Also available as part of the 3-CD BIG BAND MASTERS on LaserLight (55 599).
Personnel includes: Buddy Rich (drums); Joe Ramano, Bob Martin (alto saxophone, flute); Steve Marcus, Pat LaBarbera, Bob Mintzer, Peter Yellin, Bill Blaut, Bob Crea (saxophone); Greg Hopkins, Charlie Davis, John Hoffman, Larry Hall, Lloyd Michels, Richard Hurwitz, Ross Konikoff (trumpet); Al Kaplan, Keith O'Quinn, Barry Maur, Gerald Chamberlain, John Leys (trombone); John Leys (bass trombone); Buddy Budson, Greg Kogan (piano); Joe Beck, Wayne Wright, Cornell Dupree, Cliff Morris (guitar); Tony Levin, Ben Brown (bass); Sam Woodyard, Ray Armando (percussion).
Recorded in New York, New York in October 1973 and June 1974.
When it came to speed, power, and dexterity, Buddy Rich was the indisputable king of the drums. It wasn't until the 1950's, when Joe Morello entered the scene, that Rich had a viable technical adversary. On EASE ON DOWN THE ROAD, from the early '70s, Rich and his Orchestra wail with the kind of conviction one came to expect from the late drumming virtuoso.
Performing now-classic big band tunes such as Don Menza's "Time Check" and "Nuttville" by Horace Silver, this incarnation of the Rich Orchestra swings with conviction, playfulness and dynamism. Tunes such as "Backwoods Sideman" "Three Day Sucker," and "Big Mac" also show Rich's surprisingly fervent proclivity for rock charts. While this album has a dated sound, it is filled with a lot of fiery drum solos, and exquisite horn work. A gem for anybody who loves vigorous, spirited big band music.
