Why I waited so long to purchase this classic is as much of a mystery to me as Verve's slowness to publish and promote a newly remastered edition. Rate this one along with Ellington at Newport '56 and Basie at Newport '57 as one of the truly memorable recorded occasions of that 50-year-old festival. It also may be the most satisfying, representative album by the ebullient, many-faceted Mr. Gillespie.
There are numerous listeners who didn't come to Dizzy until the late 1960's and later when, like Louis, he was depending increasingly on showmanship and humor (often admittedly less hip than sappy) along with congas, vocals, and shortened, underpowered (but never uninventive) trumpet solos. To those Gillespie-ites who insist Diz was more virtuosic, daring and even musical than Bird, let this Newport set provide further evidence for their case; to those Diz devotees who feel that Miles may have gotten unwarranted marquee treatment at the expense of the greater star, I'm afraid the comparative neglect of this album can only sharpen their point.
Sure, the band is a trifle ragged in spots, but the fast tempos, erratic programming, improbable mix of the personal, the historical, the exotic, the eccentric, the dramatic, and the sheer excitement of pyrotechnics used not for display but to create aesthetic tension all make for one of the most engaging big band performances on record. And through it all Diz does what he does best--"play" with the music. Music even as supercharged as this should be fun, and Diz like Mozart the master player, is the genius who never allows his art to be anything more nor less than a captivating game.
His trumpet work on "Dizzy's Blues" and "Cool Breeze" is spectacular yet effortless at the same time. "School Days" and "Doodlin'" are colorful party balloons for his audience. His performance of "I Remember Clifford" as well as his thoughtful presentation of Mary Lou Williams betray the man's respect for tradition and his compulsion to balance the manic with the mannered. And his generous solo space to protege Lee Morgan on "Night in Tunisia" speaks volumes about his bigness as a human being as well as a musician.
Last but not least, Al Grey leaves not a shred of doubt about who was the most spirited big band trombone soloist in the history of jazz.
August 5, 2004 |  | "We'd like to open up this set, ladies and gentlemen... |  |
One of the top 10 jazz CDs, in my opinion, this catches Dizzy's "State Dept." big band of the mid 50s LIVE, with arrangements by Benny Golson and with Al Grey, Wynton Kelly, a young Lee Morgan, and - as Dizzy tells you at length...the star of the band...PEE WEE MOORE. OK, well, the set opens up smokin' with "Dizzy's Blues", and if Diz ever played better I have yet to hear it. The band then launches into "School Days", which serves as a double 'take-off'. First, Diz shows the Newport audience that he, as well as the Duke, can whip an audience into a frenzy; and secondarily spoofing the 'one note ride' that had become prevalent in jazz as well as R&B to the point of absurdity. However; as absurd as Diz tries to make it, it still works wonders with a great band blowing changes behind it. "Doodles" is the Pee Wee Moore send-up...Golson's "I Remember Clifford" is truly memorable and "Cool Breeze" catches the band roaring again. Mary Lou Williams comes out and is featured, as mentioned by the previous reviewer. The highlight of the set, for me, is the live, wide-open version of "Manteca" - the best version on record even without congas. Diz sort of ends with "A Night In Tunisia", then clowns the REAL end of the show. This set is memorable for all the things that jazz should be - great playing, great showmanship, and tremendous fun. It is a must have CD.
August 29, 2003| | | His best? Quite possibly... | |
A year after Duke Ellington brought the house down at the Newport Jazz Festival, Dizzy came back and did it, too. The big band captured on this disc, the one Dizzy traveled around the world with for the State Department, may arguably have been his best, featuring Al Grey, Ernie Henry, Benny Golson, Pee Wee Moore, Wynton Kelly, and a young Lee Morgan on trumpet. The energy and volume of the orchestra on tunes such as Dizzy's Blues, Manteca, and Cool Breeze is truly incredible. Benny Golson's recently composed 'I Remember Clifford' is given an appropriately somber and moving arrangement. Mary Lou Williams comes out of semi-retirement to play piano on 'Carioca' and three selections from her own 'Zodiac Suite'. The biggest treat on this album, though, is a funky, often hilarious run-through of Horace Silver's 'Doodlin', where baritone legend Pee Wee Moore shows everybody the true meaning of minimalism. And the playing of John Birks himself has never been better, roaring above the rest of the band at will with machine-gun speed and harmonic precision. Trumpeter Lee Morgan has a breakthrough performance when Dizzy gives him the solo for Night in Tunisia, and Morgan responds admirably. This CD reissue is always exciting, often funny, and absolutely essential.
July 15, 2000this is a must have disc.all of the genius elements that made dizzy the genius that he is can be found on this disc.his style his humor are all on display in ther fullest zenith.
November 21, 1999This album is a great example of Dizzy's showmanship and humor. You can tell everyone is having fun. Because of this it is accesible to anyone, jazz enthusiast or not. An essential in a record collection.
September 11, 1999More reviews at Amazon.com ...
