The Walter Thompson Orchestra
«The Colonel»
«Compositions & Sound Paintings»

• Herb Robertson - trumpet
• Dave Douglas - trumpet
• Frank London - trumpet
• Steven Bernstein - trumpet
• Steve Swell - trombone
• Bob Hovey - trombone
• Jim Leff - trombone
• Thomas Chapin - woodwinds
• Phillip Johnston - woodwinds
• Allan Chase - woodwinds
• Len Detlor - woodwinds
• David Castiglione - woodwinds
• Dave Tronzo - guitar
• Rolf Sturm - guitar
• Tomas Ulrich - cello
• Joe Fonda - bass
• Pablo Aslan - bass
• Hollis Headrick - percussion
• Jim Pugliese - percussion
• Walter Thompson - woodwinds, conductor

• Herb Robertson - trumpet
• Ron Horton - trumpet
• Marshall Sealy - French horn
• Steve Swell - trombone
• Bob Hovey - trombone
• Thomas Chapin - woodwinds
• Phillip Johnston - woodwinds
• Allan Chase - woodwinds
• Michael Blake - woodwinds
• David Castiglione - woodwinds
• Dave Tronzo - guitar
• Rolf Sturm - guitar
• Boris Rayskin - cello
• Pablo Aslan - bass
• Hollis Headrick - percussion
• Walter Thompson - conductor

1. Strykers Creek   7:54
2. The Colonel   10:34
3. Scones   6:29
4. T   12:31
5. Raraima   6:44
6. SP#7   6:20
7. SP#3   5:30
8. SP#2   6:10

CD reviews

• Bruce Lee Gallanter for Downtown Music Gallery

Bruce Lee Gallanter for Downtown Music Gallery

Superb & challenging compositions and unique conduction/improvs for this all-star large ensemble led by Walter Thompson. The first half of this effort is all excellent compositions from Walter, the second half all hand conducted improv equally fascinating. The charts challenge the players to continually shift textures, layers of ideas flow through numerous strong solos. The late-great Thomas Chapin is all over this work, pulling off some incredible alto solos & blowing his magical flute spice. Thomas' alto solo on "Scones" is so gorgeous, so heartfelt, with it's riveting cry of love tone, it had me weeping once again. Guitarists Dave Tronzo & Rolf Sturm, as well as cellist Tomas Ulrich are also all over, providing an ever-changing cushion of cool bent el. strings! The other fine players include Dave Douglas, Frank London, Herb Robertson, Steve Bernstein, Phillip Johnston, Allan Chase, Steve Swell, Joe Fonda, Pablo Aslan, Boris Rayskin & Jim Pugliese. Since this recording was made in '95 & '96, both Thomas Chapin & Boris Raskin have passed and Dave Tronzo has moved to Europe indefinitely. Nice to hear them shining on this wondeful cd.

Reprinted with permission. Copyright © 2006 Downtown Music Gallery and Bruce Lee Gallanter.

CD Reviews

All reviews written by Bruce Lee Gallanter:

1. Roland Dahinden: Naima
2. Nu Band: Live at the Bop Shop, Rochester, NY
3. Nu Band: The Nu Band Live
4. Michael Musillami Trio: Dachau
5. Kevin Norton: For Guy Debord (In Nine Events)
6. Kevin Norton: Knots
7. Joe Fonda: From The Source
8. Fonda/Stevens Group: Forever Real
9. Fonda/Stevens Group: Evolution
10. Fonda/Stevens Group: Live at Alte Paketpost
11. FAB: Live at Iron Works, Vancouver, BC
12. Conference Call: Variations On A Master Plan
13. Conference Call: Live at the Outpost
14. Anthony Braxton: Ninetet (Yoshi's) 1997, Vol. 3
15. Anthony Braxton: Ninetet (Yoshi's) 1997, Vol. 1
16. Anthony Braxton: Four Compositions (Washington, D.C.) 1998
17. Joe Fonda's Bottoms Out: Loaded Basses
18. Walter Thompson Orchestra: The Colonel
19. Brandon Evans Youth Quartet: Live at Wesleyan 1994
20. Angelini-Fonda-Lopez: Silent Cascade
21. ZMF Trio: Circle the Path
22. Fonda/Stevens Group: Trio (Live at Alchemia, Krakow, Poland, April 2006)
23. Michael Musillami Trio w/ Mark Feldman: The Treatment
24. The Nu Band: The Dope and The Ghost (Live in Vienna)