2 LPs on 1 CD 24 BIT DIGITALLY REMASTERED STEREO Composer, arranger and trumpeter Gerald Wilson has recorded big band albums of extraordinarily consistent brilliance throughout his remarkable and enormously long career. And those he made in the 1960s represent one of several peaks. On both "You Better Believe It!" and its worthy follow-up "Moment of Truth," Wilson's writing is personal and uncluttered; he resists the temptation to deploy all his forces at once, building logically to climactic tutti passages, dealing mostly with blues and groovy originals. The orchestra, made up of top West Coast men, generates a strong drive, plays cleanly and precisely, and was blessed with fine soloists. Holmes is impressive with a big band shouting behind and around him. Carmell Jones, who is also heavily featured, shows he was a thinking young musician. But as good as them were Teddy Edwards, Walter Benton, Harold Land, Joe Maini, Jack Wilson, and guitarist Joe Pass, who plays stunningly in every one of his featured segments. Amid this wealth of jazz talent, though, Wilson s writing, particularly on "Moment of Truth," remains the star of the show, with a harmonic sophistication that is never exercised at the expense of jazz virtues like groove, drive and swing.
D**Y
Is This The Moment of Truth (for Big Band Jazz)? You'd Better Believe It!
These were among the best albums released by Pacific Jazz, 1954 & 1961 respectively. They figuratively blew the roof off of the Lighthouse in Hermosa Beach during those early years. I mean 17 musicians in a club that that held 20 people (just kidding)! Wilson paid his musical dues with Duke Ellington & Count Basie during his formative years in trumpet sections of those great orchestras. Then he began doing his own arrangements and ta da ... these were among his first offerings. It is an import (nothing says normalizing international relations like a good set of remastered jazz records transferred to CDs or DVDs in my humble opinion). Accompanying Wilson on these dates were Richard (Groove) Holmes on organ, Mel Lewis on drums, Harold Land on tenor sax, saxophonist Jerome Richardson, guitarist Joe Pass, Carmell Jones on trumpet, Buddy Collette on all kinds of things, and on and on ... When slipping into a blue or funky mood just start the first track "Bles For Yna Yna ". It's 6 minutes 52 seconds will lift you without adverse side effects!
M**N
Good to have these available
I am admittedly old fashioned, having started listening to jazz back in the early 1950s. So listening to Gerald Wilson's band is a pleasure - which is what jazz has almost always meant to be. These two are especially pleasurable and highly recommended for those who still like melodies and and swing and provides what I, an elderly fogy, consider jazz essentials.
A**S
Beautiful and Swinging!!!
This is some of the most beautiful and swinging Jazz I have heard in a long time. I am a newcomer to Gerald Wilson's music, but will no longer be a stranger after listening to this robust and vibrant music. I have "Theme From Monterey" in my collection and love that vibe, but this music is more intense and satisfying to my ears. It still amazes me that this music was recorded in the early 1960's. I need to go back and rediscover that period to see what other jewels I missed. Thanks American Classic Jazz for combining two awesome recordings on one disc. This music is incredible! Peace!
N**.
Timeless and still Groovin'
Gerald Wilson's first jazz recording for Pacific Jazz is outstanding!! Only topped by his second LP for that same label, Moment of Truth. It includes the classic sounds of his Jazz waltz "Blues for Yna Yna" and the piece which the album is named after, "You Better Believe It".With featured players like Harold Land, Richard "Groove" Holmes, Carmell Jones, Buddy Colette, plus other fine musicians, you can't go wrong with this purchase if you are a Jazz lover!!
E**B
10 STARS FOR GERALD WILSON
10 STARS FOR 2 CLASSIC GERALD WILSON ALBUMS FROM EARLY 60'S FROM ONE OF THE GREATEST BANDS WITHTHE "A" LIST OF MUSICIANS-HAROLD LAND -TEDDY EDWARDS-GROOVE HOLMES-JOE PASS-CARMELL JONES-MEL LEWISJOE MAINI-BUDDY COLLETTE-AND LOT'S MORE......... GREAT MUSICIANS-SUPERIOR ARRANGEMENTS-I HAVE OWNED THESE 2 ALBUMS SINCE THEY WERE RELEASED AND FORTUNATE TO SEE GERALD AT THE LIGHTHOUSE-SHELLY'S MANNE HOLE-PILGRIMAGE THEATER-UCLA ROYCE HALL.IF YOUR INTO JAZZ AND DON'T HAVE THIS CD JUST GET IT AND TURN IT UP!!!THE CD HAS FANTASTIC SOUND !!!!
S**Y
Great Music
I have been a fan of Gerald Wilson since the 1960s. I am very happy with this product
B**K
Get Gerald Wilson's "You Better Berlieve It" & "Moment of Truth Now"
I've been waiting almost 20 years for these Gerlad Wilson Recordings; I grew up with in the '60's but had lost over time..Even though I have come to love and appreciate Duke Ellington and Count Basie, Gerald Wilson is hands down my favorite big band. He is a master at bringing together the best West Coast Jazz men and obtaining big band harmony or structure with the feeling you can usually get only in a jazz combo. It swings and it drives.And, it is no longer a $400 or $45 purchase to obtain this great music. I'd get it now while you canBuck
M**.
You Better Believe It
I first heard the music on this CD at one of the first Monterey Jazz Festivals in Monterey, CA, in the early 1960s and loved it! Gerald leads his band with drive and varied tones, riffs and solos that are his alone--especially since he plays the trumpet himself. His music was a show stopper, and I never forgot it. I was very glad to find it and at a reasonable price. His music is unique. I can't compare Gerald Wilson's music with any other. You would have to listen to some of the samples of his pieces to get an idea of his music.
T**Y
You had better believe it!
I remember hearing these albums back in the late eighties at Rays Jazz and how excited I was when I got home to listen to them. The combination of a smoking Big Band and Groove Holmes Hammond organ blew me away, it was also my introduction to Teddy Edwards and Harold Land. I got the same thrill when I put the CD on today and if you like Big Band music you will love this.
M**T
Four Stars
Great arrangements and some fine soloing
J**R
Estupenda función doble.
Ha llegado sin dificultad, muchas gracias.
M**N
探していたアルバムです
６０年代の初頭に録音された２つのLPアルバムを１枚のCDに纏めたもので、リマスタリングされているので音質も良いと思います。６０年代になるとアナログ録音の技術は完成されていた様で、最近のデジタルものよりも色気があります。続いて同じGerald Wilsonの“On Stage”、“Portraits”等もリマスタリングされて発売されることを期待しています。
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