Search - Harry James :: Best of

A Dozen Jewels from the Hi-Fi Remakes

Michael J. Kipp | 08/18/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This increasingly rare issue (pressed to CD in 1990) is comprised of 12 cuts that were enormous instrumental successes for James during the war years, and which Capitol decided to remake in high-fidelity sound. Harry's theme song, Ciribiribin, gets a slightly different treatment, while other tunes are merely augmented by way of the improved sound, including Carnival, the best arrangement Billy May ever wrote (and THAT is saying something). These 1955 sessions have subsequently been released in their entirety by Mosaic Records, in a box set with Gene Krupa's 1950s sessions. The personnel is impeccable as one would expect, including the greatest of all lead trumpeters Conrad Gozzo (who ironically was often compared to James). Love James but wince at those sappy vocals? Nary a songbird appears on this CD, so don't sweat it. (And incidentally, don't feel like too much of a whipper-snapper if you never cared for big band vocals. Many of the folks around during that time had a similar opinion, and the band leaders to a man generally despised singers except as juke-box money-makers .) The Big Band Era was at the end of its heyday by the time these recordings were made, but as you'll hear, Harry James still had something more to give."

Best of Harry James and His Orchestra

Michael J. Kipp | United States | 01/22/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This CD contains an excellent collection of the big band sound and Harry James in particular. Every one is a hit. Harry's trumpet slides through these arrangements and the band is unbelievably in sync.Forty years ago, my dad told me what an excellent performer Harry was (is, back then) and teased me about my lack of music appreciation when I sneered about it. Then some months ago, I picked up this recording and listened. My God! Dad was right! I was an instant convert.Then, one recent afternoon when I had it, my 28 year old daughter paid me an unexpected visit. This CD was on full blast. "Let me turn that down, kiddo. You won't like it." "Pop, leave it on. Where'd you get that? Can you find one for me? Who is that?" Another instant convert.The careful listener will detect some of the challenges it took to remaster this older material, but the sound is more than adequate. Breaks, pops, scratches, and "wows" are almost non-existent.Top notch!"

Beautiful sound quality!

Candace Scott | Lake Arrowhead, CA, USA | 12/24/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Wow! Have I ever heard Harry's trupet blaring so gorgeously? The sound on this CD will astound you, especially everyone who has spent time listening to the James orchestra on vinyl. There are few pops, hisses or buzzes on this recording, it's clean throughout and a total joy.So many "greatest hits" compilations miss the mark either in quality or song selection. But this disc lives up to its billing as the "Best" of the James orchestra. It contains one of the stellar and swingiest tunes of the Big Band era, "Ciribiribin," (though this version is inferior to the more famous "single" version). It's hard to listen to this song and not appreciate the brilliant arrangement and musicianship displayed here. Along with Goodman's "Sing, Sing Sing" and Glenn Miller's "In the Mood" this has got to be in the top ten of any Big Band all-time greatest list.It's a pity that James has been somewhat forgotten today and shoved aside in preference of Benny, Glenn and Artie. Was his band as good as those giants? No, but this disc shows that his band could swing, had a phenomenal musician named Harry whose virtuosity remains amazing. This is a must have album for anyone serious about the Big Band era."