Urbie Green- 21 Trombones

DSCN0044This a dollar.  As it was a Command record, I usually jump at the chance to snap it up.  Also, I like saying the word Tromboner, although I believe the proper term is Trombonist.

hqdefaultOn that note, Urbie Green has been called “A Trombonist’s Trombonist”.  Born in Mobile Alabama in 1926, Green has gone on to work in such bands as Gene Kruppa, Woody Herman, and Frank Carle.  He has also free lanced with Frank Sinatra, Count Basie, Dizzy Gillespie, Wes Montgomery, and so on.  He has released roughly about 30 records under his own name.  He has appeared as a guest on countless more.  He has pioneered his instrument further my working on mouthpieces, valve design, amplification, and other modifications. As of this date, he is still alive although his output slowed down considerably after the 80’s.

Urbie’s Web Page

This series of records (Vol 1 and 2) that Urbie recorded for Enoch Light and Command Records were perhaps his most notable recordings.  Coupled with 20 masters of the trombone, these records showcase both the skills of Green as well as the production qualities that Command is known for.  The arrangements are very masterful.  Besides that trombonists, the usual Command suspects are on this record.  However, the chorus of trombonists take the main spotlight.  The result is an enjoyable album with such highlights as “Timbre”, “Sunny”, Mancini’s “The Party”, “Perdido”, and “The Green Bee”.

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For a sample I went with Kenny Rogers and First Edition’s “Just Dropped In”. For those keeping score at home, this is the second Big Lebowski reference in a month.  The wah-wah of the trombones on this are awesome as well as Tony Mottola’s guitar and Bernie Leighton’s Roxychord.6a00e008dca1f0883401676116a3e4970b-250wi

I will give this a satisfactory rating.