Comments for Ferguson, Maynard, A Message from Newport

Like all of his albums from this period, this is sublime. The band is great and Maynard plays like a demon.

Excellent album overall. Frame For The Blues is a 10.

This is one of Maynard's 2 Newport albums (the other being Newport Suite), and they are among his best; great writing, arranging, ensamble work, and soloing. The opening number, The Fugue (absent from the CD release, but on the Mosaic collection), is exciting and intense. Slide Hampton works his ass off, trying to keep up with the other "keyed" instruments. Jimmy Ford (pre Lanny Morgan) was one hell of a soloist, and the 3 valve trombones on "Three Little Foxes" is rare treat.

This is the best album Maynard recorded while on the Roulette label. Every song on this album is fantastic. If I could only have one album of Maynard's, this would be it!

THIS IS ONE OF MAYNARD''S FINEST BIG BAND ALBUMS. SOME OF THESE CHARTS TODAY ARE CLASSICS, AND MOST BANDS PLAY. MAYNARD EVEN MADE SLIDES DERANGEMENT PART OF HIS HIT MEDELY. IF YOU ARE A MF FAN YOU NEED TO HEAR THIS ALBUM.

UK: CZ 237