Search - Glenn Miller :: Best of Big Bands

Best of Big Bands
Glenn Miller
Best of Big Bands
Genres: Jazz, Pop
 
  •  Track Listings (16) - Disc #1

The series title is misleading. This isn't the "best" of Glenn Miller by any means, but these recordings from 1935 to 1938 provide an essential view of how he struggled to develop his own sound as an arranger and bandleade...  more »

     
   
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CD Details

All Artists: Glenn Miller
Title: Best of Big Bands
Members Wishing: 0
Total Copies: 3
Label: Sony
Original Release Date: 5/19/1992
Release Date: 5/19/1992
Genres: Jazz, Pop
Style: Swing Jazz
Number of Discs: 1
SwapaCD Credits: 1
UPCs: 074644883121, 0074644883121, 074644883145

Synopsis

Amazon.com
The series title is misleading. This isn't the "best" of Glenn Miller by any means, but these recordings from 1935 to 1938 provide an essential view of how he struggled to develop his own sound as an arranger and bandleader. The earliest tracks come from a pickup session that was highlighted by the trumpet work of Bunny Berigan, but there's already significant creativity in Miller's multidimensional arrangement of "Moonlight on the Ganges," with its contrasting string quartet and muted trombones. The first sessions for Miller's working band, from 1937, emphasize swing more than his later bands would, as is apparent in the sprightly renditions of "I Got Rhythm" and "Community Swing." The arrival of the superb clarinetist Irving Fazola for later sessions makes a significant difference. Fazola was an excellent soloist, with a warm, broad sound, and his clarinet in the reed section suggests the characteristic Miller sound to come. This is a fascinating document, chronicling the early stages of a great musical institution. --Stuart Broomer

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CD Reviews

Miller Before Success
Peter A. Greene | Franklin, PA United States | 05/29/2000
(4 out of 5 stars)

"Miller had been a sought-after arranger and session player-- he had even fronted a band for Ray Noble (to help get around union rules) by the time he decided it was time to lead a band of his own. He put the band together-- and it failed. Yes, Miller's another one of those "overnight successes" who went through a series of failures to finally achieve what he was after. The tale of that first band is here, and the good news is that it was a darn good effort. You can hear Glenn the Arranger on display and catch some of the proto-Millerisms that would later become so well known. many of these charts really kick-- I'll put "I Got Rhythm" up against any hard-driving barn-burner of the period. You don't have to be a serious Miller completist to enjoy these recordings."
Truly an Evolution
rexadog | 04/30/2004
(4 out of 5 stars)

"I'll start by saying that I adore this CD for all the things that it is not. It is not a compilation of the "usual" Glenn Miller favorites (wonderful though they are). This CD truly demonstrates the evolution of the band by letting us listen to Miller's earliest recorded tunes. Was it his "best" work?--Of course not! But listening to this CD offers us a glimpse of what his band would become, and makes you realize how much hard work went into the Glenn Miller signature sound. Highly recommended for anyone who collects Miller's music."
Misleading
rexadog | 06/24/2003
(3 out of 5 stars)

"This Columbia CD says "Best Of Big Bands" , but that's a far cry from the truth. This is one of Miller's early bands where he was still searching and developing that special "sound" he wanted. The cd has some interesting music on it, but it does not contain any of Glenn's well known hit songs, which can be found on the RCA/BMG record label. This Columbia cd is primarily for Miller completists only."