Carnival (Maynard Ferguson album)

Carnival is the 11th album by Canadian jazz trumpeter Maynard Ferguson on Columbia Records.[1] This is yet another attempt to replicate the success of Conquistador. Another big theme song ("Battlestar Galactica"), a couple of originals, a blast from the past ("Stella by Starlight"), and a cover of "Birdland", which was well received.[2]

Carnival
Studio album by
Maynard Ferguson
Released1978
GenreJazz, jazz fusion, funk, big band
Length45:34
LabelColumbia
ProducerMaynard Ferguson
Maynard Ferguson chronology
New Vintage
(1977)		 Carnival
(1978)		 Hot
(1979)
Singles from Carnival
  1. "Theme from "Battlestar Galactica""
    Released: 1978

Background and production

In preparing for this album, Maynard proved once again just how keenly aware he was of what was going on in the world of music ("Fantasy" and "Baker Street" had become hits mere months before entering the studio, and "Birdland" was still growing in popularity after its debut the year before), but he was having trouble converting these sensibilities into chart success. Having taken over the reins as producer, he hedged his bets by including a couple of songs from his past, re-recording the Slide Hampton arrangement of "Stella by Starlight" (originally on his 1959 release "A Message from Birdland", which featured Joe Zawinul in one of his earliest US appearances), and a new arrangement of "Over the Rainbow" (the original was recorded for the 1956 release "Dimensions", after recording it as part of Charlie Barnet's band years before).[3]

Critical reception

AllMusic's Scott Yanow wrote "Maynard Ferguson's version of "Birdland" from this LP was a bit of a hit and he fares fairly well on "Stella by Starlight" and "Over the Rainbow," but overall this typically commercial Columbia album is of lesser interest."

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic [2]

Reissues

In 2003, Carnival was reissued by Wounded Bird Records.[4]

Track listing
  • Maynard Ferguson: Trumpet solos on all tracks except "Baker Street" (Flugelhorn)
Side one
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."M. F. Carnival" (Arranged by Nick Lane, Guitar Solo: John Qdini, Micromooog Synthesizer: Biff Hannon, Piccolo: Bob Militello)Maynard Ferguson, Nick Lane6:05
2."Fantasy" (Arranged by Gordon Johnson, Piccolo Trumpet: Joe Mosello)Maurice White, Eddie del Barrio, Verdine White4:21
3."Theme from Battlestar Galactica" (Arranged by Nick Lane, Flute: Militello)Stu Phillips, Glen A. Larson5:56
4."Stella By Starlight" (Arranged by Slide Hampton, Trombone Solo: Phil Gray, Alto Solo: Mike Migliore)Victor Young, Ned Washington7:15
Total length:23:37
Side two
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Birdland" (Arranged by Nick Lane, Tenor Solo: Eric Traub, Guitar Solo: Qdini)Joe Zawinul5:38
2."Baker Street" (Arranged by Biff Hannon, Alto Solo: Migliore, Bass Guitar: Gordon Johnson)Gerry Rafferty6:50
3."How Ya Doin' Baby" (Arranged by Hannon, Guitar Solo: Qdini)Ferguson, Biff Hannon4:00
4."Over the Rainbow" (Arranged by Hannon, Flute Solo: Militello)Harold Arlen, E.Y. Harburg5:29
Total length:21:57

Personnel

The MF Band

Additional musicians

Vocals
  • Maretha Stewart
  • Hilda Harris
  • Barbara Massey
  • Yolanda McCullough
  • Vivian Cherry

Production

Management
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References
  1. Ferguson, Maynard (1978). Carnival (album). Columbia. JC 35480.
  2. Yanow, Scott. Carnival at AllMusic. Retrieved July 11, 2015.
  3. Charlie Barnet – Classics in Jazz at Discogs
  4. Ferguson, Maynard (April 29, 2003). Carnival (album). Wounded Bird. WOU 5480.
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