Customer Reviews

Best of Big Bands

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I am so delighted with this CD from the 'Best of the Big Bands' series--great content and great price. I already have a decent collection of Helen Forrest (with various groups) and Goodman. However, these tunes are from 1940-41, after Goodman went through a bit of a shakeup with his band. The addition of Cootie Williams and Billy Butterfield on trumpets, with Dave Tough on drums, added some 'punch' to Benny's sound, even after the departures of Harry James and Gene Krupa. Forrest is terrific, as usual.
Personally, I think there's nothing better than a great swing orchestra, blending sweet vocals with 'hot' solos by the top jazzmen on traks like 'Perfidia' or 'Corn Silk'. I could listen to this stuff all day! I'm just glad that there always seems to something new you can discover from this great era of music.
- canuckteach - swing webcaster (live365.com)

the music on this cd is great - my only complaint: the singers are not adequately identified - i can identify peggy lee and helen forrest but what songs are louise tobin and jane harvey's - their voices are not immediately identifiable - also, who is the male vocalist ? no list of personnel or recording dates - very poor liner notes !

God gave Helen Forrest a voice that should be worshipped as divine. She sings like warm honey, and her sense of timing pulls at your heart. She's passionate and perfect, and an intense pleasure to listen to. That woman was the best thing that ever happened to Benny Goodman, and the man was a [bad guy] to let her go and hire Peggy Lee. Here's to you, Helen! May your voice be recognized as the finely tuned instrument it is, and may it be heard forever by those who can appreciate its beauty!

This is a great two-LP compilation from Columbia Music Treasures (P2M 5193) to add any big bands vinyl collection.