Bill Watrous - The Tiger of San Pedro

First time on CD for this 1975 album from the Jazz trombonist, one of only two Big Band albums he recorded in the '70s. Featuring musical assistance from Danny Stiles, Tom Garvin and Derek Smith. Also available: Manhattan Wildlife Refuge. The same fans that buy all our Maynard Ferguson reissues have been screamin' for these! Wounded Bird. 2007. Album Description

BIG BAND SOUNDS FROM THE 70'S

I HAD THIS LP WHEN IT CAME OUT IN THE MID '70'S, I AM VERY GLAD IT IS FINALLY AVAILABLE ON CD AFTER ALL THIS TIME. BILL WATROUS IS A PHENOMENAL TROMBONE PLAYER. THIS IS A GREAT BIG BAND ALBUM IF YOU LIKE THE MODERN BIG BAND SOUNDS OF BUDDY RICH AND MAYNARD FERGUSON, THEN YOU WILL DEFINITELY ENJOY THIS RELEASE AS WELL. October 1, 2008

still excites the listenerstill exciting to listen

still exciting to listen to wish watrous would rerecord with today's sound , his playing is extroadinary !! October 17, 2007

A sequel at least as good as the original

Bill Watrous proved that his successful 1974 release "Manhattan Wildlife Refuge" was no fluke by producing this outstanding album a year later. Once again we find great arrangements, superb solo work, and an ensemble even tighter than on their previous outing, if that's possible.
The band kicks into high gear with "Dirty Dan" (featuring Danny Stiles on trumpet), "The Tiger of San Pedro," "T.S., T.S.," and my favorite of the up-tempo tunes, "Sweet Georgia Upside Down." The band's seductive ballad sound is displayed in "Quiet Lady" and "Somewhere Along the Way." "Passion at Three O'Clock" is an interesting piece, over eight minutes long, that starts out mellow and changes to straight-ahead swing after about two and a half minutes.
This is an excellent example of the work of this virtuoso trombonist early in his career, a foreshadowing of great things to come. Be sure to check out other recordings available from his more than three decades of productivity. September 3, 2007

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