Artist: Charlie Ventura Album: Runnin' Wild

Year: 1998
Duration: 0:0-1

A Critical Review of Charlie Ventura's Album, Runnin' Wild

Charlie Ventura, a renowned tenor saxophonist, was an indispensable figure in the music world during his era. One of his most iconic albums was Runnin' Wild, released in 1956. The album features several tracks, each with a unique style and creativity. In this blog post, I will give you a critical review of Ventura's Runnin' Wild. I will provide a brief history of the artist, the music genre of the album, the best songs from the album, the most innovative parts of the album, and my critic of the album.

First, a brief history of Charlie Ventura. Born in Philadelphia in 1916, Ventura started his music career in the 30s, playing with popular bands like Benny Goodman and Gene Krupa. In the 1940s, he formed his band, Bop for the People, and released songs like Euphoria and Vout which became an instant hit. Ventura was known for his fast, furious, and progressive jazz styles, which he displayed in his performances. Thus, Runnin' Wild was anticipated to follow these trends.

The album, Runnin' Wild, is representative of Ventura's love for bebop, which was quite popular in the 50s. The album features several bebop tunes with terrific solos from Ventura. The album's opening track, Running Wild, is super energetic and showcases great musicianship from the band. Also, the track Slow Freight features a beautiful saxophone solo from Ventura, complemented by the trumpet, clarinet, and guitar.

The most innovative part of the album is the way Ventura and his bandmates used their instruments to deliver their sounds. Each band member brilliantly showcases his musicianship on different tracks, and their fusion is excellent. Ventura was particularly known for his fast saxophone solos, and in this album, he displayed that trait to a T. His innovative use of the saxophone in tracks like It's All Right With Me sets him apart from other saxophonists of his time.

However, Runnin' Wild is not without faults. The album reflects the thought process of an artist trying to cater to the bebop movement while staying true to his roots; hence the album lacks consistency in some parts. Some parts of the album feel like a collection of songs without proper coherence, resulting in a fragmented final product.

In conclusion, Charlie Ventura's album, Runnin' Wild, provides a fantastic insight into Ventura's love for jazz music and his exceptional musicianship. The album is a reflection of the bebop movement and Ventura's way of trying to fit in. Despite its lack of consistency, the album features some of the best saxophone solos you could ever hear. It's a must-listen for jazz lovers who want to experience the sounds of bebop in a new light. Charlie Ventura's Runnin' Wild is an excellent introduction to his music and a significant contribution to the world of jazz music.