What Are You Listening To?

[Music Head]

from my library (vinyl)



Didn't really expect this to come out this high. After all, except for one track, it is an instrumental album. Then again, jazz/big band and classical seem to be an exception to the rule. New Orleans native Al Hirt had a few hits with that smooth trumpet, the biggest being the leadoff here of Java. It gets the head moving and the foot tapping. Sorta set the mood.The lone non-instrumental track of The Best Man is a nice duet with Al and Ann Margret. With four top rated tracks and only one dud, it turned out rather good. Al started playing at the age of 6, and by 16 was playing professionaly with his friend Pete Fountain (clarinet). He graduated to spend some time playing in both Tommy Dorsey and Benny Goodmans bands. His first love was the Dixieland sound to which he returned in the 50's. Al soon signed with RCA and went on to have 22 albums listed on the Billboard charts in the 50's and 60's. The single of Java was the biggest hit, reaching #4 and netting him a grammy award in 1964. After his star faded, he opened his own nightclub in New Orleans where he remained a crowd pleaser until his death in 1999 at the age of 76.

I LIKE THIS ALBUM

Worst Track - Holiday For Trumpet

Best Track - Java

1) Java - ***
audio - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ERNdH-0OcXc
2) Stranger In Paradise - **
audio - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pf-r5moQA6w
3) Bourbon Street Parade - **
4) The Best Man - ***
audio - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J5dSglq70cM
5) Stella By Starlight - **
audio - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OfWDNTUWhzY
6) Holiday For Trumpet - *
audio - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yLZIdyse9xE
7) I Love Paris - **
8) Sugar Lips - ***
audio - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U8KWibRvn8Y
9) Poor Butterfly - **
10) Cotton Candy - ***
audio - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a1W5Iat2NXg
11) Love Makes The World Go 'Round - **
12) When The Saints Go Marching In - **

3's - 4
2's - 7
1's - 1

Grade - 2.3