.99 | View In iTunes |
| 4 | Message from Art | John La Barbera Big Band | 7:16 | $0.99 | View In iTunes |
| 5 | Walk On the Wild Side Suite | John La Barbera Big Band | 10:36 | Album Only | View In iTunes |
| 6 | Cachaca Gotcha | John La Barbera Big Band | 5:19 | $0.99 | View In iTunes |
| 7 | Eleanor Rigby | John La Barbera Big Band | 10:32 | Album Only | View In iTunes |
| 8 | Clothe of Silver - Threads of Blue | John La Barbera Big Band | 6:17 | $0.99 | View In iTunes |
| 9 | Highland Crossing | John La Barbera Big Band | 6:07 | $0.99 | View In iTunes |
| Total: 9 Songs |
Album Review
The son of a pianist and bassist and the brother of drummer Joe La Barbera and tenor saxophonist Pat La Barbera, John La Barbera was originally a trumpeter who became a skilled arranger/composer and an important educator. For this set, he utilizes a 16-piece orchestra that features such soloists as trumpeter Clay Jenkins (who is in top form), tenor saxophonist Bob Sheppard, altoist Kim Richmond, pianist Bill Cunliffe, both of his siblings, and (on "Mayreh") guest altoist Bud Shank. The writing is conventional if advanced, but the material is superior and there are surprises along the way. Highlights include the ten-and-a-half-minute "Walk on the Wild Side Suite" (which composer Elmer Bernstein praised), Horace Silver's "Mayreh," a particularly inventive reworking of "Eleanor Rigby," and a tribute to Art Blakey ("Message from Art") composed by Joe La Barbera. This set is easily recommended to fans of modern big bands.
Recent Customer Reviews
Impressed with Fantazm
by Mr. GRCJohn LaBarbera's "Fantazm" is an excellent album. The original material is what truly shines here, although the title track is also of very high quality (it is a transcription of an under-appreciated piece by Duke Ellington). My favorite track, "Pythodd Fellows," is soulful with the kind of emotion only a Hammond B3 can give. The interplay between organ and ensemble is seamless, the saxophone intonation impressive. Another favorite is the fourth track, "My Love and I (Love Theme from 'Apache')" because of the sensitive playing, incorporating Bass Clarinet, Clarinet and Flute into the standard instrumentation. The weakest track on the album is not because of the playing, but because of the poor choice of material. The arrangement of the 80's rock song "Kyrie" should have been left out, though its inclusion shouldn't be a reason to avoid the album. As a high school Band Director enamoured with Big Band Jazz, I strongly encourage my students to purchase this album, along with the older "Walk on the Wild Side." Buy it and enjoy!
Top Albums and Songs by John La Barbera Big Band
| Name | Album | Time | Price | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tiger of San Pedro | "ON the WILD SIDE" Grammy Nominee 2004 | 4:26 | $0.99 | View In iTunes |
| 2 | Tiger of San Pedro | On the Wild Side | 4:26 | $0.99 | View In iTunes |
| 3 | Pythodd Fellows | Fantazm | 8:41 | $0.99 | View In iTunes |
| 4 | Fantazm | Fantazm | 8:02 | $0.99 | View In iTunes |
| 5 | So What | On the Wild Side | 7:22 | $0.99 | View In iTunes |
