Drummer Man Verve by Gene Krupa & His Orchestra

Drummer Man Verve

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Drummer Man Verve

Features

Audio CD (October 25, 1990)

Number of Discs: 1

Label: Polygram Records

Catalog Number: 27843

Reader Reviews
This is a fantastic session done for Verve Records in 1956 of Gene with an all-star studio orchestra featuring Roy Eldridge and Anita O'Day. The album recaptures some of Krupa's greatest hits in glorious hi-fi sound. I think drummers suffered the most from the poor recording technology of the thirties and forties, and it is to the credit of producers like Norman Granz that veterans of the Swing Era like Krupa were able to re-record their hits in living stereo sound. This album captures everything that made Krupa a legend. While Krupa had slowed down some by this time due to various health problems, his drums constantly drive the band. Krupa demonstrated that sheer musicianship is more important than technique and speed (a lesson that a lot of drummers never seemed to learn). Nevertheless, the drum breaks during "Drummin' Man" and the blistering solo on "Wire Brush Stomp" are some of the most exciting sounds ever produced on a drum set. Also well-featured in this album are the two biggest stars to have emerged from Krupa's band, Roy Eldridge and Anita O'Day. Their humorous and swinging interplay on "Let Me Off Uptown" is one of the highlights of this set. Also, Roy lights off some fireworks with his rendition of "After You've Gone" (my second favorite version of the song after the one by the original Benny Goodman Trio, complete with Gene Krupa). This album demonstrates the confident brilliance that only comes with maturity, and the fact that no one ever has or will again propel a big band like that drummin' man, Gene Krupa!

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