Prologue/Something’s Coming/Maria/America/Tonight/Cool/I Feel Pretty/Officer Krupke/Taunting Scene/ Somewhere- Finale
Kenton’s West Side Story enabled jazz bandleader and pianist Stan Kenton to win a Grammy for best jazz album for his interpretations of some of the finest tunes from Leonard Bernstein’s smash stage show. (US:16)
“Take a marvellous Bernstein score and give it to collaborators Stan Kenton and Johnnie Richards and you end up with a sum greater than the parts. All of the fire, fun, beauty and emotion of Leonard Bernstein's monumental creation are captured for the ages on this LP."
“This is absolutely one of the most innovative interpretations of an American classic you will ever hear. Even if you have no idea of the contribution of Stan Kenton, it is virtually impossible not to be thrilled with this recording. For fans of Kenton, fans of Bernstein, or fans of band music, this is a sure winner.”
“Kenton's version of West Side Story is a free interpretation; arrangements, phrasing, and rhythms are altered to fit Kenton's exotic style. For example, the prologue from the opening scene is played with a relaxed shuffle beat, not the tense syncopated rhythms and phrasing that Bernstein intended. One does not tamper with a work of a genius without incurring the risk of degrading it. Fortunately, in this case, Kenton can be forgiven, because this is his band at its best.”
“Lovers of big band jazz and serious brass sections will truly enjoy this. You will recognize the melodies immediately, and will be literally blown away by Kenton's orchestra. You won't hear the original soundtrack again without a small feeling of regret that these arrangements didn't make it into the movie.”
“The score plays right into Stan Kenton's strengths: the music has a certain complexity and there's plenty of opportunity to blast the hell out of your ears.” “This is an absolutely stunning album. If you are 'into' high-register trumpet playing, your jaw will be on the floor after the first shake in the Prologue. And then you realize that it was just a small, throwaway taste of what they can do.”
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