Jazz Scene USA - Shelly Manne and His Men / Shorty Rogers and His Giants

Rating:
Summary: Good, Safe Jazz
Review: There is nothing wrong with thid DVD. The players are great, I love Shelly Manne, and collect his albums. This was also a good intro to Shorty Rogers for me. The players are excellent, the video sharp, the sound good. But I think since they were playing for a TV audience, they kept things a bit too safe. If I was at a bar watching this, it'd be out of the corner of my eye while I chatted and sipped my drink. It just didn't grab me like the albums do. But it is fun to watch just for the nostalgia - I just won't be watching it very much.

Rating:
Summary: Shelly is the man!
Review: This DVD is a must for any drummer of any age! Watching Shelly play is a lesson in musicality, taste, and finess. The personel with which he surrounds himself are exceptional also. Words cannot express the learning experience you get when you watch this DVD. My only regret is that there isn't a split screen so you could always see what Shelly is doing while watching the other musicisns.

Rating:
Summary: Good shelly and Great Shorty
Review: This entry in the superb Jazz Scene USA series is a great one for Shelly Manne fans, as this was one of his strongest bands:Conte Candoli, Richie Kamuca, Russ Freeman, Monte Budwig and Shelly. This was one Shelly Manne band when the front line was the equal of the rhythm. They play several items from their recent Contemporary lps such as music from the Checkmate TV show.
The Shorty is very very interesting, for here Shorty is coming to grips with the modal music that was around then. It features STRONG rhythm (Lou Levy, Gary Peacock, Larry Bunker (yes a Bill Evans rhythm section)) and a guy who didn't make a big name Gary LeFebvre, who plays sax and flute. Sound is different from Shorty's usual Giants bands and is MUCH less effete. Well worth seeing for the great music and tasty presentation.