All times best recordings
C. B. Senholt | Denmark | 12/15/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"In 1958, the peak of the swinging age in the legendary Savoy Ballroom was 20 years pased. The world has been beboping for a decade and the teens were Rock and Rolling. However, one man had a dream; Gather the cream of the cream from the all the top bands - Dorsey, Lunceford, Goodmann, Basie, Miller, Shaw. Fred Reynolds (RCA Records), succeeded collecting the 18 absolute top big band musicians for a short but glittering moment. During the summer 1958 the band recorded 19 outstanding masterpieces in top HiFi stereo quality that confirm the true Savoy playing technique with the long solos. 9 of these are on this CD and the 10 other are on "More Live Echoes...".
The tracks are true gems and highly sought after by modern day Lindy Hop swing DJs and dancers. Unfortunately, its not possible to give 10 stars.
...DJ SavoyVet"
A phenomenal album, finally available again!
C. B. Senholt | 11/10/1998
(5 out of 5 stars)
"After nearly 40 years, German BMG (RCA) has reissued this incredible Big Band Swing album. This is an all-star American Swing Band that sports incredible performances in high fidelity stereo. This band truly swings like few others, and the charts are gems. Standout songs on this album include Liza (The Clouds'll All Roll Away), The Campbells are Swinging, March of the Toys, and I'm Prayin' Humble, but every song on the album is outstanding. Words cannot describe the incredible energy of Don Lamond's drumming on the Chick Webb style chart of Liza, but the section work and instrumental solos throughout the album are equally superlative. The sequel album "More Live Echoes of the Swinging Bands" is equally good, and a "must have." I bought two copies because I'll probably wear out the first CD. This album merits continuous play by any true swing fan! Don't be dissuaded if you haven't heard of the Big 18 because a real Big Band Swing fan has heard each of these phenomenal sidemen in bands like Jimmie Lunceford's, Duke Ellington's, Woody Herman's, Bob Crosby's, and Tommy Dorsey's---just to name a few. The best of the best---they don't disappoint!"
