I was raised on this. Damn near wore out this recording at 13. Still have the vinyl, but great to see it still has life here on RU-vid. Thanks for posting.
I had the honor of performing with Bill Watrous’s Manhattan Wildlife Refuge big band from 1973-’74. I left the band to start my road gig with the Joffrey Ballet. Bill’s first album (Tiger of San Pedro) was recorded shortly afterward. Bill died a few years ago. He was a great person & musician.
Had the honor of having a couple of trombone lessons with Bill Watrous lately. He's a great guy and super talented individual. I grew up listening to his music and was floored at his tone and technique. I don't know how many times I've replayed his music.
Rob Stewart, thewell known brass repair specialist, told me a great Watrous story. Bill came into the shop and the slide of his Mt. Vernon Bach was just mangled. Bill was cleaning his horn in a hotel room. He decided to point the slide at the ceiling light to see if there was a small dent or debris causing drag ---- and the ceiling fan caught the bottom of the outer slide, took it for a couple of rotations and pitched it into the wall.
Timestamps: Dirty Dan - 0:00 Quiet Lady - 6:48 The Tiger of San Pedro - 12:06 Somewhere Along Way - 16:59 T-S T-S - 21:32 Passion at Three O'clock - 29:35 Sweet Georgia Upside Down - 38:02
My favorite big band album of all time. Just freakin' awesome. Of course, it helps that I was a trombone player and huge Bill Watrous fan. So I may not be the most objective reviewer. But I grew up listening to this album - my Dad, a trombone player himself, bought it and we listened to it on his Altec Voice of the Theatre speakers.
James Montanus This album changed my conception of big band when I started studying music, I find very important people know this wonderful work, but whenever possible buy discs this post is to disclose this great work
Been listening to big bands since 1950 when I discovered Billy May. Great album which I haven't heard before. Love trombone and Bill. He reminds me of Urbie Green. Anyone know the trumpet player on track one. Sounds like Arturo Sandoval.
Will C Thank you Will I'll look him up. Big trumpets like those in Stan Kenton's bands were beginning to disappear till Arturo Sandoval came on the scene. So I started d to listen to Tito Fuentes and other Latin bands and was amazed at the range and flexibility of some of the trumpeters.
The song here is actually called DIRTY DAN and not The tiger of San Pedro . Dirty Dan name sake tribute to the trumpeter Danny Stiles who plays the solo lines on the tune
