Search - Glenn Miller :: Gold Collection

Tarnished "Gold"

Annie Van Auken | Planet Earth | 12/14/2006

(2 out of 5 stars)

"This FINE TUNE edition of Glenn Miller's music suffers from middling condition source material. These are mostly live performances, which is not a problem, for this was an excellent band- in studio, live or otherwise. No, the primary concern here is surface noise. "Little Brown Jug," "Tuxedo Junction," "Deep Purple" and "A String Of Pearls" are awash with crackle and swish. I don't advocate heavy filtering, but nothing less could have saved these badly worn sides.



Additionally, I must question the version of "Begin The Beguine" on this set. Besides having some distortion, it doesn't sound like the Miller boys at all to me, but a string orchestra. Perhaps its inclusion was an error. More egregiously though, the tune opens with a string intro and suddenly jumps into the clarinet solo mid-phrase. Bad edit!



Finally, as to be expected with budget label product, no liner notes are included here beyond a playlist and running times (speaking of which, "Moonlight Serenade" runs a whole 1:23). GLENN MILLER * THE GOLD COLLECTION is proof that even the greatest performers can come off poorly in the wrong record company's hands."