Mercy Mercy - Live at Caesars Palace 1968
Buddy Rich was pumping new life into the big-band genre and enjoying a tremendous resurgence in popularity when he recorded this powerhouse group at Caesars Palace in 1968. It's a winning combination of enthusiastic young musicians, a few current pop tunes, exceptional veteran arrangers and soloists, and Rich himself, pressing the band to its limits with his volatile drumming. While it's the band itself that occupies center stage, there are also terrific individual efforts. Guitarist Walt Namuth emphasizes the funky dimension of "Mercy, Mercy, Mercy" and "Ode to Billie Joe," while the veteran altoistArt Pepperbrings soulful lyricism to the rich hues of "Alfie" and "Chelsea Bridge." Trumpeter Bill Pierce and tenorist Don Menza add several hard-swinging solos to the mix, pushed on by the powerful horn sections. From Bill Reddie's ambitious "Channel 1 Suite" toHenry Mancini's popular "Mr. Lucky," this is a great balance of big-band excitement and precision.--Adam Rains