A Hot Night in Paris

by Phil Collins, The Phil Collins Big Band

Overview

In the latter half of the '90s, Phil Collins' career hit a bit of a sales slump, and instead of shamelessly chasing after another number one single, he decided to change pace and try something different. Returning to the drums, he assembled the Phil Collins Big Band, reviving the sound of such idols as Buddy Rich and Sonny Payne, but largely sticking with his original material. After a brief European tour in 1996 (which happened to feature Quincy Jones as conductor and Tony Bennett as vocalist), he created a new version of the band featuring several accomplished jazz and studio musicians in support -- notably alto saxophonist Gerald Albright, but also guitarist Daryl Stuermer, tenor saxophonist James Carter, and pianists George Duke and Brad Cole, among many others, in varying roles. That band toured America and Europe in 1998, and it's the one featured on the ten-song, 70-minute live album A Hot Night in Paris. Initially, it may be disarming for long-time fans (and detractors) to hear "Sussudio," "That's All," and "Against All Odds" blaring forth in brash, brassy arrangements, and it is true that the melodies can occasionally sound thin in this context, but once that first reaction passes, A Hot Night in Paris is actually entertaining. Collins doesn't try anything new with the big band form -- he just updates it with his own songs, including the Genesis chestnut "The Los Endos Suite," along with covers of Miles Davis' "Milestones" and the Average White Band's "Pick up the Pieces." As such, it's the sort of record that will inevitably irk purists, since it's targeted right at mainstream jazz audiences, ones that aren't really familiar with big band music but have a vague idea of what it sounds like, but anyone whose standards aren't quite as exacting will likely be pleasantly surprised with A Hot Night in Paris. When the band just plays -- which is quite often, since the themes are stated quickly enough so they're recognized, then they disappear -- this is swinging, accomplished music that's unpretentious and fun. It's never more than simply entertaining, but that's all it needs to be -- it's more enjoyable than any record Collins has put out in over a decade, and it suggests that this is a dignified and charming way for him to mature. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine

Product Details

Release Date:	02/01/2019
Label:	Rhino
UPC:	0603497854219
Rank:	52081

Tracks

1. Sussudio
2. That's All
3. Invisible Touch
4. Chips & Salsa
5. Hold On My Heart
6. I Don't Care Anymore
7. Milestones
8. Against All Odds
9. Pick Up the Pieces
10. The Los Endos Suite

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Phil Collins   Primary Artist,Drums
The Phil Collins Big Band   Primary Artist
George Duke   Guest Artist,Piano,Soloist
Luis Conte   Guest Artist,Soloist,Percussion
Daryl Stuermer   Guest Artist,Guitar,Soloist
Gerald Albright   Guest Artist,Vocals,Soloist,Sax (Alto)
Brad Cole   Piano,Soloist,Keyboards
Chris Collins   Soloist,Woodwind,Saxophone,Sax (Tenor),Tenor (Vocal)
James Carter   Soloist,Sax (Tenor),Tenor (Vocal)
Arturo Velasco   Soloist,Trombone
Daniel Fornero   Trumpet,Flugelhorn
John Clayton, Jr.   Flugelhorn
Tito Carrillo   Trumpet
Harry Kim   Soloist,Trumpet,Flugelhorn,Musical Director
Kevin Sheehan   Sax (Tenor),Sax (Baritone)
Al Hood   Trumpet
Mark Bettcher   Trombone,Sax (Tenor)
Doug Richeson   Bass,Double Bass,Guitar (Bass)
Matt James   Woodwind,Sax (Alto),Sax (Alto)
Alan Hood   Soloist,Trumpet,Flugelhorn
Larry Panella   Soloist,Woodwind,Saxophone,Sax (Tenor),Tenor (Vocal)
Ron Modell   Trumpet,Flugelhorn
Antonio Garcia   Trombone,Trombone (Bass)
Ian Nevins   Woodwind,Sax (Tenor)
Scott Bliege   Trombone
Tito Carillo   Trumpet

Technical Credits

Daryl Stuermer   Producer
Don Murray   Producer,Mixing,Mastering
Onnie McIntyre   Composer
John Clayton   Arranger
Sammy Nestico   Arranger
David Stout   Arranger
Peter Doell   Mixing Assistant,Assistant Engineer
Roger Ball   Composer
Phil Collins   Composer,Lyricist,Supervisor,Liner Notes,Supervising Producer
Mauricio Guerrero   Engineer
Miles Davis   Composer
Mike Rutherford   Composer
Owen McIntyre   Composer
Alan Gorrie   Composer
Dann Thompson   Mixing Assistant,Assistant Engineer
John Clayton, Jr.   Arranger
Arif Mardin   Arranger
Tony Banks   Composer
Gerald Albright   Arranger,Composer
Harry Kim   Arranger,Composer
Steve Hackett   Composer
Christophe Suchet   Engineer
Hamish Stuart   Composer
Mike Barone   Arranger
Robert Vasgien   Mastering
Malcolm Duncan   Composer
Robert Ball   Composer
Greg Burns   Mixing Assistant,Assistant Engineer
Robert Mackintosh   Composer
Robbie McIntosh   Composer
James Stuart   Composer