Serious Fun is the first album by Lester Bowie recorded for the Japanese DIW label and the fourth album by his "Brass Fantasy" group.Jazzlists: DIW Records - CDs 801 to 899, accessed September 22, 2017 It was released in 1989 and features performances by Bowie, Vincent Chancey, Frank Lacy, Steve Turre, E. J. Allen, Gerald Brezel, Stanton Davis, Bob Stewart, Ken Crutchfield, Vinnie Johnson and Famoudou Don Moye.
Reception The AllMusic review by Scott Yanow stated, "Serious Fun is one of the ensemble's earlier records and the material is better than usual... on this particular project it is mostly quite successful and full of Lester Bowie's wit".Yanow, S. AllMusic Review accessed August 12, 2011
Track listing "Papa's Got a Brand New Bag" (James Brown) - 4:40 "Smooth Operator" (Sade, Ray Saint John) - 6:59 "Inflated Tear" (Roland Kirk) - 7:24 "Da Butt" (Marcus Miller) - 6:05 "God Bless the Child" (Arthur Herzog Jr., Billie Holiday) - 14:59 "Don't Worry, Be Happy" (Bobby McFerrin) - 6:32 "Strange Fruit" (Lewis Allan) - 7:54 Recorded at Systems Two, Brooklyn, NY, April 4–6, 1989
Personnel Lester Bowie: trumpet Vincent Chancey: French horn Frank Lacy: trombone, vocals Steve Turre: trombone E. J. Allen: trumpet Gerald Brezel: trumpet Stanton Davis: trumpet, flugelhorn Bob Stewart: tuba Famoudou Don Moye: percussion Ken Crutchfield: drums Vinnie Johnson: drums
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