Buddy Rich - Big Swing Face

Rich's second album, another live affair that swings hard from beginning to end. Newly remixed, it includes nine previously unissued tunes, doubling the amount of music. The band roars with the intensity of Rich's drums and young soloists Ernie Watts and Jay Corre. Album Description

"Classic" Buddy Rich album

"Big Swing Face" is one of Buddy's more popular albums. I would certainly describe it as a classic. I first heard Buddy Rich when I was a kid when an older cousin of mine played me some of his LPs. Needless to say, I was mesmerised, and spent the next four decades of my life as a drummer.

This CD version also contains tracks that are not on the original LP release, which I still own. Even today, this recording remains one of my all-time favourite Rich albums. You can really feel the atmosphere of the gig, and the band just groove so well. His music crossed categories, and attracted a huge audience, and even if you're not into jazz, or drumming for that matter, you will love this album.

I was fortunate enough to see the Buddy Rich Big Band on two occasions back in the 80's, and even met the great man at the second gig. He was, and still is, my drumming hero, and I feel honoured to have seen him play live. The guy was a genius. He could play things on a drumkit that were incredible, and leave even today's top Session players (Dave Weckl, Vinnie Colaiuta, etc.), shaking their heads in disbelief.

One of the many highlights on this recording is when Buddy introduces his 12 and a half-year-old daughter Cathy, onto the bandstand to sing "The Beat Goes On". It is here that you start to appreciate how much of an "entertainer" Buddy was, and audiences always loved when he got out front. Often known for his wonderful sense of humour, Buddy could charm any audience with his great wit and warmth of character.

"Big Swing Face" is a fantastic album. If I had to choose just one Buddy Rich CD that everyone should buy, this would be the one. You will be tapping your feet throughout this recording, and the music and feel of this recording just gets to you. This band is hot man! Buddy could swing like no other.

Buy it today.

Yanek September 9, 2008

the genius of not only Buddy Rich, but the entire band

You get nine extra numbers that weren't on the vinyl record. This CD is nothing short of amazing.
The way Buddy and the band back his young daughter on the Sonny and Cher tune entitled THE BEAT GOES ON is absolutely draw-dropping--in that they move something like a Swiss time piece. Tight. Tight. Tight.

I am not a musician, nor can I claim to know what it takes to create anything incredible--all I can tell you is I know when the stuff is great--because it fills you up inside and hammers you with a powerful rush that sends you soaring.

That's what the great artists do to you--and the late Buddy Rich and his Big Band pull it off and then some. July 29, 2008

A MUST for any Drum Enthusiast

Buddy's speed and crispness are simply unmatched.

This is big band material, not the traditional jazz I typically listen to.

The tightness of the band and horn arrangements is remarkable.

The additional cuts here on the remaster are a welcome addition. July 14, 2008

Ama, my heart swings like this album when I think about you!

I'm not a drummer (a Jazz guitarist actually) but Buddy Rich is one of my musical heroes. He is up there in my personal Olympo. He embodied what I believe music should be. Virtuosistic abilities, fun, attitude, adventureness, deep value, hard swing, melodic-harmonic-rhitmic richness, beautiful charts. Buddy Rich is up there to me in the history of good music, with Bird and all the best cats. In these days I am trying to buy everything I see from the man to own his full story (but he recorded a lot believe me!!). Going through the various periods I have to say that Buddy is always simply unreachable whatever he plays, but the best big band albums are to me some of the best music he recorded in his immense career. This one is fantastic. It swings hard from the beginning to the end, the chart are sublime, the program absolutly interesting 'till the last note, and the band tight and well rounded. And I don't want to say nothing about Buddy. BUDDY RICH !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Believe me, if you want stellar Jazz that swings hard, if you want to have fun with a jazz record, and if you want to buy something really precious, something that you will treasure forever, buy this album. Thank you Buddy for all the fantastic emotions your music gives me. AND YOU DUDE, BUY, BUY, BUY THIS ALBUM. (the title of this review is for your eyes only AMA) February 2, 2008

THE MAN CAN PLAY THOSE DRUMS

THIS IS ANOTHER BUDDY RICH BIG BAND ALBUM RECORDED ON THE PACIFIC JAZZ LABEL BACK IN THE 1960'S. AND LIKE THE OTHER ONES, IT IS GREAT, BUT THIS IS A LIVE ALBUM. AT THIS TIME, BUDDY'S BAND WAS TIGHT AS CAN BE, AND WITH SOME OF THE BEST SESSION GUYS FROM CALIFORNIA LIKE ERNIE WATTS, THE MUSIC REALLY SWINGS. ANOTHER GREAT ALBUM IS CALLED "THE NEW ONE", PICK IT UP IF YOU CAN FIND A COPY OF IT, AND ALSO "SOUNDS OF '66", WITH SAMMY DAVIS JR., ANOTHER FINE RECORDING. FUNNY THING, I REMEMBER WHEN I WAS A KID, OCCASIONALLY I GOT TO STAY UP LATE AND SEE THE "TONIGHT SHOW" WITH JOHNNY CARSON, AND I REMEMBER A FEW TIMES WHEN BUDDY RICH WAS ONE OF THE GUESTS, I WAS ALWAYS BLOWN AWAY WHEN HE GOT UP TO DO A NUMBER WITH THE TONIGHT SHOW BAND AND REALLY BLEW ME AWAY WHEN HE TOOK OFF ON A DRUM SOLO. AND A VERY FUNNY AND ENTERTAINING FELLOW, TOO. October 16, 2007

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