Is it subtle? No. Is it nuanced? No. Is it sweet and tender or demur and lovely? No, no, no, and no. Why should it be? How could it be? After all, the music on this disc is
Copland's rough, tough, and ready-for-action Billy the Kid and Rodeo Suites coupled with Grofé's big, bold, and exceedingly blunt Grand Canyon Suite: why should it be anything but large and loud and colorful and characterful? And, after all, the performances are by
Morton Gould -- a conductor of considerable skill and unbridled enthusiasm -- and the ensemble known as His Orchestra -- a band of hot-shot New York studio players of consummate technique and unrestrained attitude: why should it be anything but adroit and polished and powerful and passionate? And, most of all, the original recordings were taped by John Pfeiffer (with Joseph Habig in the Grofé) for RCA's Living Stereo series and more vivid and immediate recordings would be hard to imagine -- although some early Black Sabbath records do come close. For listeners who look forward to being knocked into the middle of next week, this disc can't be beat. The inclusion of the Waltz from the complete Billy the Kid ballet is a welcome bonus.