Buddy Rich – Mr. Drums: The Buddy Rich Collection 1946-55 – 3CD

Jazz drummer Buddy Rich is famous as one of the most extrovert and impressive instrumentalists of his day, known for his virtuoso technique, power and speed, and one of the most influential drummers in the genre. Born in 1917, the son of a vaudevillian couple, he was immersed in the drums from a very early age, as well as being a singer and tap dancer. Having played with Artie Shaw, Bunny Berigan and Tommy Dorsey from the late 1930s, he served in WWII, he was with Dorsey until Frank Sinatra helped finance Rich to form his own orchestra in 1946. This 59-track 3-CD set comprises most of his studio recordings with his own band through 1946-47 for Mercury and on V-Disc, plus selected recordings through to 1955 with his own groups and with bands and small groups led by Charlie Parker, Flip Phillips, Count Basie, Bud Powell, Oscar Peterson, Ray Brown, Lionel Hampton, Teddy Wilson, Roy Eldridge and Harry James, variously appearing on the Mercury, Clef, Norgran, Verve, Pablo and Columbia labels. It features performances alongside many notable musicians of the era, including Nat King Cole, Buck Clayton, Hank Jones, Clark Terry, Harry ‘Sweets’ Edison, Benny Carter, Barney Kessel, Buddy De Franco, Herb Ellis, Ben Webster, Art Tatum, Illinois Jacquet and many more. Featuring Rich performing in a variety of musical environments, including some of Buddy’s vocal outings, it’s an entertaining showcase for his legendary versatility and prowess.

Track Listing:

CD1:
Buddy Rich And His Orchestra: 1. Quiet Riot -   2. A Little Handicap -  3. Dateless Brown -   4. You Got Me Crying Again -   5. Desperate Desmond -   6. It Couldn't Be True -   7. Quiet Riot -   8. Baby, Baby All The Time -   9. Route 66 -   10. The Iggidy Song -   11. It's About Time -   12. Ready To Go Steady -   13. Rich-Ual Dance -   14. Oop Bop Sh'bam -   15. Nellie's Nightmare -   16. Daily Double -   17. What Is This Thing Called Love? -   18. I Believe -   19. Just You, Just Me -   20. A  Man Could Be A Wonderful Thing -   21. Four Rich Brothers [Four Brothers]

CD2:
Buddy Rich And His Orchestra: 1. The Carioca -   Charlie Parker Quartet: 2. Star Eyes -   3. Blues (Fast) -   Flip Phillips Quartet: 4. Lover -   5. Flip’s Boogie -   Count Basie Octet: 6. Neal’s Deal -   7. The Golden Bullet -   Bud Powell Trio: 8. Hallelujah -   9. Tea For Two -   Charlie Parker Quintet: 10. Bloomdido -   11. Leap Frog -   Ray Brown Septet: 12. Blue Lou -   Flip Phillips Septet: 13. Bebe -   14. Bright Blues -   Charlie Ventura's Big Four: 15. After You've Gone -   Count Basie Sextet: 16. Lady Be Good -   17. Count's Organ Blues -   Flip Phillips Trio: 18. The Carioca -   19. Take The "A" Train -   Teddy Wilson Trio: 20. Lady Be Good -   Harry James and His Orchestra: 21. Palladium Party -   Lionel Hampton Quartet: 22. Airmail Special -

CD3:
Lionel Hampton Quartet: 1. How High The Moon -   Harry James and His Orchestra: 2. Hernando’s Hideaway -   Buddy Rich All Stars: 3. Sweets' Opus No. 1 -   4. Bongos, Bass And Guitar -   5. That's Rich [Strike It Rich] -   6. Sporting Life [Sweetie Pie] -   New Jazz Sounds: 7. Just One Of Those Things -   Roy Eldridge Little Jazz: 8. Sweet Georgia Brown -   The Lionel Hampton-Art Tatum-Buddy Rich Trio: 9. This Can't Be Love -   Buddy Rich Quintet: 10. Sonny And Sweets [Blues In The Closet] -   11. The Two Mothers -   12. Nice Work If You Can Get It -   13. You're Getting To Be A Habit With Me -   14. Now's The Time -   15. The Yellow Rose Of Brooklyn -   16. All Sweets [Lester Leaps] -