Big City Sounds is an album by The Jazztet, led by trumpeter Art Farmer and saxophonist Benny Golson, featuring performances recorded in 1960 and originally released on the Argo label.[1]
| Big City Sounds | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
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| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | 1960 | |||
| Recorded | September 16, 19 & 20, 1960 | |||
| Studio | Nola's Penthouse, New York City | |||
| Genre | Jazz | |||
| Length | 39:56 | |||
| Label | Argo LP 672 | |||
| Producer | Kay Norton | |||
| Art Farmer chronology | ||||
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| Benny Golson chronology | ||||
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Music
edit"The Cool One" is a medium tempo piece by Golson that was intended to be a commercial success, as "Killer Joe" had been on the Jazztet's previous album, Meet the Jazztet.[2]: 4–5 "Blues on Down" is also by Golson, and was originally performed for his album The Modern Touch.[2]: 5 Golson added 16 written bars to the version of "Hi-Fly" recorded for Big City Sounds, which is faster than usual.[2]: 5 Farmer is the main feature on the jazz standard "My Funny Valentine".[2]: 5 "Wonder Why" has "a 36-bar, AABA'C form".[2]: 5 The Latin "Con Alma" also contains material added by Golson.[2]: 6 "Lament" is a feature for trombonist Tom McIntosh, while "Bean Bag" features pianist Cedar Walton.[2]: 6 The final track, "Five Spot After Dark", is a blues written by Golson when playing at New York's Five Spot.[2]: 6
Reception
editThe Allmusic review awarded the album 3 stars.[3]
| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| Allmusic |   [3] |
Track listing
editAll compositions by Benny Golson except as indicated
- "The Cool One" – 3:02
- "Blues on Down" – 6:03
- "Hi-Fly" (Randy Weston) – 5:50
- "My Funny Valentine" (Lorenz Hart, Richard Rodgers) – 4:33
- "Wonder Why" (Sammy Cahn) – 5:54
- "Con Alma" (Dizzy Gillespie) – 5:00
- "Lament" (J. J. Johnson) – 3:31
- "Bean Bag" – 4:53
- "Five Spot After Dark" – 3:18