Contributed by bluebird, who writers:-
Ted Heath ran a fine big band for many years and had enormous success both in the UK, the USA and Europe - but he never claimed to have a jazz band or that he played jazz.
He played to suit the public taste of the day and if they wanted novelty numbers, attractive singers and danceable music with the odd jazz solo thrown in , then Heath played it. It was purely a commercial outfit.
He did employ many of the up and coming jazzmen in the 1940s, 1950s and 1960s. It was a good training ground, paid well and they travelled in style. There was plenty of regular work but they didn't stay too long.
This is one of the very few albums he made which could be classed as jazz and it was recognized as such amongst the jazz fraternity. Ronnie Scott, Don Rendell and Tommy Whittle, who had all played with the band at some time, rejoined the regular Heath band here as guests on one track together with Ronnie Ross who appears on another track. Other former players appear as guests throughout the lp and on one track there are as many as 8 in the trumpet section.
A fine swinging album from 1957/1958.
Ted Heath - leader
Bobby Pratt - trumpet
Bert Ezzard - trumpet
Duncan Campbell - trumpet
Eddie Blair - trumpet
Don Lusher - trombone
Wally Smith - trombone
Jimmy Coombes - trombone
Keith Christie - trombone
Ronnie Chamberlain - soprano, alto
Les Gilbert - alto
Henry MacKenzie - tenor, clarinet
Red Price - tenor
Ken Kiddier - baritone, bass clarinet
Stan Tracey - vibes, piano
Johnny Hawksworth - bass
Ronnie Verrell - drums
01 Four Fours
02 I'll Remember April
03 Sometimes I'm Happy
04 Ringside Suite
Weighing In
Seconds Out
Lady Admirer
Below The Belt
Fighting Finish
05 Stompin' At The Savoy
06 Waterloo Bridge
07 Just You Just Me
08 Out Of Nowhere
09 Taboo
Label: Decca LK 4262
Recorded: November 1957-February 1958
Lineage: LP>FLAC
Accurate assessment and summary of Mr Heath as far as I'm concerned, although I had relatives who regarded him with more reverence. This is the only lp of his which I still have and play (the BBC sessions comp also has some jazz where the musicians can stretch out and catch fire). Even Stan Tracey graduated from this college, but that makes sense when you hear him in this context.
ReplyDeleteMany thanks for posting this great Ted Heath. However, part 2 track Fighting Finish shows an error. Tried to download twice with the same result. I find mp3@320 is more reliable than flac files!
ReplyDeleteAnonymous - Part 2 has been downloaded and from it Fighting Finish (a very short track) plays with no problem. Suggest you try one more time but if still no good, let us know and we can upload as MP3. Any preference as to bit rate?
ReplyDeleteThanks bluebird for this jazzier Ted. Appreciated.
ReplyDeleteThanks BB & BB ... I'll see if this Ted Heath as good as all say ... Baron
ReplyDeleteTed Heath....thank you. What a great sounding rip!!
ReplyDeleteHi
ReplyDeleteThamk you for this great music !
I'm seeking for these 2 old records:
Big Band Themes Remembered
Big Band Themee Remembered II
performing Ted Heath & His Orchestra
For more information see the cover below:
https://sites.google.com/site/eddynat2/CoverTed-Heath-Big-Band-Themes-R-528096%5B1%5D.jpg
https://sites.google.com/site/eddynat2/CoverTed-Heath-Big-Band-Themes-R-528095%5B2%5D.jpg
eddynat@gmail.com
Thanks a bunch for this one! I'm a long time fan of Heath and his live performances in particular.
ReplyDeleteI downloaded this one yesterday and several tracks are cut off at the end and one picks up only about the last 45 seconds of the tune.
I'm also one of those who hates FLAC and much prefers MP3@320.
Anonymous. The problems you mention are in the Ringside Suite. The parts must be played together, continuously and indeed the last part is only 42 seconds. The download has been checked and is okay.
ReplyDeleteWe always offer lossless here if available, going with the best fidelity we can. You can easily convert to MP3 if you wish.
Britjazz,
ReplyDeleteThanks for Ringside Suite clarification! I'll take that into account when I burn to cd.
Tad
Great, great postings (as they all are on this site). There seems to be a problem with the part2.rar as I cannot download it.
ReplyDelete@Philip Murray. Yes, I get a problem with part 2, albeit saying it is a temporary one.
ReplyDeleteMaking some new links. They will be interchangeable with the old ones. Here soon.
Perfect! Many thanks for all the work you are putting into this site.
ReplyDeleteThank you for this one I didn't know.
ReplyDeleteBTW I'm very impressed on the quality of Keating's compositions.
I searched on Google for any of his works.
I've grabbed "English Jazz" on your place.
Anyway, wouldn't you have "The Keating Sound" and consider the possibility of post it?
All the compositions that I heard of him are remarcable:
Eloquence, Send for Henry, Bass in the hole (wow!!!) & Henry IX
cvllos - The Keating Sound was recorded in 1966 so at present is outside our scope - only pre-1961. Can you remind us if it has not appeared in 2017?!! Good to hear you are enjoying his work though.
ReplyDeletehttps://cjoint.net/?32b90mcyaw
ReplyDelete