JOv2
Well-Known Member
In the heart of the CD era, the bulk of Kenton’s catalogue was the recipient of a fairly comprehensive reissue campaign via Capitol (notable '50s/'60s titles), GMP—Crescendo ('70s titles) and Collector’s Choice (off-beat Capitol titles). About one month ago the Kenton switch went ON in my head and so I spent the last three weeks maximizing my Kenton collection.
Although Kenton maintains a fairly large following, he polarizes interested music connoisseurs to significant degree, as a result there are plenty of M and NM CDs out there in the $6-12 range. (The multitude of NMs come from that rather large group of curious onlookers who plunked down $15.99 on a given Kenton title at Borders back in the early 2000s and played only about 16 minutes of it...hating every second before taking it off.) I run hot and cold with Stan; at its worst I get a headache with five screech-and-reach trumpets playing fff above high-C. At its best, the unique and fascinating arrangements are memorable, compelling and provide endless fascination — particularly for those of us who fancy trombones and trumpets over the saxophone family. My favorite periods are the early '50s (innovations orchestra) the mid/late '50s (swing/dance book era) and the '70s (lab band era)
The one CD sans the cover art is a Qobuz download. I’ve covered all Kenton eras with the exception of the early pre-1950 daunting years and the mid-'60s Wagner / Neophonic period. (Note: Adventures In Jazz and Adventures In Blues, both largely cut in DEC61, have our friend Pat Sanatore on double bass. Man, dig his note choice and ensemble interplay -- hard to believe this is the same cat coasting on all that root-V stuff for Herb from '65-69.)
Although Kenton maintains a fairly large following, he polarizes interested music connoisseurs to significant degree, as a result there are plenty of M and NM CDs out there in the $6-12 range. (The multitude of NMs come from that rather large group of curious onlookers who plunked down $15.99 on a given Kenton title at Borders back in the early 2000s and played only about 16 minutes of it...hating every second before taking it off.) I run hot and cold with Stan; at its worst I get a headache with five screech-and-reach trumpets playing fff above high-C. At its best, the unique and fascinating arrangements are memorable, compelling and provide endless fascination — particularly for those of us who fancy trombones and trumpets over the saxophone family. My favorite periods are the early '50s (innovations orchestra) the mid/late '50s (swing/dance book era) and the '70s (lab band era)
The one CD sans the cover art is a Qobuz download. I’ve covered all Kenton eras with the exception of the early pre-1950 daunting years and the mid-'60s Wagner / Neophonic period. (Note: Adventures In Jazz and Adventures In Blues, both largely cut in DEC61, have our friend Pat Sanatore on double bass. Man, dig his note choice and ensemble interplay -- hard to believe this is the same cat coasting on all that root-V stuff for Herb from '65-69.)