Search - Paul Whiteman :: Linger Awhile

Excellent, but be careful!

Steven Phillips | Ada, OK United States | 01/07/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This ASV dual CD set is a re-issue and combination of prior releases, "Say it with music," and "King of jazz." This set offers no additional material - if you purchase Whiteman recordings watch out for the duplication! The first CD is a retrospective of Whiteman's best work, while the second CD presents his #1 hits on both Victor and Columbia records from 1920 into the 1930s.



As with the earlier release, the song "Stumbling" is supposed to be included, however, it is not. "Stumbling" has been replaced with the unidentified Gershwin hit, "Do it again."



We have such a rich musical heritage that it seems almost a travesty to limit our listening to only one musical genre or period. In dance music, Whiteman (and his arranger Ferde Grofe) blended the syncopation of ragtime, the spontaniety of jazz, and the formal structure of classical music to produce a new and viable form. Also, Whiteman hired only the most accomplished musicians and kept them drilled to performance-perfection. His impact upon popular music is significant but not measurable. Although the oldest of these tracks is now 85 years old, all of the material is superlative and worthy of surviving across the ages.

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