The Ballad Style of Stan Kenton

Cerulli, Dom. “Music In Review. Recommended [The Ballad Style].” Down Beat 25, no. 24 (1958-11-27): 24


The Stan Kenton displayed in The Ballad Style Of Stan Kenton (Capitol T 1068) is not the Stan Kenton we're used to. It's a Kenton pitched lower, paced slower (for dancing), and only occasionally rising into fierce climaxes in the brass for which Kenton is famed. In some ways, though, it’s a satisfying set. I don't quite dig the sound of this reed sec­tion compared to Stan's earlier sections. I think the two baritones tend to make it bottom-heavy. I feel that the mournful tone of the five-trombone section needs a lighter touch in the reeds. Writing is by Dale Barnhart, and the only solos of any length are Kenton at the piano. The tunes are a dozen fine standards.

It sounds like a great band to dance to, but over the course of an LP the subdued mood gets a little wearing. But, and this is an important but, the sound of the band is distinctive. It remains one of the few non-Basie orchestras in the country. (D.C.)

Bill Coss. "Record Review. The Ballad Style of Stan Kenton." Metronome. March 1959. 34.

Stan Kenton’s The Ballad Style of Stan Kenton (Capitol T 1068) : twelve arrangements by Stan Kenton of eleven originals such as Then I'll Be Tired of You, More Than You Know, A Sunday Kind of Love, Early Autumn, The Things We Did Last Summer, etc., and one Dale Barnhart original, When Stars Looked Down. Over-all, the set should allay any fears about whether Stan could play the typical senior prom. The music is soft, gentle, langorous, full-bodied and low-tempoed. There is a great deal of older (Opus-style) Kenton here and a little bit of Claude Thornhill by way of the Impressionists. And it all sounds wondrous and warm and exciting in that way that the full-throated and wide-armed Kenton and band can be when in this loving mood. (BC)

“Record Review: The Ballad Style of Stan Kenton.” Billboard, 20 October 1958: 19.

THE BALLAD STYLE OF STAN KENTON
Stan Kenton Piano & Ork—Capitol T 1068

The Kenton crew turns to a program of ballads in their newest offering. It’s a smooth, danceable set that should move well in both pop and jazz marts. Orchestrations are excellent. Kenton’s piano is set against lush brass and reed choirs on such fare as “I’ll Be Tired of You,” “the End of a Love Affair” and “The Night We Called It a Day.” Also a fine jockey programming set.

KB. "Record Review: The Ballad Style of Stan Kenton." Jazz Journal, July 1959: 21.

THE BALLAD STYLE OF STAN KENTON
Then I’ll Be Tired of You; More Than You Know; When Stars Looked Down; The End of A Love Affair; A Sunday Kind of Love; Moon Song (19½ min.)—Early Autumn; How Am I To Know?; The Things We Did Last Summer; We’ll Be Together Again; How Deep Is The Ocean; The Night We Called It A Day (19 min.)

(Capitol ST 1068. (stereo). 12inLP. 32s. 2d.)

This is not a jazz records; it is superior dance music impeccably played by a bunch of skilled technicians. The arrangements are alluring and the whole thing has an air of professional slickness about it.

It is also a bore. All the numbers have a sameness about them (and that’s something you couldn’t say about Stan’s original band) with Kenton taking most of the solos in a doodling sort of way.

The stereo effect is pleasant but not as obvious as in some other discs from Capitol.

K.B.

Personnel and recording date not given.