Search - Various Artists :: Only Big Band CD You'll Ever Need

Great music even after all these years

Matthew G. Sherwin | last seen screaming at Amazon customer service | 01/06/2009

(4 out of 5 stars)

"The Only Big Band CD You'll Ever Need isn't completely comprehensive; but as a single CD retrospective it works. The quality of the sound is rather good and the artwork is excellent. We get a good sampler of what made people dance back in the era of the great big bands.



"Chattanooga Choo-Choo" starts the CD off with a huge hit! We get this classic tune performed by some really big names from the big band era: Glenn Miller, Tex Beneke, Paula Kelly and The Modernaires. "Chattanooga Choo-Choo" has a fine side dish of swing that works very well for this number; and Tex Beneke really sings his heart out on this number. "Stompin' At The Savoy" stands out just as brightly; Benny Goodman & His Orchestra never miss a beat and Benny's legendary high standards for quality control produce this marvelous hit. We then get "Take the 'A' Train" by Duke Ellington; and that's grand. "Take The 'A' Train" sounds just as fresh today as when they first recorded it; and the band handles the quick tempo changes very well.



"Tempo And Swing" by Lionel Hampton & His Orchestra packs a full punch that makes you tap your toes even in our times; and listen for "In The Mood" by Glenn Miller & His Orchestra. "In the Mood" was a huge big band hit but no one ever did it any better than Glenn Miller did! "Bill's Mill" showcases the wonderful talents of Count Basie & His Orchestra; "Bill's Mill" may not be as famous or well known as "In The Mood" but it's a fine piece of music anyway. I predict you'll like it.



"Ya Gotta Try" has a great jazz arrangement by Buddy Rich & His Orchestra; and it sounds really good even today. "Ya Gotta Try" is a tune I really like. Of course, Duke Ellington and his mates return to do yet another snazzy number entitled "It Don't Mean A Thing (If It Ain't Got That Swing)." I love it!



"(I've Got A Gal In) Kalamazoo" comes to us courtesy of Glenn Miller & His Orchestra with Tex Beneke, The Modernaires and Marion Hutton. Tex Beneke sang so well; he deserves to be remembered more than he is today. "I'm In The Mood For Love" shines bright as Tommy Dorsey & His Orchestra perform it with panache; the brass is used well on "I'm In The Mood For Love" and this enhances the natural beauty of this number. The CD ends with "Sing, Sing, Sing (With A Swing) (Parts 1 & 2)" by Benny Goodman & His Orchestra; what a great way to end this album!



Although the CD gives us nothing but outstanding big band music; it really isn't the only big band CD you'll ever need. This is best used as a starter CD for people wanting to get better acquainted with big band music so that they can then find more CDs by the specific artists here--and by other artists of the big band era, too.

"

BigBand

E. Sexton | USA | 12/15/2008

(3 out of 5 stars)

"I liked the CD. The only thing I didn't like was that only one of the songs had lyrics and the rest were just instrumental (although I know some of the others had words to them)."

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Professor Emeritus P. Bagnolo | DOWNTOWN NYC/Chic. NM USA | 06/30/2010

(1 out of 5 stars)

"I wanted to buy an album that was close to all inclusive for the Big Band Era, but the ad is deficient and so are the reviews because nowhere did I find any list of all of the music the album includes. So, given that, why would ANYONE buy it? Fix the ad and I may consider it. Only Big Band CD You'll Ever Need"