Anthology of Big Band Swing (1930-1955)

Various Artists (Artist) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 26, 1993)
• Original Release Date: October 26, 1993
• Number of Discs: 2
• Label: Verve
• ASIN: B000003N3T
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #20,245 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #4 in Music > Blues > Regional Blues > New York Blues
  • #5 in Music > Jazz > Swing Jazz > Vintage Dance Bands
  • #17 in Music > Blues > Regional Blues > East Coast Blues

Track Listings

Disc: 1

1. Rockin' in Rhythm

2. The House of David Blues

3. Saratoga Drag

4. Savage Rhythm

5. Chant of the Weed

6. St. Louis Blues

7. Rock and Rye

8. Down South Camp Meeting

9. Avalon

10. In the Shade of the Old Apple Tree

See all 20 tracks on this disc

Disc: 2

1. Panassie Stomp

2. Transcontinental

3. Jamaica Jam

4. O. K. For Baby

5. Blues in the Groove

6. Murderistic

7. Swingmatism

8. Savoy

9. Blue River

10. Chicago

See all 20 tracks on this disc

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

29 of 29 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This one's next, July 9, 2000

By 

Robert C. Topper (Richardson, Texas) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Anthology of Big Band Swing (1930-1955) (Audio CD)

OK, so you've acquired a small collection of recordings by the major big bands (Glenn Miller, Benny Goodman, Tommy & Jimmy Dorsey, Artie Shaw, etc.), but you want to know where to go next. This 2-CD set is an excellent choice. Not a true anthology of the whole (first) swing era, since it is limited to what is in the MCA (Decca) vaults and most of the majors recorded for Victor (or its Bluebird label) or Columbia, but there are some great sides here done by many bands often overlooked today. Nowhere else are you going to find Don Redman, Noble Sissle, Teddy Powell and Lucky Millinder on one collection. All of these had hard-swinging bands which deserve to have more of their material released. Even the selections presented here from the major bands are ones you will be unlikely to encounter elsewhere. Glenn Miller did "Peg O' My Heart" long before he had achieved any following and before he had developed the 'Miller sound' (and yes, that's writer and good Miller friend, George T. Simon, sitting in on the drums). I usually pass on big band collections, since I find that I have too many of the same recordings already, but I jumped on this one. Sure, I have some of these on either LP or CD, but there are just too many good bands here. Great liner notes, too, so you can introduce yourself to some of the finest bands you probably never heard of before. (And there's Earl Hines, and Benny Carter, Isham Jones, and Mugsy Spanier, even the Mills Blue Rhythm Band, and ...)

24 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Best Big Band Swing Compilation Around, January 21, 2000

By 

Adin W (Canada) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Anthology of Big Band Swing (1930-1955) (Audio CD)

Its Not often I come across a CD like this one. I am a Swing Dancer, and I dance the "Lindy Hop", a dance created in the 1930's on the Savoy Ballroom in Harlem. I gave it five Stars because EVERY song on this compilation is Great. Unlike some other compilations, the songs are all good quality recordings. A compilation of Big Band Swing Hits means all songs are meant to have a 8 count rhythm, that's what the big band swing era and swing dancing was all about. (The CD set is appropriately titled). If you are expecting contemporary jazz this isn't it but even then you still may find yourself giving it a four star rating =]

19 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Well, almost all of us agree, November 6, 2002

By 

J. C Clark "eanna" (Overland Park, KS United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Anthology of Big Band Swing (1930-1955) (Audio CD)

This is a glorious collection. The cover art is indeed repugnant. And some of the recordings are a little hissy. But the performers sound pretty mean to me.

A good anthology covers the big numbers (though maybe not the biggest) and also uncovers mistakenly overlooked items. This does a good job on that, for the relative novice. And it also moderates between up-tempo and more relaxed performances, so it's not just constant swing. Another tip o' the hat--well-chosen selections. I had never heard of Lucky Millinder when I bought this, nor The Mills Blue Rhythm Band, nor the Casa Loma Orchestra. Those cuts alone made it worth the price--this stuff swings! And I found some new bands to investigate as well....never enough CDs on the shelf!

I found this collection almost perfect. How can anyone say Saratoga Drag doesn't swing....my shoulders gyrate and hips swivel. And I'm an old, non-dancing, rhythm-free guy. Thanks Decca!