You hear a few notes and it can be no other but ‘MacArthur Park’. This classic 1968 song from writer Jimmy Webb was originally recorded by Richard Harris and has since seen many a loving redition. Love him or hate him, there is no other treatment like that of the Maynard Ferguson band.
Archives: Arrangements
Arrangement set encompassing one or more Engravings
Four Brothers’ was the Woody Herman Band’s feature number for its four star sax men; Stan Getz, Zoot Sims, Herbie Stewart and Serge Chaloff. The song, written by Jimmy Guiffre has become an enduring jazz standard because of its tight harmonies and bopping melody. Although the Herman version is the most famous, ‘Four Brothers’ has seen numerous covers including vocal versions from Manhattan Transfer and Lambert, Hendricks & Ross.
Sonny West originally recorded this groovy Rockabilly number in the late ’50s but it didn’t manage to grab much traction. Enter the great Buddy Holly and his original band, the ‘Chirping Crickets’ who covered the number in ’57 and released it on their breakout album. ‘Oh, Boy!’ peaked at #10 on the US charts and as high as #3 in the UK.
Many know this Harold Arlen and Johnny Mercer Torch Song as a ballad for Frank Sinatra. We’ve spiced things up a bit with a Bluesy Fox-Trot that might have been at home with Ray Noble and his ‘Harlem Nocturne’. Sit back and let your band swing through ‘One For My Baby (And One More For The Road’. It’s full of lush harmonies and cruncy, fun chords that will keep your dancers on their toes! A new chart from PepperHorn Standards that’s sure to please!
This fun Frank Loesser round was the number that introduced audiences to three well-suited gamblers in his 1950’s production ‘Guys & Dolls’. ‘Fugue For Tinhorns’ was later recorded in 1963 by another trio of dapper Dan’s — namely Bing Crosby, Dean Martin and Frank Sinatra. The song is a great, swinging number for any vocal trio.
Spencer Williams wrote this classic piece of New Orleans in 1926 and it was been a beloved Jazz Standard ever since. Not only is it a story about carefree fun in the Cresent City, but has undertones of the struggle of Black Americans to find their place in the society of the day. The original line of ‘Basin Street — where the light and dark folk meet’ has grown to be replaced with more modern lyrics but it harkens back to a place where Black Americans could let their cares go and be ‘where the welcome’s free and dear to me’. Louis Prima, in his characteristic Jump Blues style recorded this one in a medley with ‘When It’s Sleepy Time Down South’. We’ve given a nod to Prima’s bouncy Swing with this bluesy, brassy and fun arrangement of the classic — Basin Street Blues. Give it a go — you won’t be sorry!
Sam Butera cut some great, bluesy horn numbers for RCA from 1953 and ’54. One of the great, slow groovers released on the 1989 compliation ‘Hot New Orleans Nights’ is this dirty boogie — ‘Wailing Walk’. We’ve exploded it out for the whole band to have some fun. It kicks off with a slow head into an ensemble section with open solos (including backing parts). Let your horns have some fun blowing over this great Blues!
Elvis is well known for his cover of this Carl Perkins Rockabilly Blues classic — but none reached as mass an audience as the 1974 live concert recording beamed around the world via Satellite TV — ‘Aloha From Hawaii’. We’ve charted ‘Blue Suede Shoes’ in the Aloha form and have added some snappy horns that would make the King proud. Whether an Elvis act or just a great Rock ‘N Roll band, this one will be a great addition to your lineup!
Another classic from the ‘Wings’ stable of Paul McCartney’s post-Beatles work – ‘Jet’ was another single from the band’s 1974 album ‘Band On The Run’. The song peaked at #7 on both the US and UK charts and has seen numerous covers over the years from the Foo Fighters to Maynard Ferguson. McCartney apparently attributed inspiration for the song to a horse he once owned.
Much to the surprise of many who are familiar with the tune, Frank Loesser didn’t write ‘What Are You Doing New Year’s Eve’ for any of his many, successful Broadway shows. This popular song was penned in 1947 and made the rounds of artists of the day including Margaret Whiting, Dick Haymes and Les Paul. Ella Fitzgerald recorded the number in 1960 in her branded, easy-flowing vocal style. Perfect for the holidays or a great love song for any occassion!