Play the Big Five

by The Houdini's

Overview

The Houdini's are a European sextet who usually play their own originals. For this frequently tongue-in-cheek effort, the musicians explore music by composers whom they call "the Big Five": Richard Rodgers, Irving Berlin, Cole Porter, George Gershwin, and Jerome Kern. Although the melodies always appear somewhere along the way, some of the renditions are rather riotous and even a bit satirical, particularly the version of "My Romance," which has some very forceful tenor playing from Barend Middelhoff. Unusual tempos and rhythms are given to some of these songs (ballads sometimes become romps and vice versa), but one gets the impression that these musicians could be quite effective if they played it straighter. Trumpeter Angelo Verpiogen is particularly impressive, sometimes hinting at Miles Davis but in his own melancholy style. This set is worth investigating, although it falls short of being the Houdini's' most essential work. ~ Scott Yanow

Product Details

Release Date:	01/01/1995
Label:	Challenge Records
UPC:	8712604700270
Rank:	184347

Tracks

1. My Romance
2. How Deep Is The Ocean
3. What Is This Thing Called Love
4. Someone To Watch Over Me
5. Begin The Beguine
6. Slap That Bass
7. You're Laughing At Me
8. Yesterdays
9. Dearly Beloved
10. Spring Is Here
11. Strike Up The Band
12. My Funny Valentine

Album Credits

Performance Credits

The Houdini's   Primary Artist
Erwin Hoorweg   Piano
Barend Middelhoff   Sax (Tenor)
Bram Mijland   Drums
Marius Beets   Double Bass,Bass
Angelo Verploegen   Trumpet
Rolf Delfos   Sax (Baritone),Sax (Alto)

Technical Credits

Otto Harbach   Composer
Harry Van Dalen   Mixing
Marius Beets   Mixing
Robin Freeman   Engineer,Mixing
Richard Rodgers   Composer
Angelo Verploegen   Producer,Mixing
Henry Van Bergen   Assistant Engineer
Johnny Mercer   Composer
Lorenz Hart   Composer
Ira Gershwin   Composer
George Gershwin   Composer
Cole Porter   Composer
Irving Berlin   Composer
The Houdini's   Liner Notes
Sander Van Der Heide   Mastering
Jerome Kern   Composer