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"Jazz Waltz" by Shorty Rogers is just that, an interpretation of ten compositions played as waltzes. Except that these big band numbers hardly compare to those waltzes heard on Lawrence Welk's long-running television series. Rogers kicks off with a swinging number ("I'm Gonna Go Fishin'") written by Duke Ellington for the soundtrack of the movie "Anatomy of a Murder," featuring the leader's full-throated flugelhorn. The lyrical rendition of the centuries-old folk tune "Greensleeves" oscillates between the tight rhythm section and Bud Shank's superb flute solo. Rogers' delightful "Be As Children" sounds almost as if a gospel song had been adapted. The jaunty version of Ellington's "Echoes Of Harlem" with flutist Paul Horn is refreshing. Only Bobby Scott's "A Taste Of Honey" is a wee bit disappointing, simply because this arrangement is not quite as adventurous as the rest of the album. Originally released by Reprise in 1962, the record was out of print for decades.
- Ken Dryden/AMG
Bud Shank (as); Bill Perkins, Bob Cooper (ts); Paul Horn (as, fl); Shorty Rogers (flh); Bill Hood (bs); Al Porcino (tp); Joe Burnett (tp, flh); Harry Betts (tb); Lou Levy (p); Larry Bunker (vib); Joe Mondragon (b); Mel Lewis (dr); u.a.
Side One
1. I'm Gonna Go Fishin'
2. Greensleeves
3. Walk On The Wild Side
4. Witchcraft
5. Be As Children
Side Two
1. Jazz Waltz
2. Echoes Of Harlem
3. A Taste Of Honey
4. Terrence's Farewell
5. The Streets Of Laredo