Search - Whiteman & Crosby :: Victor Masters

The Victor Masters - A masterful effort

Mark A. De Meyer | usa | 01/10/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I don't think there would be any argument that along with Louis Armstrong and Duke Ellington, Paul Whiteman and Bix Beiderbecke were among the 1920's jazz scene's most important artists. Whiteman glamourized jazz with lush orchestral arrangements while Beiderbecke showed that some white folk got the message in the music. This collection is a fine example of two talents pooling their efforts together. Bing crosby was also an integral part of this mix. Vocally, he knew how to swing with the rhythm thus making him one of the greatest jazz singers of the 20th century.
Songs like "Changes", "I'm Coming, Virginia" and "You Took Advantage of Me" capture the aura of those days of speakeasies, flappers and bathtub gin. Later recordings with Mildred Bailey, Johnny Mercer and Jack Teagarden from the 30's are an added plus but I think should have been put out on a second masters set. This set should have been built around that great orchestra of 1927-1928. With musicians like Jimmy & Tommy Dorsey, Joe Venuti, Eddie Lang, Red Nichols, Frank Trumbauer and arrangers Ferde Grofe and Bill Challis, this was the house band of Mount Olympus! If you should see this CD again for sale here and you truly enjoy this style of music or are just curious to know what great musicianship is really like, I urge you to hit the "BUY" button and listen up."