Art Farmer's Austrian Big Band Sound
Farmer's flugelhorn leads a large European ensemble through a warm, unhurried set.
The first thing you notice on this record is the size of the sound. A full ensemble of trumpets, trombones and reeds fills the room, and Art Farmer's flugelhorn moves through the middle of it with a smooth, round tone that never has to fight for space. The tempos are mostly relaxed, the textures layered but not crowded, and the mood leans warm and easy rather than edgy.
The band is built around a large lineup of European players, with Fritz Pauer on piano and Wayne Darling on bass providing a steady rhythmic floor under the brass and reed sections. Farmer's solos are the clearest reason to listen. He plays with a lyrical economy that suits the flugelhorn, letting phrases breathe and resolving them cleanly rather than piling on notes. Within the arrangements, the sections trade figures with him in a way that keeps the big-band writing lively without turning it busy.
This is a solid, pleasant entry in Farmer's catalogue rather than one of his defining statements. It is worth hearing for listeners who already know his small-group work and want to hear how he sounds in a larger setting, but it is not the place to start with him. Begin with his more celebrated recordings and come to this one once you know his playing well.
Who's playing
Wayne Darlingbass
Fritz Pauerpiano
Harry Peplguitar
Robert Demmertrumpet
Art Farmertrumpet
Ernst Lamprechttrumpet
Robert Politzertrumpet
Charles Bakertrombone
Roy Deuvalltrombone
Garney Hickstrombone
Willy Meerwaldtrombone
Walter Schieferpercussion
Erich Bachträglmembranophone
Karl Dreworeeds
Felix Hanusikreeds
Peter Klingerreeds
Hans Löwreeds
Hans Salomonreeds
