The Tonight Show Big Band with Doc Severinsen - 1987 "Volume II"

Doc and his gang (featuring Tommy Newsom; Snooky Young and Conte Candoli) revisit 12 more big band favorites on the 1987 album, including In the Mood; Airmail Special; Stardust; Jumpin' at the Woodside; The Jersey Bounce and more.

The second of two long-overdue recordings by the Tonight Show Band has its moments, but its reliance on swing-era warhorses and the generally predictable arrangements (Bill Holman's reworkings of "The World Is Waiting for the Sunrise," "Take the 'A' Train," and "Serenade in Blue" are exceptions) are disappointments. However, there is some excellent solo space for trumpeters Doc Severinsen, Snooky Young, and Conte Candoli; tenors Pete Christlieb and Ernie Watts; and pianist Ross Tompkins. Since this legendary big band recorded so little (just three albums for Amherst), all are worth picking up.

Like so many people, I was greatly saddened to hear of the passing of the great Johnny Carson. In college, I bought the first Tonight Show Band album (well, I like all kinds of music, including jazz!! :)) and I was blown away by how great the band was. Wow. I never knew a follow-up album was released within a year.

Like the first album, this is swing music. However, for those that don't remember the Tonight Show, the band was made up of accomplished studio players who can really suuuuwwwwiiinnngggg. The band was a counterpoint in a way for the jazz generation, as was the NBC Orchestra of the 30's and 40's was for classical music. In fact, the point of the Tonight Show Orchestra was meant to be, I believe, an ironic comment on the sounds of the WWII generation.

At any rate, the Band on this show was very tight and the musicianship evident here and on the first album is outstanding.
The arrangements here are for the most part very good. Stand out tracks?...well, I believe the whole darn album is excellent. However, "In the Mood,' 'Georgia on My Mind,' 'April in Paris' 'Stardust' and 'Jumpin at the Woodside' are all great. Frankly, if you enjoy swing music and/jazz these albums are a great choice. Doc is one hell of a great trumpeter. Wow, he can cook. What else can you want? Great music and these musicians adds up to one great album.

In listening to this album, it isn't much of a stretch to say that the bands now such as the Late Show Orchestra with Paul Shaffer (GREAT rock studio musicians) and the current Tonight Show (actually, I don't really believe this band(and the current show) is all that great) are not as good. However, the TSO was just a great swing band at the height of their abilities. WOW. The Tonight Show was on TV with Carson for a reason - because the parts were better than we thought. Johnny (Sis-BOOM-Bah), Ed (Hi-oh) and Doc (I love these threads) we MISS you so much!

This was the best (creme de la creme) big band performing at the time. Doc was at his peak
and the band members were some of the top musicians in US. The jazz arrangements were innovative and today still sound fresh. This is one of my all-time favorite albums. It was a very special time for musicians and I miss this band. Doc's trumpet sound will always be an inspiration to trumpet players worldwide. If you are a big band 'afficionado', this is a must buy - you won't be disappointed!

 Track listing:

01     In The Mood     3:34
02     The Jersey Bounce     4:09
03     Georgia On My Mind     3:57
04     The World Is Waiting For Sunrise     2:56
05     Airmail Special     2:36
06     April In Paris     3:30
07     Stardust     5:19
08     Take The "A" Train     3:07
09     Do Nothing 'Till You Hear From Me     2:45
10     Serenade In Blue     2:38
11     Hamp's Boogie Woogie     3:38
12     Jumpin' At The Woodside     3:41

Personnel:

    Alto Saxophone [Lead], Flute, Clarinet – Tommy Newsom
    Alto Saxophone, Flute, Clarinet – Bill Perkins, John Bambridge
    Baritone Saxophone, Soprano Saxophone, Flute, Clarinet – Don Ashworth
    Bass – Joel DiBartolo
    Bass Trombone – Ernie Tack
    Drums – Ed Shaughnessy
    Guitar – Bob Bain, Peter Woodford
    Piano – Ross Tompkins
    Tenor Saxophone, Flute, Clarinet – Ernie Watts, Pete Christlieb
    Trombone – Bruce Paulson
    Trombone [Lead] – Gil Falco
    Trumpet [Lead], Flugelhorn – John Audino
    Trumpet, Flugelhorn – Allen Vizzutti, Conte Candoli, Snooky Young*, Maurey Harris
    Trumpet, Flugelhorn, Conductor – Doc Severinsen