This was one dollar. I have owned this and have been trying to post this for the last year and a half but for some reason or another, it always gets pulled from the rotation at the last minute. Well, no time like the present.
This record gives me a good transition into talking about my vacation that I took two weeks ago, Went to Amsterdam. It had been two years since I went last. I was kind of on the fence about going and truthfully, I was still questioning the decision two days into my trip. However, I wanted to stay somewhat familiar with the city and if I did not go, it would be another two years or so for the next trip. By the end of the trip, I was pretty glad I went.
Weather was awful but bearable. Spent a lot of time at old places I like to go to. I also went to places where I have not been for a while. Spent many of the days down in Rembrantplein. Also spent a good amount of time at Vondelpark, Oosterark, Waterlooplein, Rozengratch, Museumplein, and the northeast area by Prins Hendikkade area. I spent the nights mostly around the Dam City Center. I went to one art exhibition, the swap meet, and the zoo among other places.
This album is led by Dolf van der Linden, a popular orchestra leader born in Vlaardingen, Netherlands in 1915. He was well known in his country wit some significant recognition throughout Europe. Known for his arrangements of popular music, he died in 1999 at the age of 83.
The alto sax solos were performed by Cees Verschoor. I do not know anything about him and for some reason was less inclined to do much research on the subject today. As far as the record goes, it is lush orchestration. Six Duke Ellington songs grace this album. I liked this the first time I listened to it. Not so much the second time. For some reason, the third time was a bit better. Other than being done by Dutch musicians, there is not much Dutch about this record. As far as music goes, it is pretty American sounding.
For a sample, I was torn between “Passion Flower”, “Passionata” and “All Too Soon”. For some reason, I went with “Passion Flower”.
As far as this record goes, meh. A bit too slow for my liking.