REVIEW: Les Browns Band of Renown - Big Band - Big Talent
by Suselit, posted on Getawaysaver.com Forum

There were several things about the Les Browns Big Band Show that surprised me.

The first was how it REALLY is a BIG Band. So many horns and sax and trumpets and trombones and other instruments that create a rich full sound that is unequaled anywhere in Branson or anywhere else.

The second thing that surprised me was just how hip and funny Bob Anderson is. He is what people used to call a “Crooner”. Bob Anderson mesmerizes all the women when he sings. I can prove that statement within my own group. We ranged from ages of 20s, 40s, 50s, and 60s and as we sat there on the front row we were giddy and giggly while Bob “became” Tom Jones and Englebert Humperdink and Bobby Darin and other great Singers. We are all going to see his Show so we can see more!

The third thing that surprised me was Janna King Evans. Every Big Band needs a Girl Singer and Janna captured that era of the sweet voices like former Les Browns Band Singer Doris Day. Janna added much to the overall enjoyment of Les Browns Show. She is a Major not a minor talent. I think she should be nominated for Branson Female Singer of the Year.

A great bonus was how personable Les Brown Jr. was. He shared wonderful anecdotes of the Big Band Era and of his father and other band leaders and song writers. I found it truly interesting to hear about how things were then. It made me wish I had been alive during that romantic time of Dance Palaces and Ball Rooms and Radio and Swing Music. But at least I got a taste of it today. And I loved it. I heartily recommend this piece of living musical history. It’s clear why the popularity of Big Band Music has endured…it’s fun!
REVIEW: Les Browns Band of Renown - Big Band Bonanza!
posted by Lindsey, on Getawaysaver.com Forum

Can’t say enough about this show! If you even think you might like Big Band music, you should love this show. Les Brown is full of stories and little trivia about the music, but the music is the highlight. You can even dance in the aisles! And many people do!! We did!

Email to Les and the Band

Caught the show in Branson…WOW! Man what a great band! I have not been to a show or concert like that since the Forties.

Met Les Jr. after — what a genuine person. Bought the CD and the video.

I hope this band really scores in Branson. We are there twice a year and I will go both times.

I will end by saying to Les Jr., thank you, thank you, thank you for bringing your band to Branson!

- J. Gaines, Texas

“So many… instruments that create a rich full sound that is unequaled anywhere in Branson or anywhere else”
“Can’t say enough about this show! If you even think you might like Big Band music, you should love this show.”
“Man what a great band! I have not been to a show or concert like that since the Forties.”

Concert Review
by Milan Stojanovich, January 27, 2001

I just returned from a dazzling evening of music with Les Brown (Jr.) and The Band Of Renown at the James Armstrong Theater, Torrance Cultural Center, Torrance, CA and had to share my exuberance! Tickets were sold out. Crowd age 15-90.

First impression, with the exception of a few, most musicians were 60+…and showed their age…in experience! What a BEAUTIFUL tight sound! The horn section was SEAMLESS. Wedged tight and hair of white.

Les Brown Jr. (having a strong resemblance to his late father who just passed away a few weeks ago at age 88) was introduced and counted off into the theme ‘Leap Frog’ and played it in it’s entirety. In fact let me give you the set list (see below).

HIGHLIGHTS:
A perfect arrangement of ‘I’ve Got My Love To Keep Me Warm’, and the horns were 12 walk-in’ like one. Like listening to fine tuned pistons!

88 year old vocalist Butch Stone, who joined the band in 1941, legally blind, swing dancing, sending the audience in stitches with his routine, and practically putting on a one man vaudeville act. Humping the curtain for laughs.

There were plenty of solos and all were applause-getters. Smoothing through Lil’ Darlin’ and again, walking in each others footprints.

Les Jr., gave the audience lots of background on each song, relating well, and led with exuberance and smiling in bliss…you could tell he was having a blast leading herd on this fine, fine orchestra, sometimes leaning backwards like he was resting on the wall of sound being blasted. When his uncle, Les’ brother Stumpy (nicknamed for being ‘vertically challenged’) hobbled up to sing ‘Opus One’, I was quickly reminded of the relevance of the song to this band, the vocals contain a reference to ‘Mr. Les Brown and his Band Of Renown!’. Stumpy is also the band’s Manager and Booker.

This was a night of ageless fun, excellent musicianship, and great songs.

Missing was ‘Joltin’ Joe DiMaggio’ from the repertoire, but let’s save that for the next time! Les is up there at the pearly gates smiling, the band lives on!

SONGLIST

Leap Frog (Theme)
I’ve Got You Under My Skin
Opus One [Stumpy Brown vocals]
Tenderly
Floatin’
I Only Have Eyes For You [Les Brown Jr. vocals]
What A Wonderful World [Les Brown Jr. vocals]
The Lady Is A Tramp [Les Brown Jr. vocals]
Benny Goodman Medley:
Let’s Dance
Stompin’ At The Savoy
Don’t Be That Way
Take The ‘A’ Train
Sentimental Journey [Liz Rhody vocals]
S’ Wonderful [Liz Rhody vocals]
I’ve Got My Love To Keep Me Warm
A Good Man Is Hard To Find [Butch Stone vocals]
Bad Bad Leroy Brown [Butch Stone vocals]

- Intermission -

Little Brown Jug
Lil’ Darlin’
Just In Time
When Dreams Come True
It Had To Be You [Liz Rhody vocals]
The Shadow Of Your Smile [Liz Rhody vocals]
It Could Happen To You
Everybody Wants To Go To Heaven [Butch Stone vocals]
Old Man Time [Butch Stone vocals]
Leapfrog (Reprise)