Doc Severinsen & The Tonight Show Band - Once More...With Feeling! (1991)

Severinsen was the leader of The Tonight Show Band from 1967 until Johnny Carson retired in May 1992. Much like they had with similar releases in 1986 and 1987, Amherst Records got the band to record (mostly) big band classics and jazz standards. Hence the album title - one last hurrah for the band before permanently dissolving. This time, however, it's an analog recording (AAD) and they invited guest artists Tony Bennett and Wynton Marsalis to sit in on a couple of cuts.

As one would expect: great arrangements, stellar solos, and, of course, solid performances. The album was nominated for a Grammy in the category of Best Large Jazz Ensemble Performance, eventually losing to Live At The Royal Festival Hall by Dizzy Gillespie.

Even though he is a legend, I don't think Doc ever got the respect he deserved from the jazz community. Was it jealousy of a steady jazz gig or simple envy of his trademark ultra-cool wardrobe? We may never know.

Peak on the US Billboard 200 album chart: Did not chart

Tracks:

1. Honeysuckle Rose (Thomas "Fats" Waller, 1929) 3:40
2. Poor Butterfly (Raymond Hubbell, 1916) 3:41
3. Body & Soul (Johnny Green, 1930) 5:27
4. Just Friends (John Klenner, 1931) 3:54
5. I Let A Song Go Out Of My Heart (Duke Ellington, 1938) 3:59
6. Three Shades Of Blue (Tommy Newsom, 1990) 5:12
7. St. Louis Blues (W.C. Handy, 1914) 3:50
8. I Can't Get Started (Vernon Duke & Ira Gershwin, 1936) 5:33 with Tony Bennett
9. Avalon (Al Jolson, Buddy DeSylva and Vincent Rose, 1920) 4:15 with Wynton Marsalis
10. My Old Flame (Arthur Johnson, 1934) 2:40
11. Things Ain't What They Used To Be (Mercer Ellington, 1942) 5:15
12. What Is This Thing Called Love (Cole Porter, 1929) 5:49
13. Isn't She Lovely (Stevie Wonder, 1976) 3:48
14. Bugle Call Rag (Carey Morgan, Eubie Blake, 1916) 2:53

My favorite tracks are 1, 4, 7, 9, 11, and 14.

Personal Memory Associated with this CD: When I hear big band recordings, it reminds me how much I miss playing in those groups. It's been a long while since I sat in one - my best guess is 27 years - but I still remember the rush. And, for reasons that have nothing to do with the slightly-above-average trumpet playing abilities of my earlier life, my daughters-in-law and grandchildren call me "Doc." I realize that fact has nothing to do with the music on this CD, but I like to mention my beautiful grandchildren whenever the opportunity arises. 😎

Previously revisited for the blog:
Merry Christmas from Doc Severinsen and The Tonight Show Orchestra (1991)
The Tonight Show Band with Doc Severinsen, Vol. II (1987)
The Tonight Show Band with Doc Severinsen (1986)