Jazz
Recorded: "Golden Horseshoe", Disneyland, CA, July 27 & 28, 1962
Danny Alguire (cor) Ward Kimball (tb) George Probert (cl, ss) Frank Thomas (p) Dick Roberts (bj) Don Kinch (b, tu) Eddie Forrest (d)
The famous Firehouse Five Plus Two approach their tenth year as reigning favorites. During the past decade they have survived mambo, fast waltzes, cha-cha-cha, polkas, rhythm and blues, mood music, calypso and, currently rock n' roll, without yielding an inch. They remain the nation's favorite jazz band, waving the Dixieland flag, true to the lively tradtions of two-beat jazz. Since the Disneyland engagement offered a chance to record the FH5 under ideal circumstances, GTJ took its microphones to the stage of the Golden Horsehoe to capture the band "live" in its natural habitat - its first "in Person" recording. You hear it all: Ward's announcements, the enthusiastic response of the audience, and of course, the music. The performances are "king size" - the soloists have ample room to "stretch out" - and the result is a wonderfully spontaneous forty minutes of entertaining jazz.
--- Lester Koenig, November 12, 1962
It was only fitting that the Firehouse Five Plus Two would eventually record at Disneyland, for all of its members had important day jobs at Disney. This CD reissue (which has the same music as the earlier LP) was the popular group's only truly live record, and they play a variety of often-rambunctious crowd pleasers. Highlights include a humorous version of "Anvil Stomp," "Lassus Trombone," "Coney Island Washboard" and "Tiger Rag."
--- Scott Yanow, All Music Guide |
