Gary McFarland - How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying/Gloomy Sunday and Other Bright Moments (CD)

All Music Guide

Two unrelated big-band albums (which have overlapping personnel) from the same time period are combined on this single-CD: Gary McFarland's How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying and Bob Brookmeyer's Gloomy Sunday and Other Bright Moments. McFarland's eight arrangements of tunes from the show of the same name is better than expected. The only one of the numbers to catch on was "Brotherhood of Man" but McFarland's charts uplift the material and there are fine solos from such all-stars as flugelhornist Clark Terry, the tenors of Oliver Nelson and Al Cohn, pianist Hank Jones, guitarist Kenny Burrell, valve trombonist Bob Brookmeyer and altoist Phil Woods in addition to the leader/vibraphonist. Brookmeyer's set is actually the superior of the two due to the better material. Brookmeyer arranged four of the eight numbers and there are also charts by Eddie Sauter, Al Cohn, Ralph Burns and McFarland. Featured are such soloists as Clark Terry, Phil Woods, Al Cohn, vibraphonist Eddie C...osta and Brookmeyer among others; highlights include "Caravan," "Gloomy Sunday" (a feature for Woods) and "Detour Ahead." Well worth picking up. - Scott Yanow, All Music Guide Read more Less