I am currently listening to the Duke Ellington Orchestra performing Louis Bellson's arrangement of "Skin Deep." I think Mr. Bellson was one of the first to utilize the double bass drum. The recording that I have took place between 1951 and 1952 when the Swing Era was receding into the past and the "big bands" like Count Basie were breaking up. Here is what the liner notes say about this wonderful recording:
"Louis Bellson's arrangement of Skin Deep framed his own drum artistry very
effectively. His innovative use of two bass drums was a sensation, and it enabled
him to execute then unheard-of -feats of virtuosity. Yet it was always virtuosity
under control. Everything is in place here, neat and clean, never degenerating into
bombast. The orchestra is brought in- and out- for relief and pace, and the swinging
section midway gives a fulcrum to the whole performance, one that brings this pro-
gram to a rhythmic climax."
No comments:
Post a Comment