Classic 70s Rock Tunes Arranged for Big Band
October 4th, 2007
If you are a lover of classic 70s rock bands, and a lover of big band jazz, you’re going to love what Ryan Fraley and the guys down in Indianapolis have been working on. Ryan emailed me a few months ago and leaked news of a project he was working on with some sample mp3s of the charts. I wanted to let you guys know then, but he wanted to keep it under wraps until now.
Ryan has taken some classic rock tunes and arranged them for big band – and the results are amazing! I think they came out better than the originals, but I’m biased to the jazz side somewhat. My favorite band from the 70’s was Yes. Rick Wakeman was my non-jazz hero as well. I thought it was cool that a guy could be such a virtuoso on the piano and be a long haired beer drinking rock star. Anyway, take a listen to some cuts from this interesting big band record. Get on the mailing list and buy this thing when its released. CLICK HERE to listen
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brilliant…we need more of this kind of material.
There is also a company in the UK publishing lifts of some of the Phil Collins Big Band charts and tunes off Paul Anka’s “Rock Swings” album. Power House Publications
We really do need more of this kind of repertoire. As the audience for the old 30s and 40s stuff die, we have to update the big band or it too will follow.
Sounds great! I´m also familiar with the Phil Collins Big Band. I have to ask myself when the music ceases to be Big and Music?
The Phil Collins Big Band worked well although the end result was kind of like “Earth Wind & Fire” and unless arranged in the right idiom any Rock song also has the danger of sounding lke a Dance Band arrangement!
We of course have to move forward and can´t remain in the 40s/50s. My point is this, the melody must be right, by just adding jazz harmony to any tune doesn´t neccessarily bring it into the jazz idiom and in turn doesn´t make it Big Band Jazz. I think Ryan Frayley has done a great job !